The History of Bonsai in Buddhism   by Andrew Kozlowski

All over the world people have been growing and collecting bonsai trees as a hobby and a form of artwork. These tiny trees have long been cultivated in decorative containers, thus giving them their name; bonsai literally means tree in a pot. While many think of bonsai trees as Japanese, the art of bonsai originated in China as part of a spiritual practice linked first to Taoism, and later to Buddhism.

Bonsai was part of the ancient Chinese art of “penjing,” also know as “pun-sai,” which means the practice of creating a miniature landscape in a container. Chinese artists used plants, rocks, and other natural materials to craft tiny landscapes, often resembling sacred mountains, brooks, and other natural scenes, as well as dragons and serpents, all arranged on trays or in pots.

This practice of creating miniature landscapes and trees can be linked to China’s philosophical tradition of Taoism. Taoism proposed that thinking and living in a natural way and letting go of rigid, conventional beliefs would help one’s mind better tune in to the rhythm of nature. Being one with nature, going with the flow, and understanding how everything in life is interrelated are an integral part of Taoist teachings. The idea of yin and yang provide one example. Taoism also holds that even if something in nature is small, it will contain both power and strength if its age is advanced (and if it is confined to a small space). Bonsai trees become more valuable with age.

Monks from India brought a new influence to the Chinese Taoist tradition that became known as Chan Buddhism. Chan Buddhists began to include seedling trees in their miniature mountain landscapes. While working with natural materials, pruning and clipping the dwarf trees was part of the creative process, and Buddhist monks found themselves absorbed in a form of meditation.

Buddhism then advanced to Korea, and finally it made its way to Japan where it became known as Zen Buddhism. Diplomats traveling to China and Korea brought back Chinese art and culture to Japan, and the making of miniature landscapes, with its ties to Buddhist symbolism, was quickly adopted.

At first, it was only Japanese Buddhist monks and scholars that cultivated bonsai trees and tiny landscapes. The core of the Zen philosophy was refined to represent beauty in austerity, with all but the essentials removed to reveal the true nature of something. Ancient Japanese scrolls reveal that bonsai represented a fusion of traditional beliefs blended with other Eastern philosophies of the harmony between man, the soul, and the natural world.

By the fourteenth century bonsai was revered as an art form in Japan, and it is much represented in poetry and painting. At this point, bonsai trees were displayed indoors by the Japanese aristocracy, and the practice of creating bonsai became less associated with religion. A few centuries later, bonsais became commonplace amongst the general Japanese population as they are today.

Want to learn more about Bonsai History? Visit my website at http://www.bonsaitreeanswers.com to learn all about the origins of bonsai and how to buy, grow, and care for beautiful, healthy bonsai trees.

About the Author

Andrew Kozlowski has been dedicated to growing plants and trees for over 20 years, and has also worked as a professional fundraiser, project manager, and program director for a range of nature conservation programs in the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

Artificial Pyracantha Bonsai Tree $249.95 Artificial Pyracantha bonsai tree in leaf with fruit.

Artificial Japanese Cedar Bonsai Tree $39.95 Artificial Japanese Cedar bonsai tree.

Artificial Japanese Pine Bonsai Tree $29.95 Artificial Japanese Pine Bonsai tree with 103 leaves

Artificial Japanese Boxwood Bonsai Tree $19.95 Artificial Japanese Boxwood bonsai tree with 49 leaves

Artificial Aralia Bonsai Tree $139.95 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Handcrafted Aralia bonsai tree with artificial foliage and a preserved Grapewood trunk.

Artificial Ficus Bonsai Tree $139.95 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Handcrafted Ficus bonsai tree with artificial foliage and a preserved Grapewood trunk.

Artificial Japanese Tea Leaf Bonsai Tree $39.95 Artificial Japanese Tea Leaf bonsai tree.

Artificial Cedar Bonsai Tree – Group Planting $249.95 Artificial Japanese Cedar bonsai tree. Three (3) tree group.

Bonsai Watering Wand $35.95 Chrome plated fine spray hose nozzle which is great for watering bonsai trees, seedlings and young plants.

Juniper Bonsai Tree – 8 – Preserved Bonsai Tree $50 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Neither plastic nor silk, this is a real live bonsai tree that was carefully crafted and preserved to protect its natural fragrance, color and texture indefinitely. No watering, trimming or maintenance is required. With its timeless beauty evoking a feeling of nature, this accent piece accommodates any architectural setting. Our one-of-a-kind preserved bonsai is planted in a traditional glazed imported ceramic container. This is the ultimate in environmental control.

Artificial Boxwood Bonsai Tree – Handcrafted $139.95 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Handcrafted Boxwood bonsai tree with artificial foliage and a preserved Grapewood trunk.

Artificial Azalea Bonsai Tree – Large $249.95 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Handcrafted Azalea bonsai tree with artificial foliage and a preserved Grapewood trunk.

