"Chronicles Zen gardens of all kinds. Many are lush, but others reflect the Japanese sensitivity to the 'soul of stones' and their places of honor. Borja writes knowledgeably about the centrality of the garden to Zen practice, provides a wealth of design and construction information, and encourages gardeners to create their own Zen gardens, with suggestions that embrace technical, artistic, and spiritual concerns. Photographs complement the text effectively."--Booklist. "Life begins on the day you start a garden."--Chinese proverb. They're places for meditation, and for pursuing harmony and spiritual peace. Because of their incredible beauty, Zen gardens have also become one of today's most popular styles. From the history and philosophy behind these remarkable landscapes of water, gravel, and plants to practical facts about building your own, this is a remarkable look at Oriental gardens. Filled with magnificent color photos that display the form at its finest, as well as ancient artworks that inspired gardeners, it reveals the design principles that go into creating this paradise on Earth.