The Zen Garden: Be One with Nature
A Japanese Zen garden is a specialized type of Karesansui rock garden. It is said that the Zen garden was originally intended to be a place where monks could go in order to meditate, but many people choose to create Zen gardens simply for their calming effect. In fact, some people choose to create small versions of Zen gardens to keep on their desks at work or in a special place inside their homes.
Creating a Zen Garden
A Zen garden, whether small or large, is made in the same manner. First, sand is added to a shallow sandbox. Larger rocks, gravel, and even grass are then added inside the box. There are many different interpretations of what each of these elements symbolize. Perhaps the most popular interpretation of the gravel is that it represents the ocean and the rocks, therefore, symbolize the islands of Japan. Another interpretation, however, is that the rocks represent a mother tiger and her cubs, who are swimming to a dragon. Another interpretation says the rocks form part of the Japanese writing system of kanji for heart or mind.
Maintaining a Zen Garden
A large part of the calming effect of the Zen garden actually takes place in maintaining it. The raking of the gravel within the Zen garden and the continual movement of its elements are both soothing and symbolic. The process of designing and maintaining the Zen garden represents the belief that the perfect garden is not static. At the same time, the raking is to be completed in a fashion that does not allow the gardener to walk where he or she has already raked. Therefore, this type of maintenance cannot be completed in a thoughtless or careless manner. Yet, the goal is to be capable of completing this task while in the "no mind" state of mind.
The Controversy of the Zen Garden
While the Zen garden has been popularized as a creation of Zen monks, many Japanese scholars disagree. In fact, the first appearance of the term "Zen garden" was found in a book written in the western world. In addition, Japanese Zen monks nearly always meditate indoors while facing either a wall or the center of the room. And, the sutra calls for meditation to take place after giving up "this worldly life of making business and gaining profit, as well as growing vegetables." Therefore, the idea that a Zen monk would create a garden for the purpose of meditation is unlikely. Nonetheless, Zen gardens are a popular form of gardening that have proven to be both aesthetically pleasing and relaxing for many gardeners, in both the west and in the east.