The Rock Garden by sandra46

Photography • Landscape • posted on Jul 14, 2009

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Description

I have always been fascinated by Buddhist thought and, in particular by its Japanese variant, Zen philosophy. It's interesting to see how the gorgeous, almost exaggerated exuberance of Indian Buddhism may be different from the highly abstract, extremely essential representations of Japanese Zen. Possibly nothing can explain what I mean better than the Rock garden of the Japanese section of the Botanical Gardens in Montreal. Unfortunately we didn't see the Chinese garden, to make a comparison, because at that time we were walking on our four paws, and in any case the guardians were threatening to use us as fodder for the carnivorous plants if we didn't go out at closing time immediately. The Japanese rock gardens (karesansui) or dry landscape gardens, are often called Zen gardens because they were influenced mainly by Zen Buddhism. The dry garden appeared in the Muromachi period (1392-1568). Using neither ponds nor streams, it makes symbolic representations of natural landscapes using stone arrangements, white sand, moss and pruned trees. Karesansui gardens can be extremely abstract and represent miniature landscapes that are also mind-scapes. There is no water present, but gravel or sand, raked or not raked, that symbolizes sea, ocean, rivers or lakes. The act of raking the gravel into a pattern recalling waves or rippling water has an aesthetic function. Zen priests practice this raking also to help them focus their concentration. Stone arrangements and other miniature elements are used to represent mountains and natural water elements and scenes, islands, rivers and waterfalls. Stone and shaped shrubs are used interchangeably. Moss may be used to create the idea of a forest. Thank you for your kind comments.

Comments (35)

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ShadowsNTime

8:51PM | Tue, 14 July 2009

I love Zen gardens! This is super Sandra and great info! The three stones for me represent the triology. These gardens are made all over the world with focused prayer in mind, not just for Buddahists but thats the origin...

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myrrhluz

9:34PM | Tue, 14 July 2009

beautiful & informative. Great shot.

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pops

9:41PM | Tue, 14 July 2009

Fantastic photo and information

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schonee

10:09PM | Tue, 14 July 2009

Excellent zen garden! Great capture

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danapommet

10:12PM | Tue, 14 July 2009

Very peaceful and great narrative. Dana

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magnus073

10:20PM | Tue, 14 July 2009

Lovely capture Sandra and reminds me of one I visited in Guadalajara some time back

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mgtcs

10:23PM | Tue, 14 July 2009

Wow...Fantastic capture, love this one! 10+FAV

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MOSKETON

10:48PM | Tue, 14 July 2009

FANTASTICA IMAGEN, ME ENCANTA.

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Osper

11:43PM | Tue, 14 July 2009

Very interesting shot! Great capture!

MrsLubner

12:31AM | Wed, 15 July 2009

a dynamic shot. I am also one who find Buddhism to be a peaceful path. Wonderful b/w that conveys the calm of Zen.

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Umbetro38

12:52AM | Wed, 15 July 2009

for me Poesie

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erlandpil

1:04AM | Wed, 15 July 2009

Fantastic photo erland

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brycek

1:32AM | Wed, 15 July 2009

Fantastic capture!!

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bmac62

1:37AM | Wed, 15 July 2009

I have always marveled at these gardens and wondered how you rake yourself out without leaving any traces of footsteps. Looking at this tonight also reminds me of Terragen digital landscapes and golf course bunkers. How's that for diverse thinking:-)

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lyron

1:48AM | Wed, 15 July 2009

Splendid image!!

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BessieB

2:03AM | Wed, 15 July 2009

A peaceful image, I too was like Bill and before reading your narrative thought it was a terregen creation. You did give me a giggle just visualising you and Flavia being dragged out of the gardens by your feet clinging on to your camera's crying "just one more photo"!!!!

West_coaster07

2:28AM | Wed, 15 July 2009

Excellent capture!!

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