zafu

Zafu is a round, cloth-covered cushion used as a seating aid in meditation, especially within Zen Buddhist practice. Its primary purpose is to elevate the hips and subtly tilt the pelvis to promote an upright spine and comfortable leg posture during zazen, the seated meditation discipline. By raising the hips, the zafu helps reduce fatigue and numbness that can arise from sitting on a hard floor.

Construction varies, but traditional zafus are filled with natural materials such as buckwheat hulls, which mold to the sitter and allow airflow, or softer fillings like cotton batting, kapok, or foam. The outer cover is typically cotton or a durable fabric and is often removable for washing. Zafus come in several shapes and firmness levels to accommodate cross-legged, half-lotus, or kneeling postures; common variants include round cushions and crescent- or bean-shaped designs.

Zafu are usually placed on a larger flat cushion called a zabuton, which protects the legs and feet from cold or hard floors and provides additional cushioning. The combination supports longer meditation sessions by stabilizing the posture and distributing weight more evenly.

Originating in East Asia and widely associated with Japanese Zen, zafu have become common in meditation centers worldwide. They are used both in traditional monasteries and in secular mindfulness and meditation practice, where the goal is posture alignment and sustained focus rather than religious ritual.

Care and maintenance include keeping the cover clean, renewing fillings as they compress over time, and storing away from moisture. Some practitioners rotate or air the buckwheat hulls to maintain even firmness.