Zen and Bonsai

malhomme

Let me first say that I am not using this to attack any one, but ask this for my own research.

This is primarily a question for people that are not acquainted with Zen, but percieve a relation between bonsai and Zen.

So what are characteristics of bonsai that you think or feel are Zen?

Kind regards,
Jim

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midwestbonsai

for those not knowing what zen is here is
From the dictionary
"A school of Mahayana Buddhism that asserts that enlightenment can be attained through meditation, self-contemplation, and intuition rather than through faith and devotion and that is practiced mainly in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Also called Zen Buddhism." I believe the meditation has a great deal to do with bonsai. Meditation before "playing" with my trees gives me more direction.
-Paul

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Ralph

There is zen philosophy throughout bonsai. Zen minimalism is found in the design of pots. Compare simple Japanese pots with plain colors to Chinese ones that often have ornate decorations on them. The tokonoma itself is very simple in "zen" in it's design. Look at Japanese forms, and compare them to Chinese penjing. One does not have to be zen budhist, to get the simple relationship of bonsai to nature.

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Emerging from winter slumber
Bonsai trees burst buds anew
Spring is upon us!


-Paul S.

Carl_Bergstrom

Hi Jim,

I recall making a few rather pointed remarks on this subject in a thread discussing Che Tan's book:

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthread.php?t=4861

I haven't changed my opinions substantially since then, though I'm open to intellegent persuasion.

Enjoy,
Carl

malhomme

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph There is zen philosophy throughout bonsai. Zen minimalism is found in the design of pots. Compare simple Japanese pots with plain colors to Chinese ones that often have ornate decorations on them. The tokonoma itself is very simple in "zen" in it's design. Look at Japanese forms, and compare them to Chinese penjing. One does not have to be zen budhist, to get the simple relationship of bonsai to nature.

Much of this minimalistic, rustic aesthetic developed out of the cult of tea begun by Sen-no-Rikyo. Sen-no-Rikyo was savvy enough to sell an idealized image of the mendicant Zen monk to the upper-class. It was poverty, perfected for the rich. It is Zen by proxy, but not Zen itself. This genius found that there was charm to the simple and rustic lifestyle of these hermits. A crude bowl became an object d'art.

And regarding the tokonoma, it did begin as a Zen shrine in the home. Many of the design considerations that are involved in the creation of a tokonoma display are universal and not unique to Zen at all.

Keep 'em coming!

Cheers,
Jim

malhomme

Carl,

I thoroughly agree with your assesment in that thread. I am curious to hear what people think Zen is, especially as it relates to bonsai. I think this will help me to understand the perception people have of both.

Cheers,
Jim

Bonsai Barry

The decisions I make in bonsai are aesthetic not spiritual. I can have a strong emotional reaction and/or reflective intellectual enlightenment while studying, contemplating or meditating on a fine bonsai, but not a spiritual response.

If there were an essential connection between zen and bonsai, then every great bonsai artist would have to understand and embrace the zen philosophies, I don't believe that is the case.

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Bonsai Barry

"Our talent lies in our choices."

zen

zen is simply a realization of existance,...to exist and realize it,for all that is , and is not, is enlightenment. These trees help us to understand the existance of living things and for some of us, ourselves as living things ,just like the tree,...breathe opposite your trees. LOVE AND TREES to all.
I may try to post more here later ,kinda in a hurry. Z

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"Although profoundly "inconsequential," the Zen experience has consequences in the sense that it may be applied in any direction, to any conceivable human activity, and that wherever it is so applied it lends an unmistakable quality to the work."

~ Alan Watts (1915-1973)

http://www.bonsaiswap.com/

kingkong

You people are loosing it, lets face it, we like like knarly trees with great taper and perfect nebari. If I take you to my favorite hunting grounds in the Bahamas, I will bet my last dollar you will beat me to the first Bucida.