Session 2 - June 14

[Betsy Ures]

I have spent a few days at the Huntington Gardens especially enjoying the Japanese and Chinese Gardens. One thing that students would enjoy is identifying the way water and plants intereact with built structures. For example, the Chinese Garden has a large pond that is filled with lotus flowers and stones. Students can do some sketches of the different natural elements and discuss their drawings and add color upon return to campus.

[Miguel Diaz]

It was interesting to learn that in the early Zen monasteries all gardens were wet gardens, and that the transition to dry gardens resulted from war and/or economic upheavals. The Zen rock gardens were created to inspire calmness of the mind and to emulate the islands in the ocean. It was also interesting to learn how the gardens also served as foregrounds to backdrops of nature such as forests and mountains. I have recently replaced the wood chips around my house, and in part of my backyard, with small pebbles to emulate a Japanese Zen Garden. The simplicity of my new landscaping really does inspire calmness.

[Miguel Diaz]

Hi Nia,

You brought up some great points on sustainability and on the need to learn from indigenous building practices. I agree with your point that rebuilding the massive wooden structures in Japan is an unsustainable process. I wonder what alternative materials can be considered for future use? I also use many examples of Zen practices in my classroom -- in efforts to inspire my students to consider a more sustainable and dimple way of living.  

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