Jean’s Meditation Garden, Staffordshire
This is a private garden in a Staffordshire village. It was created specifically as a place for outdoor Buddhist meditation by its owners.
Sitting Meditation and Walking Meditation
The design was based round creating a space which would suit sitting meditation in front of a Buddha image and walking meditation round circular paths. The garden does not copy any traditional design.
- There is a large and beautiful brass Buddha image, which was brought from Thailand for this garden by the Abbot of a Thai Buddhist monastery in Britain.
- In front of the Buddha is a stone slab to sit on for meditation. Around the pedestal for the Buddha image is a locally-made iron surround for roses to climb up. On top is the shape of the leaf of a Bodhi Tree, copied from a leaf brought back from Thailand.
- Circular paths for walking meditation lead round a garden with a gravel surface. This gravel has nothing to do with use of gravel in Zen gardens. It was chosen simply to ensure that the garden needs little weeding. First a strong cloth anti-weed membrane was laid all over the garden. Then a large amount of gravel was spread on top. Rarely can weeds now grow through.
- Holes were dug through the gravel and membrane in certain places. Clumps of attractive grasses and other plants were planted there to provide colour contrast.
- There are two bird tables and four birdhouses.
Visiting
The garden can be visited on Open Gardens days or by arrangement. Phone Jean and Wilson Young on 01538-308027.
The garden is in Staffordshire between Leek and Ashbourne, near the A523.
Continue reading: The Peace Garden At Samye Ling Monastery.