Beyond Meditation: Zen Buddhism Practices
Though it’s one of many, Zen Buddhism is perhaps the most well known branch of Buddhism, at least in the West. It’s a simple practice which concentrates on meditation as the way to attain enlightenment. Other Zen Buddhism practices do exist, though.
Rinzai and Soto are the two biggest sects of Zen Buddhism in Japan, and Soto is the most widespread one outside the country. Their focus is, not surprisingly, on the practice of meditation. In fact, the word itself, Zen, comes from the word in Sanskrit for meditation. Zen Buddhists think that enlightenment is only reached by focusing your mind internally and that meditation is the perfect tool for doing this.
To meditate in the Soto style, you would look toward the wall and sit quietly. You need to pay attention to thoughts as they come, but just as easily release them. With the Rinzai style, you would face the center of the room and focus on your breath, permitting it to relax your mind and body.
Zazen, as Zen Buddhist meditation techniques are called, can be anything you do, if you really focus your entire attention on it. Everything you do during the day, if you’re doing just that one activity with your complete attention, becomes zazen. But you also will need to spend a while daily in meditation itself. Even if it is only for five minutes, the important thing is to establish regular practice.
For a practicing monk, much more time will be spent in meditation. Many minutes of meditating, perhaps forty or fifty, will be broken up by walking meditation. This gives the legs an opportunity to get relief. Sesshins are typically offered for lay students which may be from 1 to 7 days in length, occasionally more. The students will meditate for hours each day, as well as attending talks and doing some silent work to assist.
Chanting isn’t a primary Zen practice, however it is included in the everyday activities of many temples. Several main sutras will be chanted, such as the Lotus and the Heart sutras, as well as some mantras. There will commonly be altars that have representations of Buddhas. At home, the altar is often utilized to speak to and honor the ancestors.
Meditating on Koans is a well known practice of Zen, and mainly practiced by the Rinzai sect. These stories or phrases don’t make much sense at first glance. They are meant to drive the meditator into a deeper level of awareness. Without this, the Koan won’t be comprehended.
All Zen Buddhism practices have as their objective Satori, or enlightenment. When you reach Satori, you will no longer need to be reincarnated into this world, which is seen as a place of suffering. Even though meditation is the key facet of the practice, adding other techniques can assist you to reach that aim.
In today’s stress filled society, meditation might be just what you need to manage your life more effectively. Learn more about how meditation can calm and focus your mind by visiting Meditation Techniques.