Hmmmm...

[MistOfTheSea86]

Do U guys know those little sand Garden things? I think they are called Zen Gardens, well anyways. What are they used for?

[Shy Hawk]

Rock Gardens they are often called. They are supposed to represent the islands of Japan I believe.
The rocks are each one of the main islands, and the sand is the ocean. Most people rake wave shapes into the sand to represent the waves in the water....

You are supposed to meditate on them...there are lots of ways to do it. In a large rock garden, where the stones are big enough to sit on, this can become quite a meditative place....:D

Also, if you have a large rock garden, just the act of raking the sand every day, is a ritual in itself, or a form of meditation. The sand usually must be raked everyday if not more than once a day (in a large garden....which could be quite big really). And, sometimes the upkeep of these gardens are a kind of art form, and getting it perfect is something that is strived for......
Sorry, I wanted to be brief. Hope that clears it up.

[loopy]

Wow, thanks, I've always wanted to know what those things were actually for... I used to play with the display model in the mall. :)

[Shy Hawk]

Hehe, the originals ones are not supposed to be small enough to hold in your hand...but it's become sort of novelty now. It's sort of a shame. It's a beautiful thing, when seen in a large scale...like, someone's entire backyard.

[Yvonne Belisle]

They are beautiful in miniature too especailly with a bonsia you can still focus on the pattern in the sand. It's also good for an office so that you have a small world to meditate into.