| A Zen garden is basically a sand garden with rocks, | | | | Zen Garden Principles and Practices |
| gravel and occasionally other natural elements such as | | | | A symbolic river (and boulders) made from sand |
| grasses. They usually do not feature concrete water | | | | suggests rivers and mountains as a place to create a |
| fountains or anything that is manmade. Although that | | | | quiet place for contemplation. A concrete water |
| is not to say concrete fountains can't be added for | | | | vessel spilling out water may be used to create this |
| additional impact. A Zen garden is a place to sit and | | | | illusion. |
| unwind or to meditate. | | | | Zen gardens contain quiet minimalist features with |
| The most famous Zen garden is the | | | | curving flowing lines and shapes with few visual |
| Ryōan-ji Temple located in Kyoto, Japan. | | | | distractions. They allow one to slow the pace, to |
| The monks of the temple maintain this ancient Zen | | | | discard the day's chaos and to calm down. The space |
| garden. Concrete water fountains are not found here. | | | | becomes a sanctuary. There can be a focal point, a |
| The simple design is done in monochromatic shades | | | | sculpture or concrete water fountain that engages |
| of brown. The most interesting feature of this Zen | | | | the mind and eyes, which in turn releases the day's |
| garden are the 15 rocks arranged on the surface of | | | | tension. This is a Zen meditation technique in action. |
| white pebbles in such a manner that visitors can see | | | | The feng shui principles also advocate gently flowing |
| only 14 of them at once, from whichever angle the | | | | paths around and through the garden, with no dead |
| garden is viewed. According to legend, only when | | | | ends or right angles. Simplicity and harmony are the |
| someone attains spiritual enlightenment as a result of | | | | basic design elements especially in the concrete |
| deep Zen meditation can he see the last invisible | | | | water fountains. To learn more about fung shui |
| stone with his mind's eye. To find unique and | | | | garden design with the incorporations of fountains |
| distinctive concrete water fountains visit | | | | visit |
| The Simplicity of a Zen Garden | | | | Taking a Zen Garden One Step Further |
| The main elements of a Zen garden are always rocks | | | | By observing nature you can replicate it even with |
| and sand, with the sea symbolized not by water but | | | | concrete water fountains. The addition of a water |
| by sand raked in patterns that suggest rippling water. | | | | feature heightens its restful quality. The flow and |
| Plants are much less important (and sometimes | | | | murmur of water are known to calm and inspire and |
| nonexistent) in many Zen gardens. Zen gardens are | | | | have been used that way for thousands of years. |
| often, but not always, meant to be viewed from a | | | | Properly designed water features, with plants, frogs, |
| single, seated perspective, and the rocks are often | | | | fish, and continually moving water won't be a |
| associated with and named after various Chinese | | | | mosquito-breeding ground. A garden's pond-less |
| mountains. Some Zen gardens employ a | | | | waterfall with moving water provides all the benefits |
| concrete-water-way or a small concrete water | | | | of water without large tracts of land, making it ideal |
| fountain for additional tranquility. | | | | for city dwellers. And it is important (that the garden) |
| With this type of design, less is more, and it's | | | | is harmonious with the neighbors as well as yourself. |
| essential to keep it simple - even the concrete water | | | | Regardless of the type of Zen garden chosen, all the |
| fountains should have simple lines. Creating calming, | | | | elements that go into making it - color, plants, hard |
| restful, and soulful Zen gardens is a way of | | | | structures, the concrete water garden and |
| introducing nature into our lives and can help balance | | | | ornaments - need to blend comfortably to form a |
| our hectic urban existence. For more ideas on | | | | peaceful garden that delights the physical senses with |
| beautiful concrete water fountains check out | | | | the sound, smell, and sight. |