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ZEN GARDEN
WHAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF
ZEN Zen is a remarkable wisdom tradition. “Zen� is actually shorthand for Zen Buddhism. and it is a path to fully awaken
to your original nature, which is present right here, right now. It is the essence of wisdom and compassion embodied
in spiritual masters like Shunryu Suzuki-roishi It is a living lineage of tradition passed on since the time of the Buddha.
Japan's finest gardens can be found in Kyoto, Kamakura and Tokyo – The cities have been capitals and centers of Japanese culture and religion for centuries.
The gardens, temples, palaces with world-famous gardens have seen times of war, devastating fires, earthquakes and survived until today for you to enjoy.
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S e c r e t G a r d e n s Kyoto, for example, has an unbelievable number of gardens – there are the ones that are in all the guide books and there are
the ones that are lesser known, but nonetheless spectacular. Some of these gardens are only open for a few weeks in autumn or
require reservation a few months in advance. Void of tourist masses, visiting these garden is much more enjoyable.
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The Art of Zen Gardens in Zen buddhism 4
The positive effects of zen gardens and Buddha statues are time tested. However, these two visual aids use very different methods. A Buddha statue triggers
a change in perception that comes from within and zen gardens alter your perception externally. The primary difference is the positive energy en couraged
by a Buddha statue has its roots in virtue and morality. For example, a beautiful Buddha statue is not just a work of art but the zen garden is limited by it’s ambi5
ence. Therefore the ideology behind the zen garden is based in Taoism, not Buddhism. As a result, zen gardens and Buddha statues should remain mutually.
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In Zen Buddhism, art practices, like Zen gardens, play a big role in their method of meditation and understanding. The Zen gardens we currently see today began to make an appearance in Japan around the 11th century outside of Buddhist temples. The purpose of the gardens were to provide the monks with a “place to walk and contemplate Buddha’s teachings.” The design of the garden was supposed to promote a feeling of peace and harmony in a space. It has been said that a special group of monks, called “Ishitate so (stone-setting priest),” would travel around Japan to set up these gardens, drawing inspiration from “Sung paintings that featured gray, white, and black ink.” By the time the 13th century rolled around, Zen gardens were so heavily integrated in Japanese life and culture.
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What Does Koi Fish Symbolize?
Koi Fish Legends Many of the above described symbolic meanings of koi fish stem from the Chinese legend of the Dragon Gate in which a koi fish swam upstream, through waterfalls and other obstacles to reach the top of the mountain. At the top of the mountain was the "Dragon Gate." The legend says that when the koi finally reached the top, it became a dragon, one of the most auspicious creatures in Chinese culture.
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Yin yang Koi Fish
In feng shui, the koi is tied to the yin yang symbol. In fact, the black and white tear drops of the yin yang symbol are said to be representations of two koi, one male and one female. The eye of each teardrop is symbolic of the constant watchful eye of the koi. This pairing of fish is often seen outside the context of the yin yang symbol as well. For example, a pair of koi is often used as a good luck symbol for a happy marriage.
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“The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud�
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In Buddhist symbolism the sacred lotus flower represents spiritual growth, enlightenment and purity of body, speech, and mind. The flower emerges clear and bright into the warmth and light of the sun, like an awakened mind grows naturally towards the warmth and light of truth, love and compassion.
The strong but flexible plant keeps the lotus flower ‘anchored’ but clear above the muddy waters that symbolise impure attachment, craving and ignorance. Scientists recently discovered that the lotus has the remarkable ability to regulate the temperature of its flowers. to around 90 degrees.
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“ IF WE COULD SEE THE MIRACLE OF A SINGLE FLOWER CLEARLY, OUR WHOLE LIFE WOULD CHANGE. ”
The Role of Zen in Japan's Samurai Culture
One of the things “everybody knows” about Japanese history is that the famous samurai warriors were “into” Zen. But is that true, or false? It's true, up to a point. But it's also true that the Zen-samurai connection has been hyped and romanticized out of proportion to what it actually was, especially by authors of popular books about Zen. By the 10th century, the samurai had grown very powerful and effectively controlled most of Japan. The Kumakura Period saw failed Mongol invasions,
political upheavals, and civil war, all of which kept the samurai busy. Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 6th century by a delegation from Korea. Over the centuries several schools of Mahayana Buddhism were imported from mainland Asia, mostly from China. Zen Buddhism — called Chan in China — was among the last of these, reaching Japan initially at the end of the 12th century, in 1191. This first school of Buddhism in Japan was Rinzai. Another school, Soto, was estab-
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lished a few years later, in 1227. Late in the 13th century, samurai began to practice Zen meditation with Rinzai masters. The intensive concentratio of Rinzaistyle meditation can be an aid in enhancing martial arts skills ..and reducing fear of death on a battlefield. Both Soto and Rinzai Zen grew in prominence and influence during the Muromachi Period (1336–1573),when Zen made a huge impact on many aspects of Japanese art and culture. The warlord Oda Nobunaga overthrew the government.
