| There are several different types of Buddhism, but | | | | at least for 5 minutes. Regular daily practice is of the |
| Zen is probably one of the most known around the | | | | utmost importance. |
| world. The practice is fundamentally geared around | | | | For a practicing monk, much more time will be spent in |
| meditation. But Zen Buddhism practices do extend | | | | meditation. Many minutes of meditating, perhaps 40 or |
| beyond that. | | | | 50, will be broken up by walking meditation. This gives |
| Rinzai and Soto are the two largest sects of Zen | | | | the legs a chance to get relief. Sesshins are often |
| Buddhism in Japan, and Soto is the most common one | | | | offered for lay students which may be from one to |
| outside. Their focus is, of course, on the practice of | | | | seven days in length, sometimes more. The students |
| meditation. Actually, the word itself, Zen, comes from | | | | will meditate for hours each day, as well as attend |
| the word in Sanskrit for meditation. Zen Buddhists | | | | talks, and do some silent work to help out. |
| believe that enlightenment is only achieved by focusing | | | | Chanting is not a primary Zen practice, but it is included |
| your mind internally and that meditation is the best tool | | | | in the daily activities of many temples. A few main |
| for doing this. | | | | sutras will be chanted, such as the Lotus and the |
| When you meditate according to the Soto style, you | | | | Heart sutras, as well as some mantras. There will |
| face the wall. You sit in this position and let yourself be | | | | usually be altars that have representations of Buddhas. |
| aware of your thoughts without holding onto them. In | | | | At home, the altar is frequently used to talk to and |
| the Rinzai tradition, you sit facing the center of the | | | | honor the ancestors. |
| room. This style focuses more on the breath. | | | | Meditation on Koans is primarily used by the Rinzai |
| Everything you do during the day can be turned into | | | | branch of Zen. These are phrases or anecdotes that |
| zazen, the name for Zen Buddhist meditation | | | | the practitioner must meditate on to find the hidden |
| techniques. By focusing your complete attention on | | | | meaning. Without a higher level of understanding, it is |
| each activity at time, and only that activity, it becomes | | | | impossible to know the meaning of the Koan. |
| zazen. However, one should still meditate every day, | | | | |