Artificial Pine Bonsai Tree $149.95 This stunning and wonderfully crafted Pine tree with realistic looking artificial foliage is perfect for bookcases, entertainment centers or anywhere it may be impossible to grow a live bonsai tree. No watering, trimming or maintenance is required. With its timeless beauty evoking a feeling of nature, this accent piece accomodates any architectural setting. This is the ultimate in environmental control.

Artificial Podocarpus Bonsai Tree – Large $149.95 Artificial Podocarpus Buddhist Pine bonsai tree with a traditional curved trunk and tiered layered branching. Has exposed roots which give the appearance of great age.

Artificial Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree – Small $84.85 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Handcrafted Japanese Maple bonsai tree with artificial foliage and a preserved Grapewood trunk.

Artificial Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree – Large $249.95 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Handcrafted Japanese Maple bonsai tree with artificial foliage and a preserved Grapewood trunk.

Man Trimming Bonsai Tree Ceramic Figurine – 1 1/2 $9.95 Ceramic Figurine. Man trimming bonsai tree – 1 1/2″

Man Sitting on a Rock with Bonsai Tree Miniature Ceramic Mud Figurine $8.95 Man sitting on a rock with a bonsai tree. Ceramic mud figurine with fine detail.

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree/Water Bonsai Pot Portulacaria Afra $49.95 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common Jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for the home or office.

Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai Tree/Water Bonsai Pot (arboricola schefflera) $59.95 This is the tree that we recommend if you are inexperienced with bonsai or you do not have a green thumb. In our opinion it is one of the easiest bonsai trees to care for and it is a very beautiful trouble-free evergreen. If you don’t know which tree to purchase as a gift for someone, this is the tree to select. Our tree features tiny umbrella shaped leaves forming a dense green canopy. On the other side of the planting is a well that holds water. We include a fisherman figurine along with a fishing pole and ceramic fish.

Ficus Retusa Bonsai Tree $195 Also known as Banyan Fig and Taiwan Ficus. The Retusa has small, dark green leaves which alternate up the stem and which are more oval than the Benjamina. Grey to reddish bark dotted with small, horizontal flecks, similar to tiger-like markings. Has a heavy curved shaped trunk, exposed roots and tiered branching which give the appearance of great age. The Retusa is among the most tolerant, versatile and trouble-free bonsai trees for indoor use.

Starter Kit Make Your Own Bonsai Tree $24.95 Make your own Bonsai Tree. Everything you need to create your own bonsai tree. Kit includes the following: Glazed ceramic imported container Juniper Procumbens Nana (3 years old) Annealed copper training wire Bonsai tree soil (conifer mix) Fiberglass drainage hole covers Multi-colored textured rock Separate typewritten instructions for potting, training and maintenance Ceramic miniature figurine humidity/drip tray Plastic plant marker

Ceramic Bonsai Pot Unglazed Round Cascade with Tree Stump Base $39.95 Ceramic bonsai pot. Unglazed, round, cascade.

Ficus Bonsai Tree – Variegated (ficus benjamina) $115.95 The Ficus Benjamina is an indoor tropical bonsai tree that is easy to care for. The Benjamina has large dark evergreen leaves with a pointed tip that can be reduced in size by trimming. Trimming will also keep the tree tight and compact as will direct sun.

Bonsai Tree Branch Bonder – Large Size $39.95 Tackle the training of any bonsai tree with this high quality branch bender. Using the push-pull effect will slowly bend and shape your bonsai tree branches. This tool is what you need when wire is not enough. Branch benders are able to exert powerful, yet gentle force on a branch so that the bonsai artist can bend it in the appropriate direction.

Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai Tree-Medium (Arboricola Schefflera) $39.95 This is the tree that we recommend if you are inexperienced with bonsai or you do not have a green thumb. In our opinion it is one of the easiest bonsai trees to care for and is a very beautiful “trouble-free” evergreen. If you don’t know which tree to purchase as a gift for someone, this is the tree to select. This versatile tree is great for home, office, dorm or anywhere and does well in low to high lighting conditions. Our tree features tiny umbrella shaped leaves forming a dense green canopy. Very popular and easy indoor care.

Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai Tree – Small (arboricola schefflera) $24.95 This is the tree that we recommend if you are inexperienced with bonsai or you do not have a green thumb. In our opinion it is one of the easiest bonsai trees to care for and is a very beautiful “trouble-free” evergreen. If you don’t know which tree to purchase as a gift for someone, this is the tree to select. This versatile tree is great for home office dorm or anywhere and does well in low to high lighting conditions. Our tree features tiny umbrella shaped leaves forming a dense green canopy. Very popular and easy indoor care.

Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai Tree – Large (arboricola schefflera) $69.95 This is the tree that we recommend if you are inexperienced with bonsai or you do not have a green thumb. In our opinion it is one of the easiest bonsai trees to care for and is a very beautiful trouble-free evergreen. If you don’t know which tree to purchase as a gift for someone, this is the tree to select. This versatile tree is great for home, office, dorm or anywhere and does well in low to high lighting conditions. Our tree features tiny umbrella shaped leaves forming a dense green canopy. This impressive trouble-free evergreen is a very popular and easy to care for indoor bonsai.

Podocarpus Bonsai Tree (podocarpus macrophyllus) $95 Aka Buddhist Pine or Chinese Yew. The Podocarpus is a dense evergreen with pointed, leathery, dark green leaves arranged on stiff, symmetrical branches. The tree which is unisexual, has male flowers in cones and female flowers composed of cylindrical thickened scales. The fruits are edible, pendiculate, fleshy and brightly colored. New floiage appears light green in color that turns darker with age. Our tree is trained in the traditional bonsai style. Grows very well albeit slowly indoors.

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree (Portulacaria Afra) $195 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common Jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for indoors.

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree – Small Portulacaria Afra $24.95 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common Jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for the home or office.

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree (Portulacaria Afra) $195 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common Jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for indoors.

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree – Medium Portulacaria Afra $59.95 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common Jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for the home or office.

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree Five Tree Forest Group (Portulacaria Afra) $99.95 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for the home or office. Five tree forest group.

Preserved Juniper Bonsai Tree – Upright Style Potted in Chinese Bonsai Container $79.95 Neither plastic nor silk, this is a real live bonsai tree that was carefully crafted and preserved to protect its natural fragrance, color and texture indefinitely. No watering, trimming or maintenance is required. With its timeless beauty evoking a feeling of nature, this accent piece accommodates any architectural setting. Our one-of-a-kind preserved bonsai is planted in a traditional glazed imported ceramic container. This is the ultimate in environmental control.

Bonsai Tree Air Plant (epiphytic) $24.95 Epiphytic plants are among the most fascinating of all tropicals because they do not require soil to grow. Because there is no soil, watering is, in the main, via humidity. Our bonsai tree air plant is very easy to grow because it is quite able to take care of itself. Provide bright or subdued indirect sunlight, humidity, warmth, and weekly watering.

Italian Cypress Evergreen Bonsai Tree (cupressus sempervirens) $29.95 The Italian Cypress or Mediterranean Cypress is a great indoor bonsai tree which can be grown singularly or in groups. Originally found in the eastern Mediteranean area, this bonsai is susceptible to the cold which means that either you must bring it indoors during the winter or grow it in a fairly warm climate. These bonsai look amazing when grown in small forest groups. They feature fine green/gray foliage which actually grows in flattened sprays. They also grow “cool looking” tiny elongated brown cones during the year, something that is somewhat rare in bonsai.

Japanese Black Pine Bonsai Tree – Pre Bonsai (pinus thunbergii) $29.95 Stiff dark green needles (3″-5″ long) occur in pairs. Large, grayish-white terminal buds help distinguish it from other pines. Much sought after in bonsai and takes many years to achieve the look of a superior specimen bonsai. Hardy. Likes sun. Keep outdoors.

Man Holding Fan with Bonsai Tree Miniature Ceramic Mud Figurine $8.95 Man holding a fan sitting on a rock with a bonsai tree. Miniature ceramic mud figurine with fine detail.

Bonsai Cut Dressing – 100 Gram Tube Seals Bonsai Tree Wounds $19.95 Traditional dressing used to seal tree wounds against insects, disease, and weather to speed healing and minimize the shock of wounds when styling bonsai or repairing branches. Quick drying sealant containing insecticides and fungicides that forms a smooth, dark cover that remains quite flexible. 100 gram tube

Ficus Bonsai Tree Forest Group (ficus benjamina) $125 This popular evergreen bonsai is recommended for home or office and does well in lower or higher lighting conditions. Forest group style.

FREE SHIPPING ON THIS TREE Baby Jade Bonsai Tree – Large (Portulacaria Afra) $59.95 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common jade plant. The flwshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for the home or office.

Artificial Prunus Bonsai Tree $59.95 The flowers and branches of the artificial tree are created from luna clay, making them very flexible and, therefore, can be adjusted to your personal preferences or left as shown in the image. Includes 14 multi-colored life-like fruit. The hand-painted flowers are so life-like that people will want to touch them to see if they are real. This tree will retain its beauty for many years to come and can be cleaned with a slightly dampened cloth.

Artificial Crabapple Bonsai Tree $59.95 The fruit and branches of this artificial tree are created from luna clay, making them very flexible and, therefore, can be adjusted to your personal preferences or left as shown in the image. The hand-painted fruit is so life-like that you can almost taste the small apples. The trunk is curved and has a nice taper. This tree will retain its beauty for many years to come and can be cleaned with a slightly dampened cloth.

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