A Zen garden, called karesansui, or dry-mountain-water in Japanese, is a garden that makes use of pebbles or sand to simulate the look and feel of water. When you build a Zen garden, you’ll be converting a few otherwise dull square meters of space into an area that inspires peace and meditation.
The connection between these gardens and Zen Buddhism is largely a myth, as monks actually meditate facing a wall, not a garden, and dry gardens are not exclusive to Zen temples as one may think. That said, there’s no need to look for the profound meaning of Zen gardens – they are late-20th-century creations that have been hyped up in the name of tourism.
In any case, who doesn’t want a well-kept, immaculately tidy Zen garden in their yard? Instead of maintaining a grass lawn, you might want to look at a sea of gravel as alternative landscaping. Zen gardens are designed following the school of thought based on the belief that minimalism is the source of enlightenment, and after a hectic week at work, we need all the ‘enlightenment’ we can get.
It is said that our busy lives are filled with distractions, and a Zen garden helps give our minds the needed respite.
The steps in building your Zen garden:
1. Choose the area you want to convert and create a mold to hold the sand or gravel. One good material are 2” x 4” lumber pieces.
2. Nail these pieces together to complete the form. You may also decorate the wood by staining or painting it with a neutral color.
3. Set black plastic down to keep weeds out. The secret to maintaining a Zen garden is keeping it immaculately clean, and you need to prevent stray weeds from growing right from the beginning.
4. Fill the form you have made with gravel or sand. Keep the layer as even as possible.
5. Create a visually appealing look by choosing large rocks to place around the form. Choose various kinds and colors. They can be smooth, ragged, or even moss covered. You can also place statues or jars, but don’t overdo it as it shouldn’t look cluttered. Keep in mind that you are aiming for a simple and peaceful look.
6. Rake the sand or gravel in long, curvy strokes or circles to simulate water ripples. The great thing about a Zen garden is you can change the patterns anytime you want to.
7. Set an easy chair where you would want to sit and relax, facing your Zen garden. Make sure that the chair is in a shaded area for your comfort.
8. You can even install a mini-fountain in a corner so you’ll have the sound of softly flowing water in the background.
Things to remember
* The garden shouldn’t be too shaded. It must also receive some sunlight.
* Keep it free of debris and too much vegetation.
* Choose your lighting well. Colored lights give a dramatic effect at night.
* The form should be filled with pebbles or sand up to a thickness of at least 2 inches. Anything more shallow would leave unsightly spots after raking.
* The form doesn’t have to be symmetrical; in fact, you can make it adapt to any shape allowable for the space you are targeting.
* Zen gardens and pets don’t mix. Zen gardens are supposed to be areas of tranquility, so don’t stress yourself by having your puppy play around in it. Consider creating it in a space separate from where your pets are allowed to roam free.