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Into
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intimate details of Japanese culture
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Before the Zen garden existed in its mature form, the Japanese dry garden, with stones, ornaments, and objects that were reminiscent of distant
landscapes and towers, already existed. This combined with the Zen veneration of nature to create the mature form of the Zen garden, a quiet field of
medium-sized gravel, raked into a fresh pattern each day, with large stones reminiscent of mountain landscapes.
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WATER
Elements of the Zen Garden
has a place of choice among the components of a Japanese garden. It contributes to the expression of nature and symbolizes renewal, calm, wonder and continuity in the hereafter. Water is found in many accumulates in the ponds, runs in the treams or tumbles in the cascades.
The Art of Gravel Pattern
cross patterns are static; can represent conflict or change
straight lines can represent journey
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wavy lines represent fluidity and motion
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FENG SHUI
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There are few feng shui cures as popular and as universal in their application as the Laughing Buddha. Used as a feng shui to bring good luck, abundance, happiness, success, good health; any feng shui bagua area can benefit from the sparkling energy of the Laughing Buddha. But first, have you asked yourself why is the Buddha laughing? Aren't Buddhas suppose to be serene and peacefully looking within?
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Apparently not all of them. The Laughing Buddha feng shui symbol is based on the story of a Buddhist monk who lived in the 10th century China. He was a bit too eccentric for a monk, but his heart was loving and open, and in time he came to be loved by many. He is considered a reincarnation of Gautama Buddha (the historical Buddha); and added the often missing energy of lightheartedness, joy, and laughter to everyday life.
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JAPAN
EX PO Zen Tickets
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KANJISCRIPT PRINTED ON SAKE JUGS
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RED AND W HI T E PAGODA TEMPLE
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Japan shuns its Buddhist traditions as temples close
Over the next 25 years, 27,000 of the country’s 77,000 temples are expected to close, in one of the biggest existential crises facing Japanese Buddhism since it was introduced from Korea in the sixth century.
V&A brings Japanese craftsmanship back to life for gallery reopening Its decline mirrors that of hundreds of small communities that have traditionally helped finance their local temple. In a report released last year,
the Japan Policy Council warned that if the exodus, particularly among young women, from rural areas continues at the current rate, almost half of Japan’s municipalities will disappear by 2040, along with their places of
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religious worship. With no parishioners left to pay for their upkeep, temples will have no choice but to close their doors for good, according to Hidenori Ukai, a journalist and depute. head priest of Shogakuji
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THE HARD WORK BEHIND A PERFECT ZEN GARDEN:
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CREDITS Free University of Bolzano - Bozen Faculty of Design and Art Bachelor in Design and Art - Major in Design WUP 18/19 | 1st semester foundation course Project Modul: Editorial Design Design by: Alessandra Colantuoni Magazine | Zen Garden Supervision: Project leader Prof. Antonino Benincasa Project assistants Maximilian Boiger, Gian Marco Favretto Photography: Berenice blanc, Frank green, Josh wilburne, Hoang khanh, Jed adan, Kinsey, Louie Martinez, Michael xu, Minh tan, Olaf scheffers, Orkhan farmanli, Peter Hershey, Ricardo rocha, Riccardo chiarini, Sora sagano, Soroush karimi, Thor alvis, Yu kato, Shuto araki Paper: Glossy paper 200 gr. Glossy paper 250 gr. Fonts: Fujimaru Helvetica Neue Minion Pro Futurist Fixed-width Printed: Bozen-Bolzano, January 2019 Inside pages – Digital Print | Canon Cover – UV-Serigprahy 36