Zazen

Popularized by Bodhidharma, Zazen is the Zen Buddhism style of meditation. The formal term is 瞑想 (meisō). 5 styles of Zazen:

5 Methods of Zazen

Zazen Summary

Central Entity: Zazen (Seated Meditation)

Category: Zen Buddhist Practice

Description: A core meditation practice in Zen Buddhism that emphasizes focused breathing and posture to achieve a state of mindfulness and calmness.

Goals:

• Cultivate present-moment awareness
• Develop concentration and focus
• Gain insight into one’s true nature
• Promote inner peace and tranquility

Practice:

• Sitting in a formal posture (usually seiza or lotus)
• Focusing on the breath (following the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils)
• Maintaining a non-judgmental attitude towards thoughts and emotions that arise
• Techniques like counting breaths or using koans (paradoxical riddles) may be employed in some traditions.

Benefits:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved focus and concentration
• Increased self-awareness
• Enhanced emotional regulation
• Promotes feelings of well-being

Related Concepts:

• Zen Buddhism
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Breathwork
• Koans (Rinzai school)
• Shikantaza (Soto school)
• Zazen posture
• Meditation retreats

Additional Notes:

• Zazen is considered foundational practice in Zen Buddhism.
• Regular practice is encouraged, with sessions ranging from a few minutes to several hours.
• Zazen can be practiced individually or in a group setting.
• There are different schools of Zen with slight variations in Zazen practice.

Meditation form

Zazen is typically a group practice, simply but extremely formal. Practitioners face each other or a wall / curtain. Periods are normally 20 minutes. Eyes are normally open, with erect posture, legs crossed, on a zafu cushion. The arrangement rests on a zabuton – cushioned mat. Meditators bow to one another and to their cushion to begin and end. There is no shrine.

Method of Zazen

Zazen begins with focus on breathing or hara. Mantra can be an object, as well. After meditative one-pointedness or focus is established, the practitioner can engage in deeper forms, such as shikantaza or koan.

Styles of Zazen: Hompu

Hompu (本普), which translates to “fundamental universality,” refers to a type of zazen practice focused on developing meditative concentration to improve overall well-being. Here, the emphasis is not necessarily on achieving enlightenment but on cultivating a calmer and more focused mind. This approach might involve techniques like counting breaths or focusing on bodily sensations to enhance present-moment awareness and reduce stress and anxiety. Hompu zazen can be practiced by anyone, regardless of religious beliefs, seeking to improve their mental and emotional well-being through meditation.

Gedo (外道) in Zazen

Gedo, which translates to “outside way” in Japanese, refers to a type of meditative practice that falls outside the core principles of Zen Buddhism. Here’s a breakdown of the concept:

Characteristics:

• Practices similar to zazen (seated meditation) but originating from other religious traditions.
• Often focused on achieving goals like gaining supernatural powers or attaining rebirth in specific heavens.
• Not aligned with the core Zen Buddhist goals of enlightenment (kensho) and liberation from suffering (dukkha).

Criticisms:

• Considered by some Zen purists as a distraction from the true path of Zen.
• Seen as emphasizing external rewards rather than the internal transformation central to Zen.

Examples:

• Meditation practices from Hinduism or Daoism that emphasize visualization techniques or manipulating energy flow.
• Mindfulness practices from other traditions that are not grounded in the Zen philosophy of non-attachment and emptiness (sunyata).

Importance:

• Understanding Gedo helps distinguish authentic Zen practice from practices that might resemble Zen but have different goals and underlying philosophies.

In essence, Gedo represents practices that might be beneficial in themselves but are not considered part of the true path to Zen enlightenment.

Shōjō (小乗) in Zen Buddhism

Shōjō, which translates to “small vehicle” or “Hinayana” in Japanese, is a term used in Mahayana Buddhism to refer to the Theravada tradition and its associated teachings. While both Theravada and Mahayana are branches of Buddhism, they differ in their emphasis and goals.

Theravada Buddhism:

• Often referred to as the “Way of the Elders” or “Southern Buddhism.”
• Focuses on individual liberation (arahantship) through following the Eightfold Path and cultivating personal insight.
• Emphasizes the importance of monastic life and strict adherence to Buddhist teachings.

Shōjō in Mahayana:

• Mahayana Buddhists view Shōjō as a preliminary or “small” path, compared to the “great vehicle” (Mahayana) that aims for universal liberation (bodhisattvahood) of all sentient beings.
• Mahayana teachings often incorporate elements from Shōjō but expand the scope to include compassion, skillful means, and the aspiration to become a Buddha for the benefit of all.

