What Are Zen Gardens Used For?

• Zen gardens incorporate several elements including water, bridges and stone. Reggie Casagrande/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Using Zen gardens in the practice of Zen Buddhism builds upon the ancient Japanese art of garden-making, a practice transformed by Zen monks into temple gardening. "Dry gardens," which originated in 12th-century Zen monasteries, use symbolism to help achieve enlightenment, the ultimate goal of Zen Buddhists. Zen gardens retain their original purpose for practicing Buddhists; however, modern popularization of Zen gardens makes the meditative appeal attractive to a broader audience.

Understand Zen Philosophy

• The Zen garden is the embodiment of Zen Buddhism. These gardens help people understand Zen philosophy through considering the meaning of eight elements: bridges, plants or flowers, trees, islands, water and waterfalls, sand and stones. Each element has a distinct purpose and symbolism. For instance, sand means water in the Zen garden and bridges mean transition. The stone has several meanings, both in its type and position in the garden, and is one of the most important symbols in Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhists practice their religion by designing, creating and maintaining a Zen garden. The garden encourages mindfulness, an important achievement on the road to enlightenment.

Meditation and Contemplation

• Zen gardens created by Zen priests came to be known as contemplation gardens. Beyond manipulating the symbolic elements, a person enjoys the beauty and peace of the garden as a place to meditate and contemplate Zen philosophy. For example, raking the sand to imitate water is both meditative and life-affirming since water brings life to the garden.

Self-Examination

• Zen gardens are highly personal creations intended to represent a person's thoughts. The creator's interpretation of the symbolism and imagination found in viewing and creating the garden gives the space its true meaning. Copying another's garden was forbidden in the ancient practice of Zen garden creation. The gardens provide a mood of escape and enclosure through boundaries made of walls, stones or other markers.

Peace and Relaxation

• People who enjoy Zen gardens, some of whom are not Zen Buddhists, find peace in the creation, viewing and maintenance of their gardens. Zen gardens may be life-sized landscapes or the popular desktop versions. The symbolism and personal nature of the garden provides relaxation for some people. Others find beauty in the design of Zen gardens with their ponds, bridges and rock elements.