what are zen gardens?

Answer 1

A karesansui , Japanese rock garden, or Zen garden is an enclosed shallow sandbox containing sand, gravel, rocks, and occasionally grass or other natural elements. The main elements of karesansui are rocks and sand, with the sea symbolized not by water but by sand raked in patterns that suggest rippling water. Plants are much less important (and sometimes nonexistent) in many karesansui gardens. Karesansui gardens are often, but not always, meant to be viewed from a single, seated perspective, and the rocks are often associated with and named after various Chinese mountains.

Answer 2

basically the above answer is close. a zen garden has 5 boulders arranged in a way you cannot see all at the same time they simulate land formations, they are surrounded by a simulated body of water which is the raked sand. the raking is not the attraction of the garden it represents the rippling waters. raking the gravel or sand is merely "upkeep". the purpose of this type garden is purely for mediation. its stark therefore leaving the senses open to passing thoughts in order to clean the mind and bare it self to the meditative person. you may enjoy putting in a search for the beautiful Kyoto gardens in Japan . spectacular !!

Answer 3

Zen gardens come from Japan.They are mostly just raked stone or sand areas with large feature rocks and plants that grow to a ''scale''.

Answer 4

I beleave that the type of garden you refer to has large rocks and some form of running water all surrounded by a bed of pebbles which are raked into patterns,mainly cicular, it is said that the raking action has a very calming effect on the mind and body