Japanese garden - Zen decoration for meditation

Among the numerous roles of decorative art , when Zen practice comes into play, is the ability to transpose Buddhist essence, history and philosophical concepts into materiality. Zen is nothing but meditation. Therefore, Zen art has the role of connecting you to your divine self, providing an individual and unique experience, not always predictable or possible to translate into words.

There are many paths to meditation , from simple silence to more intense physical practices like Yoga , all of which allow you to access inner peace and serenity from the awareness of being whole in the present moment. This is how the zen garden works, the style of Japanese garden focused on spirituality with the practice of Zen Buddhism precepts.

The Japanese garden is one of the most important elements of Japanese art and architecture, found throughout Japan sharing space with monuments, temples and tea houses. It developed from the medieval Asuka period in the 6th century with the migration of Chinese into Zen monasteries after the fall of the Song dynasty and the introduction of Buddhism to Japan.

Over time, different styles of Japanese gardens were designed with Chinese influence and classified according to the terrain that forms the natural setting of the garden. Three styles stood out, making landscape architecture and Zen Buddhist practice inseparable: karesansui , tsukiyama and chaniwa .

Chaniwa tea gardens are more rustic and very common in the interior and exterior environments of Japanese teahouses , being marked by the presence of Japanese stone lanterns ( ishidoro ), a basin ( tsukubai ) to purify hands and mouth, as well as a path winding stonework ( roji ) to separate you from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and prepare you for the serene and harmonious environment of the tea ceremony ( chanoyu ).

The tsukiyama refer to the artificial hill gardens, the favorite of Japanese landscaping . They are classically styled with a natural setting enriched by lakes, symbolizing life and purity; fish, representing prosperity; bridges ( taiko bashi ) representing spiritual ascension; and vegetation showing the cycle of life.

The karesansui - also known as rock garden, flat garden ( hiraniwa ) or zen garden - is very common in Buddhist temples , whose simplicity of the few elements reinforce the minimalist aesthetic focused on contemplation. With the popularization of Zen in the 14th century and the appreciation of art between the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, the garden became a space that expressed the Buddhist worldview. He represents the human mind and integrates the universe and the individual with Zen Buddhist values ​​through meditative practice .

The impermanence and purifying capacity of water are represented by sand (or gravel), so that drawing temporary shapes with the rake symbolizes the waves ( samon ) of the “sea of ​​sand” that flow transforming the intentions of meditation and teaching about the transience of life. The stones, in turn, symbolize the mountains, personifying obstacles to be overcome or issues that need to be worked on in order to evolve.

As with most Buddhist arts , the Zen garden was designed alongside architecture to inspire reflection and teach the way to access Buddha-nature. However, the popularization of this form of meditation made it more accessible by reducing it to miniature and transforming it into decorative art aimed at well-being and balance.

The space contemplated by the zen decoration is harmonized by it, inspiring peace and tranquility. Many pieces have more elements than the traditional Zen garden , such as a rake, censers , candle holders , sculptures of Buddha or Buddhist monks , among other oriental symbols that enhance the energy of art, radiating good vibes throughout the environment.

Japanese gardens aren't just for outdoors , and they don't have to be big and fixed either. The main thing is that by modifying the design of the garden you can meditate and access the divine in you. Find inspiring pieces in our online store that will transform your Zen practice !

Namaste!

Milene Sousa - Art & Tune