Garden Fantastic

About Zen Gardens (from AsianArtMall.com)

The Zen garden has a long and impressive history and in fact, there are several different types of Zen garden. The most famous is the dry garden, which is called Karesansui. This word translates into “dry mountain, and water garden” and to create the look, rocks and gravel are used.

This type of Zen garden is designed in such a way that the raked gravel resembles water. Then to create the look of water flowing, small rocks, pebbles, and sand are used. Often in the dry Zen garden, you will see one large rock that is the predominant feature. This rock is representative of the mountains that tower over the countryside. With this type of garden, it is believed that the stillness of the “water”, being the gravel is the peace and tranquility of the mind. In ancient China, Zen priests would take the majestic view of the mountainside and create the Zen garden based upon Shakkei, which translates to “borrowed scenery”.

Another type of Zen garden is one that is lush and green, and interestingly, would often be designed as a compliment to the dry Zen garden. This type of garden creates a magical illusion of a long journey found within a specific space. Many of the gardens have paths that meander through the garden, making their way around beautiful trees and shrubs as well as over streams and near waterfalls and statues. Each twist and turn of the path is designed to keep the individual’s mind on the spiritual journey.

The Zen garden has been a major part of history for centuries. However, they did not evolve into what we know them to be until the late 6th Century. Most of the early Zen gardens were quite large and provided the opportunity for Buddha Priests to stroll throughout the garden. Then in the 11th Century, the dry landscape was adopted. It was then in the 13th Century that the principles of the Zen garden were finally established to what we know them to be today.

You might hear people refer to a Zen garden as a Strolling Garden, Dry Garden, Japanese Garden, and other names, which are all aspects or have a connection to the Zen garden. The purpose of the Zen garden is to provide a place of meditation and contemplation. When the Zen garden was first created by a Zen priest, it was actually called a Contemplation Garden, or Kansho-niwa. It was here in the United States that the term “Zen” began.

The nice thing about a Zen garden is that you do not need to have a huge piece of property to create one of your own. In fact, there is even Zen gardens so small they can fit on an office desk. It is not about the size of the garden but the elements. Whether creating a Zen garden inside your home or outside, you will feel the peace and tranquility projected from this type of garden.

How to Make a Zen Garden (from Wikihow.com)

Making a beautiful Zen garden can be just as peaceful and fulfilling as having one. Such a refuge can be placed in nearly any space, ranging from large, sweeping gardens that encompass acres to tiny, desktop gardens that take up no more room than a notebook. Here's how to create a constantly changing work of art that is visually pleasing with clean, flowing lines and carefully placed objects.

Steps

1. Decide how large you want to make your Zen garden. Assess your available space. Are you going to make a garden that fills up part of your backyard, or are you going to start with a Zen garden to place on your desk? The steps are the same, the scale will just be different.
2. Create a mold to contain the sand and/or gravel. Sand or gravel generally form the matrix of a Zen garden, and to keep it looking sharp, you need the matrix to be contained. If you are making a large garden, consider using 2”x4” pieces of lumber, old railroad ties, or any other type of wood. If you are making a desktop Zen garden, simply gather and cut enough wood to make a small container.
   Nail, screw, or glue together your form. After you have completed your form, you can decorate the wood by painting, staining, or varnishing it.
3. Place a weed retainer, such as black plastic, down prior to setting your Zen garden mold. Zen gardens receive much of their appeal from their cleanliness. Keeping out weeds is a must for outdoor gardens.
   Fill the form to the top with sand or gravel. Spread the sand or gravel evenly and as level as possible. For a small desktop garden, you might be able to buy sand in small bags at a local pet shop or aquarium supply store. For larger gardens, call the local rock shop, quarry, or landscaping supply company.
4. Put selected features in your Zen garden to set a visually stimulating theme. Consider using old, mossy logs, rocks with interesting colors, shapes or textures, or other items. Place them off-center and partially submerged for the best effect. Zen gardens generally include natural items made of wood, rock and vegetation, but don’t be afraid to add statues or other additions. Just don’t clutter your Zen garden. Remember, you want it to be peaceful and simple.
   Rake the sand or gravel in long, curving strokes to represent water ripples. You can use a number of patterns to accentuate your garden, and the nice thing is that you can change it as many times as you like!
5. Sit back and enjoy your Zen garden, and look forward to working in it to relax.

Tips

• Have enough sand to completely fill your form to a depth of at least 2”. If the sand is too shallow, it will look unsightly after raking.
  Try your best to keep your Zen garden free of clutter, vegetative material and debris. A clean garden will accentuate the flowing lines and carefully placed objects.
• Consider adding selectively placed lighting, either by flame or by electricity. Colored bulbs will add another dimension to your Zen garden, especially at night!
• Don’t be afraid to try new raking patterns or to add and remove items. Your Zen garden can be as adaptable and ever-changing as your desires!
• Take a field trip to a Zen garden to get ideas for yours.
• Go to a local rock shop to find unique items to add to your Zen garden
• Remember, Zen gardens do not have to be square or symmetrical, and your additions do not have to follow any official placement requirements. Make a Zen garden that is visually stimulating and mentally pleasing to you.

Warnings

• Most pets and Zen gardens do not mix; the same can be said for many children. Remember, your Zen garden is supposed to be a place of peace, not stress, so locate your garden appropriately
• Weeds can ruin a Zen garden in no time. Take the precautionary measures to avoid nasty weed problems.

Things You'll Need

• Forms for your Zen garden (whether they be big or small)
• Nails, Screws or wood glue to keep the forms together
• Saw (to cut and create your form)
• Sand or stones (depending on the scale, small = sand, larger = stone)
• Rocks and/or logs
• Polished pebbles and other amendments
• Rake
• Lighting (optional)
• Patience