Japanese zen gardens

Path to peaceful gardening

The term "Zen garden" most often refers to what is more appropriately called a rock garden or dry garden. In Japanese, the term is Karesansui. These gardens are composed mostly—sometimes exclusively—of sand, pebbles, and stones. In some karesansui gardens moss is used. These elements come together to create an abstract representation of nature. Some gardens are designed to represent actual landscapes in Japan and China.

The use of sand or gravel to symbolize water is central to the karesansui garden, the raking of gravel round stones resembling the ripples caused by rocks in water or the way water ripples as it laps up on the shores of islands.

In karesansui gardens, emphasis is placed on the beauty of "empty" space. Often, there will be little adornment aside from the small pebbles raked into waves and a few larger stones. This "emptiness" is designed to give the viewer a feeling of great calm.

Along with the sand and small pebbles in the garden, there are normally a number of larger stones which impact the flow of energy through the space. These larger stones are picked and displayed within the garden with very specific reasons. The shape and placement of each stone holds meaning.

• The body stone (Taidoseki in Japanese) is an upright vertical stone which represents a person or god.

• The Heart stone (Shintaiseki) is a wide, flat stone that serves to connect the different elements of the garden and its surroundings.

• The soul stone (Reishoseki) is low and vertical, with a wide base and a tapered top. This is one of the most important elements of the garden and should be placed somewhat prominently (but, of course, not so prominently that it interrupts the flow of the space).

• The branching stone (Shigyoseki) is the only stone in the garden with a flat top that is wider than the base; it draws together the vertical and flat stones of the garden, while also connecting the garden with the branches of surrounding trees.

• The ox stone (Kikyakuseki) is between the heart and branching stones in height; one end of the stone is higher than the other. This stone is placed in the foreground and acts to unify the other stones

The problem with the term "Zen garden" is that it is a western phrase. Many scholars believe that the term simplifies or even trivializes the complexities of Zen Buddhism. It is the same when we find ourselves in a calm and quiet spot, away from the noise and bustle of our hectic society, and we refer to the place or moment as "Zen." As if all there is to the religion is shutting up and chillin' out. In the worst instances, the word "Zen" is used as a marketing tool by people and companies who work to convince their western customer base that contentment and spiritual enlightenment is something that can be purchased.

The gardens of actual Zen Buddhist monasteries are far more varied than most people know. The gardens around monasteries are often full of an abundance of flora.

In addition, gardens—dry or otherwise—have no direct role in the religion or in the act of meditation. Buddhist monks most often meditate while facing a wall, not a garden of any type. Many monks believe that, because it is not necessary, time spent creating or maintaining a garden would be better served in other ways

That said, Japanese rock gardens can be a wonderful addition to one's life. While not strictly a part of Zen Buddhist philosophy, these gardens are created as places of quiet contemplation, something that most people are sorely lacking.