Zen Gardens

The simplicity of a Zen Garden is just beautiful.



Zen gardens (枯山水, karesansui) or rock gardens, are created with little plant material, and have neither pond nor river. This garden has only rock, gravel, sand, and perhaps a few pieces of moss or grass. The dry garden dates back to the Muromachi period, the fifteenth century. Its physical form represents Zen Buddhist philosophy, Zen self-examination, spiritual refinement, and enlightenment. The Zen garden originally was created as an aid to meditation and to teach the principles of the religion.

The reduction of materials concept in the Zen garden to its absolute minimal reflects the Japanese attitude toward the sensitivity to art, beauty, and spaces, in which are often implied rather than stated: The spaces in Zen garden are to be sensed more than viewed!


Zen gardens are regarded as representational of Zen discipline, because the garden is regarded as expressions of individual worlds of thought, therefore, copying was strictly forbidden. Their true meaning lies in the viewer's imagination and interpretation of the abstract symbolism landscape.


The main components that are used in the Karesansui or "dry-landscape" gardens are earth and natural elements. Every stone, plant, wood, or sand spread has meaning and representation in its placement.


In addition to natural elements, some man-made architectural elements can be added. Bridges, pathways, and lanterns are usually found in Zen gardens. Wooden and stone lanterns are chosen over metal because the main focus of a Zen garden is to create a natural atmosphere, a peaceful, balanced environment that is quiet and meditative.


The Japanese Zen gardens often are not to be entered, especially the sand areas of the garden. In the Zen garden, sand represents water, and these areas often were preciously racked into circles that signify water ripples. It is to be viewed from a designated distance.