A STUDY ON THE JAPANESE GARDENS VIEWED FROM THE TEACHINGS OF THE RINZAI ZEN BUDDHISM

Case Study on the Ryoanji Garden, Kyoto

Abstract

The Ryoanji Garden is composed of a pond, a fountain and various stones; all of them are characteristic of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism. This garden did Gensho Giten, the founder of this Ryoanji temple, build in order to enhance the essence of the Myoshinji school.
The subject of this garden means the Buddha himself who originates in Zen texts, such as the Soeishu, Hekiganroku, and Gokeshoshiisan.
The conception of it is the “realization of our inner Buddha-nature” originating in the 7th Kean of the Hekiganroku-the Meaning of the Buddha Asked by Echo.
Its formation means the “freedom from literal attachment “and the” transmission of the Buddhamind beyond his teachings” coming from the 18th Koan of the Hekiganrokuthe Stupa of No-form by Echu-kokushi-and the Answers of National Teacher Echu in the Soeishic, and Mitsuan Kantetsu in the Gokeshushrsan.