Zen Buddhism Practices Include More Than Meditation

There are several different types of Buddhism, but Zen is probably one of the most known around the world. The practice is fundamentally geared around meditation. But Zen Buddhism practices do extend beyond that.

Rinzai and Soto are the two largest sects of Zen Buddhism in Japan, and Soto is the most common one outside. Their focus is, of course, on the practice of meditation. Actually, the word itself, Zen, comes from the word in Sanskrit for meditation. Zen Buddhists believe that enlightenment is only achieved by focusing your mind internally and that meditation is the best tool for doing this.

When you meditate according to the Soto style, you face the wall. You sit in this position and let yourself be aware of your thoughts without holding onto them. In the Rinzai tradition, you sit facing the center of the room. This style focuses more on the breath.

Everything you do during the day can be turned into zazen, the name for Zen Buddhist meditation techniques. By focusing your complete attention on each activity at time, and only that activity, it becomes zazen. However, one should still meditate every day, at least for 5 minutes. Regular daily practice is of the utmost importance.

For a practicing monk, much more time will be spent in meditation. Many minutes of meditating, perhaps 40 or 50, will be broken up by walking meditation. This gives the legs a chance to get relief. Sesshins are often offered for lay students which may be from one to seven days in length, sometimes more. The students will meditate for hours each day, as well as attend talks, and do some silent work to help out.

Chanting is not a primary Zen practice, but it is included in the daily activities of many temples. A few main sutras will be chanted, such as the Lotus and the Heart sutras, as well as some mantras. There will usually be altars that have representations of Buddhas. At home, the altar is frequently used to talk to and honor the ancestors.

Meditation on Koans is primarily used by the Rinzai branch of Zen. These are phrases or anecdotes that the practitioner must meditate on to find the hidden meaning. Without a higher level of understanding, it is impossible to know the meaning of the Koan.

All Zen Buddhism practices have as their goal Satori, or enlightenment. When you reach Satori, you will no longer need to be reincarnated into this world, which is viewed as a place of suffering. Although meditation is the most important part of the practice, adding other techniques can help you achieve that goal.

In today's stress filled society, Zen meditation techniques 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.

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