Criticisms:

• Some Mahayana texts criticize Shōjō for its focus on individual liberation rather than universal compassion.
• They argue that Shōjō’s emphasis on strict rules and monastic life can limit one’s potential for spiritual growth.

Significance:

• Understanding Shōjō provides context for the Mahayana concept of the “great vehicle” and its emphasis on bodhisattvahood and universal liberation.
• It highlights the different paths and goals within Buddhism, each with its own strengths and contributions.

In summary, Shōjō represents a foundational path within Buddhism, emphasizing individual liberation through personal insight and strict adherence to teachings. Mahayana Buddhism builds upon this foundation, expanding the scope to encompass universal liberation and compassion for all beings.

Daijō (大乗) in Zen Buddhism: The “Great Vehicle”

Daijō, which translates to “great vehicle” in Japanese, refers to the Mahayana branch of Buddhism, distinguished from the Theravada tradition known as Shōjō (small vehicle). Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the bodhisattva ideal, the aspiration to achieve Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Core Tenets of Daijō:

1. Universal Liberation: Daijō aims for the liberation of all beings from suffering (dukkha) and the attainment of enlightenment (bodhisattvahood).
2. Bodhisattva Ideal: A bodhisattva is an enlightened being who postpones their own entry into nirvana to remain in the world and help others achieve liberation.
3. Compassion and Skillful Means: Daijō stresses the importance of compassion (karuna) and skillful means (upaya) in guiding others towards enlightenment.
4. Emptiness (Sunyata): Daijō emphasizes the concept of emptiness (sunyata), the realization that all phenomena are inherently empty of self-nature.
5. Buddha-nature: Daijō teaches that all beings possess the potential for Buddhahood, the inherent seed of enlightenment within each being.

Daijō in Zen Practice:

• Zen Buddhism, a Mahayana school, embodies the Daijō ideals through zazen meditation, koan practice, and everyday life activities.
• Zazen, the core Zen practice, cultivates mindfulness, concentration, and insight, leading to the realization of one’s true nature and the potential for Buddhahood.
• Koan practice involves contemplating paradoxical questions to break through conceptual thinking and awaken to the true nature of reality.
• Everyday life activities, infused with mindfulness and compassion, become expressions of the bodhisattva ideal.

Significance of Daijō:

• Daijō offers a path of spiritual growth that extends beyond individual liberation, encompassing the aspiration to help all beings achieve enlightenment.
• It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of compassion and skillful means in guiding others towards liberation.
• Daijō’s teachings on emptiness and Buddha-nature provide a profound understanding of the nature of reality and the potential for human transformation.

In essence, Daijō represents a path of selfless compassion and spiritual growth, aiming for the liberation of all beings from suffering and the realization of their inherent Buddha-nature.

Saijōjō (最上乗) in Zen Buddhism: The “Highest Vehicle”

Saijōjō, which translates to “supreme vehicle” or “highest path” in Japanese, refers to the practice of shikantaza, a form of zazen meditation emphasized in Soto Zen Buddhism. Shikantaza, meaning “just sitting,” is characterized by a simple, direct approach to meditation, emphasizing the immediate, present-moment experience.

Characteristics of Saijōjō:

1. Directness: Saijōjō stresses direct engagement with the present moment without any goals, expectations, or mental constructs.
2. Non-striving: It encourages a non-striving attitude, letting go of efforts to control thoughts or experiences.
3. Openness: Saijōjō cultivates openness to whatever arises in the present moment, without judgment or attachment.
4. Non-duality: It aims to transcend the duality of subject-object, leading to a realization of non-separation between the self and the world.

Shikantaza Practice:

1. Assume Proper Posture: Sit comfortably on a zafu or chair with a straight spine.
2. Focus on Breath: Initially, focus on the natural flow of breath, observing the sensations of breath entering and leaving the nostrils.
3. Notice Thoughts: When thoughts arise, simply acknowledge them without judgment and gently return attention to the breath.
4. Non-striving: Refrain from trying to control or suppress thoughts. Instead, let them come and go without attachment.
5. Openness: Cultivate an open and receptive mind, welcoming whatever arises in the present moment.

Significance of Saijōjō:

• Saijōjō represents a direct and profound approach to meditation, emphasizing the immediate experience of the present moment.
• It challenges the tendency to conceptualize and intellectualize meditation, guiding practitioners towards a deeper understanding of their true nature.
• Saijōjō cultivates mindfulness, openness, and non-duality, laying the foundation for the realization of enlightenment.

In essence, Saijōjō represents the pinnacle of Zen meditation, offering a path of direct engagement with the present moment, leading to the dissolution of self-centeredness and the awakening to true reality.

May all beings be happy

May all beings be peaceful

May all beings be safe

May all beings awaken to the light of their true nature

May all beings be free