| For all those who know little about gardening, Zen | | | | A Zen garden is an aesthetic arrangement of stones |
| garden is a term used for Japanese rock gardens, | | | | with little vegetation, water or other elements at a |
| moisture-free, made-of-stones, dry kind of gardens - | | | | first glance. But on careful observation, we |
| To a certain extent this is correct, but giving due | | | | understand that they represent the elaborate |
| consideration to the other concepts associated with | | | | equilibrium of contraries and the apprehension of the |
| the word Zen, the phrase Zen garden has a profound | | | | world as a dialect continuum. |
| philosophical impact. It is a special form of artistic | | | | For example, how can one express nothingness 'mu', |
| gardens so intense, that the great mathematicians | | | | more dramatically than by taking water out of a |
| and neurologists too have attempted to explain the | | | | garden? Zen garden, is thus a metaphorical |
| idea. | | | | representation of the concepts of Zen. The exclusion |
| Zen. The Mystery | | | | of water is not its denial, it is in fact a more potent |
| Now that your curiosity is aroused, I will try to | | | | assertion as it is done metaphorically. |
| explain more about this type of garden and its | | | | The significant aspect of a Zen garden is that the |
| impacts on visitors. The first question that needs to | | | | rocks form subliminal images of objects like trees, |
| be answered is, what is Zen? Many associate it with | | | | lakes, ponds etc. which can not be perceived while |
| Japanese Buddhism. Well, this again is partly true, and | | | | looking consciously at them, but the subconscious |
| indeed Zen Gardens originated from Buddhist | | | | mind is able to observe a subtle association between |
| monasteries and temples around 1300 AD by Zen | | | | the rocks. While viewing, the distinction between |
| priests and artists, prominently Muso Soseki. Some | | | | subject & object, and viewer & viewed is blurred. |
| people think that Zen is an interpretation of the | | | | This results in the garden being a source of strength, |
| Buddhist concept of enlightenment, and this may be | | | | courage, fortitude, tranquility, serenity, peace. |
| close to the truth as well. Zen plays an important role | | | | Another specialty is that none of of them have been |
| in many Japanese concepts and aspects. | | | | created by one person, epitomizing the aspect of |
| Actually Zen means waking up to the present | | | | parts forming a whole. |
| moment. That is, perceiving this moment exactly as it | | | | Although these gardens have been engulfed with |
| is, rather than through the filter of our ideas, opinions, | | | | controversies and criticism, there is no denying their |
| etc. And this is what is reflected in a Zen garden. | | | | impact on the viewers and the inherent creativity. |
| Examples | | | | The philosophy of these gardens can be summarized |
| - Royanji Temple in northwest Kyoto, Japan. | | | | in the poetics of Karesansui: ' Flower does not Talk |
| - Nanzenji Zen Garden in Kyoto, Japan. | | | | but a Rock has the Voice of Water. |
| The Philosophical Impact | | | | |