A Zen Garden
in Shelburne, VT
As a gift from me to KrisP, I enrolled her in a Zen Garden Workshop in Shelburne, VT. She will learn about the gardens and their care and get to know what makes the gardens’ special. Japanese gardens appeal to me. They are so well tended and structured in a way that emanates serenity. Kris’ being at the Zen Center in Shelburne, VT came at the perfect time. She was able to spend the night before the workshop in the parking lot of the center in her van. Sacred safe space. Sanctuary.
The garden was started in 1992 by Ti’an Callery. Her wisdom, vision, and artistry have been passed down through the years. She taught that the backbone of the garden were the rocks and stones. They need tending along with the plants. Paths are to be kept open and have a welcoming vibe. Nothing should be on them. Trees must be trimmed and the cuts hidden. When planting, choose a spot for each plant so it can thrive and talk to them so they know they are loved, attended to, will be given sun and water. The current senior gardener/teacher, Jhana Piché, describes the practice of tending to the garden as ‘nourishing sentient beings’. She is an ordained Buddhist priest.
There is one extra special garden. The Jizo Garden. A place where healing can happen. One bows when entering and leaving. It contains an altar and statues dressed in red attire. Jizo is a revered bodhisattva in Zen Buddhism. The statues are known as guardians of travelers, women, and the protector of children. Some of the statues are of ‘water babies’, those who passed away before being born. This group includes children who are stillborn, miscarried, or aborted, or who die before their parents for any reason. Often depicted as gentle, child-like monks, their stone statues wear small knit caps and red bibs. Each year in August the statues are brought indoors cleaned and redressed in new red clothes.
