Legacy Garden

Legacy Garden Update

Since its opening in 2014 our Legacy Garden has flourished under the care of some very dedicated people. This is a brief update.

To make sure the overall design of the garden is maturing as intended we’ve had regular visits by staff members of Kurisu International, the designer and builder of the Legacy Garden (see sections below for the history of our garden). These visits have been valuable in certifying the health of the garden as well as providing us with guidance for care. As for every day care we can thank members of our Sangha who volunteer their time and gardening skills to keep the Legacy Garden beautiful.

Donations to help with the cost of maintenance or improvements to the garden are welcome and you’ll find the instructions to the right of this article. Thank you for your continued support and efforts to keep our Legacy Garden growing.

In Gassho,
Temple Garden Committee Members

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To make a donation to help maintain the Legacy Garden click the button.

The History of Legacy Garden

Legacy Garden Opening

West Garden – Dedication Day

The MBT Legacy Garden, which was dedicated on June 22, 2014, is “an oasis of peace and inspiration for the Buddhist community and larger public alike,” says its designer, world-renowned landscape designer Hoichi Kurisu of Portland-based Kurisu International.

This nurturing garden was conceived to honor the first- and second-generation Japanese-American pioneers who founded the Midwest Buddhist Temple here in Chicago. With Japanese temple garden design principles, the garden is in perfect balance with the architecture of the temple. And represents a perfect thank you to the generations who made certain that the Midwest Buddhist Temple will continue to grow.

The physical creation of the garden began in late March 2014 and work was completed on June 1, 2014. The days between those dates were filled with, among other things, the temporary removal of several trees; a three-day search for boulders of the right shape, size and origins; and the planting, pruning and shaping of trees.

The boulders, set into place by a 30-ton crane, were especially important in representing the topographical features of Shinran Shonin’s walk from Mt. Hiei to the people in the Japanese villages as he spread the teachings of Shin Buddhism.

Other significant features include trees planted by the temple’s nisei members (second-generation Japanese-Americans) in honor of the issei (first-generation Japanese-Americans) who founded the temple in 1944; a handcrafted stone bowl water feature that sits at the base of the statue of Shinran Shonin; marble and slate from the highlands of China; and blue glazed roof tiles from Japan.

MBT LegacyGarden

West Garden Gate

In the spring of 2015, several wooden benches were installed so people can sit in the garden and meditate to the sound of the water.

A final signature piece is a Japanese cedar gate at the western edge of the garden, custom made for the Legacy Garden.

In the coming years, the garden will become even lovelier as the groundcovers grow and fill in—and, according to Mr. Kurisu, as the hearts of volunteer garden keepers and visitors become reflected in the Legacy Garden.

“Love has to grow,” he says, “otherwise the garden doesn’t mean anything.”

Dedication – June 22, 2014

The formal dedication of the Legacy Garden took place on June 22, 2014, in conjunction with our Temple’s 70th Anniversary celebration. Please enjoy these pictures of the dedication and first tours. All photographs were taken by Alvin Hayashi. (Click on any photo in this gallery to enlarge its image and view the entire album as a slideshow.)

Banner

Banner

West Gate

West Gate

Rev. Miyamura, M. Hamano, S. Ito

Rev. Miyamura, M. Hamano, S. Ito

Memorial

Memorial

West Garden

West Garden

West Garden

West Garden

West Garden

West Garden

Pine in West Garden

West Garden

Shinran Shonin

Shinran Shonin

Water Feature

Water Feature

Shinran Shonin

Shinran Shonin

East Garden

East Garden