The Zen Garden Haiku Contest was founded in 2003 under the aegis of Shadow Poetry: A Poet’s Writing Resource, established by James and Marie Summers. The contest featured few restrictions, had low entry fees, and accepted previously published as well as original haiku by poets aged 13 or older. The Zen Garden Contest was renamed the White Lotus Haiku Competition in December 2006. In later years the contest attracted about 400 entries and awarded cash prizes of $100, $50, and $25. The competition was discontinued following the 2008 edition.