Question

Read this selection and answer the question that follows it.

Answer 1

Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. It has been in existence for hundreds of years. Ikebana developed from the Buddhist practice of offering flowers to the spirits of the dead. However, it is now considered an art form separate from religious tradition.
One purpose of Ikebana is to connect people with nature. Ikebana artists use items such as flowers, leaves, berries, grasses, and seedpods. Ikebana arrangements are meant to represent nature as a whole. For this reason, the artists may use twisted branches instead of flowers as the focal point of an arrangement.
Ikebana also has spiritual aspects. The act of arranging flowers teaches artists to be patient and conscious. In order to practice Ikebana, the artists must slow down and focus. Ikebana artists learn to find meaning in things that they may have overlooked in the past. They also learn to appreciate differences not only in nature but also in people.
Ikebana is different from other types of flower arrangement. For example, an Ikebana flower arrangement is asymmetrical, instead of even on every side. Another difference is that Ikebana uses principles found in other Japanese art forms such as painting and architecture. Like a piece of Japanese architecture, an Ikebana composition includes its surroundings. The use of space around the flower arrangement is central to the arrangement as a whole. Also, the container, materials, and setting must have a sense of unity.

Answer 2

What is the author's purpose in writing this piece?