shaman sun
11-23-2007, 11:23 PM
Zen is from the school of Mahayana Buddhism. It originated in China around the 7th century. It's emphasis? Meditation, practice, zazen (quiet, open mind, just sitting). It invites the practitioner to try it out, not to take things based on faith. It invites you to experience, and thus can be considered an experiential form of buddhism first and foremost. The emphasis is thus less about studying sacred text, philosophy and theology, and more about a direct experience. The term "Zen" originates from a sanksrit word, Dhyana, which means the yoga, or practice of meditation.
Zazen, the essential practice of Zen, has two main schools. Both agree that if the mind is silent, one can observe their true nature and become enlightened, which is also called satori.
The typical form of meditation is:
http://zenken.aichi-gakuin.ac.jp/zen/img/5-2.jpg
Back straight, legs crossed in the half lotus (As shown above) full lotus (Both legs up), or kneeling. Hands are on the thighs or put together (as shown).
The hands are placed by the belly, as shown, in a "Mudra" or symbolic gesture. During meditation, one breathes from the "mudra," or the belly.
Meditation is usually performed in a zendo, or meditation hall. Differing forms, such as walking meditation (kinhin) are utilized. The practitioners traditionally sit on a matt called a "zabuton," or a cushion called a "zafu."
It is important to have the whole body relaxed yet alert and erect. The rest of the meditation varies, but the most basic form of meditation involves:
Being aware of the breath, aware of the body, aware of the mind. Often practitioners will count their breath, focusing on its inhalation and exhalation through the nose and mouth. If thoughts stray, attention is calmly brought back to the breath, and the counting either starts over or continues.
Zazen, the essential practice of Zen, has two main schools. Both agree that if the mind is silent, one can observe their true nature and become enlightened, which is also called satori.
The typical form of meditation is:
http://zenken.aichi-gakuin.ac.jp/zen/img/5-2.jpg
Back straight, legs crossed in the half lotus (As shown above) full lotus (Both legs up), or kneeling. Hands are on the thighs or put together (as shown).
The hands are placed by the belly, as shown, in a "Mudra" or symbolic gesture. During meditation, one breathes from the "mudra," or the belly.
Meditation is usually performed in a zendo, or meditation hall. Differing forms, such as walking meditation (kinhin) are utilized. The practitioners traditionally sit on a matt called a "zabuton," or a cushion called a "zafu."
It is important to have the whole body relaxed yet alert and erect. The rest of the meditation varies, but the most basic form of meditation involves:
Being aware of the breath, aware of the body, aware of the mind. Often practitioners will count their breath, focusing on its inhalation and exhalation through the nose and mouth. If thoughts stray, attention is calmly brought back to the breath, and the counting either starts over or continues.