zazen

Zazen, from the Japanese words za meaning “to sit” and zen meaning “meditation,” is a central practice in Zen Buddhism. It refers to seated meditation aimed atdirect insight into the mind, awareness, and the nature of reality. The practice developed in Chan Buddhism in China and was transmitted to Japan, where it became a defining element of Zen.

Practice generally involves a stable, upright posture, often with legs folded in full-lotus or half-lotus, kneeling, or sitting on a cushion. Hands are placed in a mudra with one palm resting atop the other and thumbs lightly touching. The spine is kept straight to support alertness and unobstructed breathing. The gaze is soft, with eyes half-closed and directed downward. Approaches to breath vary: some practitioners count breaths, while others emphasize non-interference and the meditative state itself. A common form in many traditions is shikantaza, or “just sitting,” which minimizes deliberate mental activity.

Zazen is typically practiced in longer sessions at temples or meditation halls, but lay practitioners also engage in regular daily sessions. A typical program may include periods of quiet sitting, walking meditation, and, in some schools, koan study under a teacher. The aim is not to force concentration but to realize one’s true nature and the interdependence of all phenomena, often described in terms of awakening or kensho/satori.

Styles differ across Zen schools. Soto emphasizes steady, ongoing practice of shikantaza, while Rinzai emphasizes koan-based inquiry and shorter, more intensive sessions. Zazen has influenced Western contemplative practices and is taught in Zen centers around the world.