Chinese & Japanese Garden Styles and Buddhist Gardens
The eight topics listed in the previous section are all linked to ideas at the heart of the Buddhist religion. They apply in any country.
Gardens in Asian Countries
There are also designs and decorations found in some Buddhist gardens which have much to do with the culture of particular Asian countries. This is not the same as the Buddhist religion.
China and Japan are countries where far more work has been put into gardening than elsewhere in the Buddhist world. As a result, gardens at Buddhist temples in China and Japan are often more beautiful than elsewhere. Also, other Buddhist countries, like Thailand or Vietnam, have learned from Chinese garden ideas.
However, there are also Chinese and Japanese gardens which have been inspired by the other religions in those countries, not by Buddhism. Also, many Chinese and Japanese gardens are not religious at all but purely for pleasure.
This section is about how Chinese and Japanese garden styles affected Buddhist gardens. You can think whether you want to use these ideas in your design. Buddhist gardens do not always use Chinese or Japanese styles. But these styles are certainly very beautiful.
Continue reading: Winding walkways to private places of peace.