Zen Gardens

Maybe not part of a specific religion, but as a method for enhancing meditation is the zen garden. Originated in Japan, they are meant to capture the essence of nature, not necessarily replicating it. These gardens are thought to enhance meditation and therefore a connection to nature and God. They have existed at least since 784 in Japan. They are thought to bring peace to the mind and soul. White sand and gravel had long been a feature of Japanese gardens. In the Shinto religion, it was used to symbolize purity, and was used around shrines, temples, and palaces. In zen gardens, it represents water, or, like the white space in Japanese paintings, emptiness and distance. Every aspect of the gardens is used to represent something greater in nature but they are placed in a composition of unity and balance to enhance relaxation and peace of mind. 

Zen Garden