Though it is one of many, Zen Buddhism is perhaps the most well known branch of Buddhism, at any rate in the West. It’s a simple practice which focuses on meditation as the way to reach enlightenment. Other Zen Buddhism practices do exist, however.

Rinzai and Soto are the two biggest sects of Zen Buddhism in Japan, and Soto is the most common one outside the country. Their focus is, naturally, on the practice of meditation. In fact, the word itself, Zen, originates from the word in Sanskrit for meditation. Zen Buddhists think that enlightenment is only achieved by concentrating your mind internally and that meditation is the perfect device for doing this.

When you meditate in the Soto style, you look toward the wall. You sit in this posture and let yourself be mindful of your thoughts without holding onto them. In the Rinzai custom, you sit looking toward the center of the room. This method concentrates more on the breath.

Zazen, as Zen Buddhist meditation techniques are called, can be anything you do, if you really focus your whole attention on it. Everything you do throughout the day, if you’re doing only that one activity with your full attention, becomes zazen. However you also will need to spend a while every day in meditation itself. Even if it is only for five minutes, the important thing is to establish habitual practice.

For a practicing monk, significantly more time will be passed in meditation. Many minutes of meditating, maybe 40 or 50, will be relieved by walking meditation. This gives the legs an opportunity to get relief. Sesshins are typically offered for lay students which might be from 1 to 7 days in length, occasionally more. The students will meditate for hours on a daily basis, along with attending talks and doing some silent work to help out.

Although Zen is not as well known for chanting as several other sects, it’s part of the practice at a good number of temples. Sutras which are often included in this practice are the Heart Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, among other sutras and mantras. There are also altars with figures of Buddhas. Home altars are often used to honor ancestors.

Meditating on Koans is a popular practice of Zen, and primarily practiced by the Rinzai sect. These stories or phrases do not make much sense on the surface. They’re intended to drive the meditator into a deeper level of awareness. Without this, the Koan will not be understood.

The aim of all Zen Buddhism practices, as with all other branches, is to reach enlightenment or Satori. The view is that, when one gets to this juncture, one no longer has to be reborn into the suffering of this earth. Sometimes, making use of a range of techniques can be useful in that aim.

In today’s stress filled society, meditation might be just what you need to manage your life more effectively. Learn more about how meditation can calm and focus your mind by visiting Meditation Techniques.