Bonsai Growing Guides
The Precious Gift of Bonsai |
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Bonsai is an art, coming to us from (ancient) China. Around 600AD the Japanese imported the art-form and made it their own. Their word BONSAI (pronounced bone-sigh) literally means, "tree in a pot." By taking a small young tree and fashioning it into the likeness of an old tree, the artist brings out the visible traces of the Infinite Beauty (God). The art was further developed and practiced by Buddhist monks.
Bonsai is an art, coming to us from (ancient) China. Around 600AD the Japanese imported the art-form and made it their own. Their word BONSAI (pronounced bone-sigh) literally means, "tree in a pot." By taking a small young tree and fashioning it into the likeness of an old tree, the artist brings out the visible traces of the Infinite Beauty (God). The art was further developed and practiced by Buddhist monks.
These little trees have much to teach us about God. They draw us into contemplation, into seeing God through His living creation. Since no bonsai is ever perfect, we learn to see beauty in the imperfection, for the ravages of nature bring out great beauty in rugged bark or twisted trunk. These imperfections show us depth of character and perseverance in the tree.
Caring for these little trees also teaches us perseverance. Our attention to detail helps the tree to live for many years beyond its normal life when in nature. Bonsai reminds us of people who visibly show us the depths of love and wisdom that come with time and great trials.
The bonsai also teach us detachment - for eventually they die - so we learn that everything is a gift from God, but not God. These living trees shine forth some of the Divine Beauty, touch us deeply, and then pass on.
Similarly they teach us by our mistakes. Carelessness will injure or kill them. Yet mistakes can also show us deeper beauty, a new design and hidden potential.
Bonsai can also teach us moderation. Often times this hobby can become an addiction producing "bonsai widows." We become driven by the desire for more and bigger and better trees. The time and money devoted to our bonsai begins to rob our lives of joy and time for other things, and friendships, and even God. By this very experience Bonsai teaches us. They are not God but rather little windows into the Divine. These windows do not ultimately fulfil us, but are there for us to see through them into the one God who will fill us with Infinite Beauty and Love if we open ourselves to Him.
Finally, the art of bonsai helps us to see God in each thing, in each moment, each place and event in life. Having been found by the unseen God, true art helps us to contemplate God’s infinite beauty everywhere in all creation.
By Gerard Gross, O.S.C.O.
Bonsai by the Monastery - 2625 Highway 212 SW Conyers, Ga
Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1 Oct 1998 - Reprinted by Permission
copyright © Gerard Gross, O.S.C.O -all rights preserved
Reprinted with permission
