The Zen Rock Garden at Ryoan-ji Temple in Japan and The Ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru Essay Example

Picchu, Peru").

Following the reign of Manco Khapaq, numerous governors emerged who propagated the ideology of conquest. This led to the ascendancy of Pachakutec Inca Yupanki, also known as "the Inca who rules everything and who returns the land". He freed Cuzco from the Chancas, paving the way for the Inca Empire to conquer several adjacent tribes, ultimately resulting in the creation of Macchu Picchu (Lumberas "Machu Picchu"). Concurrently, in December 1994, UNESCO designated the Ryoan-ji Temple, which means "temple of the peaceful dragon", as a world heritage site.

The Zen monks of the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai reside in Ryoan-ji Temple, which was originally built by the Fujiwara family during the Heian period and later constructed by Hosokawa Katsumoto, a military official, in 1450 during the Muromachi period (Sacred-destinations.com "Ryoanji, Kyoto"). The most well-known feature of Ryoan-ji Temple is its ancient Zen garden, which was created after 49 years of the temple's existence and is still considered one of the most viewed Zen gardens in the world.

The idea of wabi sabi, a Japanese art form that finds beauty in nature, was demonstrated through the circular pattern of white pebbles and the random arrangement of large stones within a rectangular frame in a minimalist garden. This theme was specifically chosen to create a natural and captivating scenery that would induce a trance-like state in viewers. (Source: Japan-Zone.com "Zen Gardens")

Both Machu Picchu and the Zen rock garden of the Ryoan-ji Temple are remarkable man-made creations. They were created with a specific purpose based on the spiritual beliefs and faith of the inhabitants who utilized them as a place to reach enlightenment or communicate with gods.

Although these two seem similar, they have distinct characteristics that differentiate them, such as their geography and physical features. Machu Picchu sits on top of the Andes Mountains, whereas the Zen rock garden is located in Ryoan-ji Temple.

The natural beauty of Machu Picchu's rainforests and wildlife offer a serene escape from modern society. This elevated location chosen by the Incas may have been for their sacred ground to be closer to the gods. In contrast, the Zen rock garden in urban Kyoto showcases the harmonious coexistence of old and new culture. While Machu Picchu represents oneness with nature, the Ryoan-ji Temple's Zen rock garden represents immersion in nature as a means of isolation from the material world.

Both Machu Picchu and the Zen rock garden are world heritage sites, but they differ in their geographical and structural features. Machu Picchu is an extensive land area that many experts consider to be the first form of urban settlement in a rustic setting. In contrast, the Zen rock garden is an intimate nature scene located in a limited space. Moreover, Machu Picchu is composed of two sections, namely the agricultural and urban areas. The agricultural section consists of terraces of maize and coca that curve around the side of the mountain to hide its irregular shape, and stacked stone accents outline these terraces.

The mountain at Machu Picchu is transformed into a more fluid and exquisite scenery, according to Lumberas' "Machu Picchu." The urban section of Machu Picchu, made entirely of granite, includes sanctuaries, storage rooms, baths, and houses that showcase the high-level workmanship of the Incas. This workmanship is celebrated today for its ingenuity

in aesthetics and architecture, as Gray notes in "Macchu Picchu, Peru." In addition, the Zen rock garden at Ryoan-ji Temple is recognized as a distinguished treasure of Japanese culture.

The rectangular-shaped garden measures 30 meters by 10 meters and features 15 rocks of different sizes that serve as the most intriguing and eye-catching element. These rocks are placed in a background of white raked sand and gravel, which is divided into 5 major groups with different numbers of rocks in each group. Additionally, some of the rocks have been accentuated with moss plants to break the monotony of the whiteness. The Zen rock garden is also known as a Karesansui, a type of style in dry landscape characterized by the absence of grass, plants, shrubs, and trees unlike typical gardens (Murphy “Ryoanji”).

The Zen garden's minimalist design, enclosed by a simple wooden fence, suggests austerity. The 15 rocks placed strategically allow viewers to observe the 14 rocks from different angles. According to Zen monks, seeing all 15 rocks signifies completeness or spiritual enlightenment, based on Buddhism. To fully appreciate the vastness and simplicity of the garden, viewers should aim for a holistic view of the entire area for a meaningful experience. (Source: Sacred-destinations)

It appears that the Machu Picchu ruins and the rock garden at Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan are both acknowledged as cultural works of art representative of their respective societies, Peruvian and Japanese. The use of natural materials such as rocks, granite, and sand was evident at both sites, highlighting the creativity of their peoples. While they employed similar materials, they utilized them in their own unique ways. In the case of Machu

Picchu, granite blocks were used to construct a city atop a mountain, requiring not only creativity but also mathematical and engineering abilities.

The Machu Picchu is a fascinating natural wonder due to the Incas' exceptional knowledge of construction and urban planning. Meanwhile, the Ryoan-ji Temple's Zen rock garden is held in high esteem for its abstract simplicity. Unlike the overwhelming technical achievements and sheer size of Machu Picchu, people admire the garden for its minimalist characteristics that encourage self-reflection and contemplation of one's surroundings (Sacred-destinations.com "Ryoanji, Kyoto").