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Japanese Viewing Gardens
Store the whole world
in a grain of millet.
Zen Haiku
The most significant idea that should be mastered is the thought that the whole of the universe is contained even in its smallest part, as the haiku above suggests. A Japanese viewing garden is a statement of this idea as it acts as a summation of nature - of its parts, of its binding energies.
As westerners, many of us have somehow gotten the idea that bigger is better. That in order for something to make a statement is must be "impressive".
A Japanese viewing garden causes us to pause and really look at what is being presented to us. There are few distractions; no further place that we can run to in order to say that we have "seen" it all.
Yet how many of us actually do see? We might look and see colors, the type of plants, etc, but do we pause and reflect? Do we look with our spirit?
This is the essence of a Japanese viewing garden.
To a perfect viewing garden, nothing can be added, nor can anything be taken from it without diminishing its effect.
A Story
Sen-no-Rikyu, a tea master from the 16th century, built a garden enclosed by a tall hedge that blocked the view of the sea. The client for whom the garden was built was unhappy - until he bent to wash his hands in the water basin. The sea then became visible in a gap between the hedges, and the client smiled.
As the tea master had hoped, the client realized the intent behind the design. By containing the whole view within a small gap, the client was able to make the connection between the water in the basin and the great ocean, and thus between himself and the infinite universe.
Suppliers
SerenityHealth - has traditional hand-carved granite basins and Japanese granite fountains.
Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs - perfect timing for your spring bulb planting.
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