CLF Connections, Summer -Zen garden

Church of the Larger Fellowship
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Discover the Zen Garden
An Intergenerational Activity by Laura Cavicchio

"Entering a garden, we find ourselves slowing down, surrounded now by growing things. A garden frames certain things in nature which might otherwise be overlooked. We see contrasts, rough and smooth, delicate and tough and we have the opportunity for contemplations of earth's beauties. Surrounded by all this, it may be ourselves that we meet."
From Notes on Zen Gardening
By Abd al-Hayy Moore

The tradition of Zen, the mystical branch of Buddhism, became established in Japan in the 12th century. In Zen, as in the Taoist way, rocks symbolized the sacred mountains where the Immortals lived. Zen gardens were first built on the grounds of monasteries as a means of replicating holy dwelling places, and to provide space for the religious imagination to connect with a higher harmony and tranquility. They were rectangular in shape and composed of carefully selected rocks positioned alone or in groups, surrounded by flat gravel raked into straight, wavy, or circular patterns. The pathway to spiritual enlightenment was sought through the isolation and stark contrasts of basic elements of space and nature. The most famous, most visited of the Zen gardens is the Ryoan-ji, built in Kyoto in 1488.

Unlike conventional gardens where people walk, work, or play, the Zen garden exists for contemplation. Nature is represented symbolically. It is a garden of the mind, a place to awaken the primal consciousness hidden within us. The rocks are limited to colors of solid or streaked gray, black, or greenish black, and chosen for their resemblance to things in nature, such as trees, mountains, fire, waterfalls, turtles, or a likeness to the Buddha. Gravel, either white or gray in color, is raked to resemble pools or other bodies of water. Like islands in a stream, the rocks convey a sense of timelessness; the garden is a unique kind of encounter.

MAKING MINIATURE ZEN GARDENS
by Laura Cavicchio

This is the perfect outdoor summer activity – at the beach, or in your own backyard. Zen 'gardening' is also a perfect contemplative activity for spiritual retreat.

You will need:

Small trays, one for each participant. The foam fruit/vegetable kind are fine, preferably the deep ones. Even better are the plastic trays that prepared sushi comes in at the supermarket. If these are not available in your area, check your party or crafts supplier.
A supply of plastic forks – one for each participant.
Sand that you have shoveled into a communal bucket, or that you buy at a garden center.
Rocks – it's best if participants can gather their own – small enough for the trays.
Plastic bags to 'save' the Zen gardens, or return the natural elements to the environment.

What to do:

Gather participants into a circle, preferably in an outdoor setting. Set a tone of reverence by creating quiet space with a visual focus, such as some unusual rocks, shells, or driftwood. Begin by invoking our 7th principle, "As Unitarian Universalists, we affirm and respect the interdependent web of which we are a part." Describe the Zen garden, its tradition and significance, as detailed on the previous page.
Introduce a tray for each participant. Ask participants to fill trays with sand and to rake the sand smooth with the plastic fork, slowly and attentively.
Talk about rock selection, which may involve leaving the group temporarily. The quantity of rocks should be limited, since open space is also an important element in the Zen garden. Foster an attitude of reverence for nature, its rhythms and spirit, by encouraging the gardeners to take their time in choosing a variety of sizes and shapes, including rocks that remind them of other natural forms, such as mountains, trees, or animals.
Demonstrate the positioning of rocks to create a miniature landscape, and how to rake around the rocks with straight, swirling, or circular patterns to simulate water. Gardeners are free to change the garden whenever they wish – but sand must be leveled and raked each time.
To finish, share the experience with one another – feelings, thoughts, sensations, insights, and ideas. If you wish, close with a poem from the next page, or take some time to write a Haiku.

Connections Summer Contents

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Last updated May 24, 2002 by clf@uua.org