Spirit of Place, Place of Spirit, Spiritual experience in Japanese Zen temple gardens
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Bachelor's thesis
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Date
2017
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Mcode
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
55+7
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Abstract
In this bachelor thesis I studied the connection between spiritual experience and landscape design in the context of Japanese Zen temple gardens. My aim was to understand how the spirit of Zen is expressed trough landscape design, and on the other hand, how Zen gardens enable further spiritual experience such as enlightenment. Trough understanding the connection between spiritual experience and landscape design in this context, I hoped to gain a more universal understanding on the topic. This thesis was concluded as a literature review. I studied the elements of Zen Buddhism and Japanese temple gardens both separately and in relation to each other. My main focus was on Muromachi era (1336-1573) Zen temple gardens, from which I chose two for further study. The two example gardens were Saihō-ji and Ryōan-ji, both situated in Kyoto. Trough this study I was able to conclude some main forms of spiritual expression in Saihō-ji and Ryōan-ji. I was also able to point out some main elements of Zen temple gardens, that can enable spiritual experiences. However, I also discuss whether a mere repetition of these elements contributes to a harmonious and spiritually inspiring space. In this thesis I will point out a deep connection between the harmonious form of Japanese Zen temple gardens and the inner state of the monks who designed them. How this understanding can be utilized in creating more harmonious and spiritually inspiring contemporary landscape design requires further study.Description
Supervisor
Mannerla-Magnusson, MeriThesis advisor
Lähde, ElisaKeywords
spiritual experience, Japanese gardens, Zen Buddhism, landscape design