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PRACTICE

Zen Practice

Zazen, koan, and the Zen approach to awakening.

Zazen: Just Sitting

Zazen is the Zen Buddhist practice of sitting meditation focused on direct obser

Koan Practice: The Question That Has No Answer

A paradoxical question or story used in Zen Buddhism to provoke direct insight b

Mu: The First Koan

Mu is a koan, a paradoxical question used in Zen training, typically presented a

Shikantaza: Pure Sitting

A Zen meditation practice of sitting without deliberate technique or object focu

Dokusan: The Private Interview

A private meeting between a Zen student and teacher to discuss practice, underst

Sesshin: The Intensive Retreat

Sesshin: The Intensive Retreat

Questions

What is the relationship between zazen (sitting meditation) and enlightenment in Zen?How does Zen differ from other Buddhist traditions in its approach to the scriptures?What is a koan, and how does working with one actually change a practitioner?Why do Zen teachers sometimes hit students during meditation, and what is this practice supposed to accomplish?Can enlightenment happen suddenly, as Zen suggests, or is it always gradual?What does 'just sitting' mean, and how is it different from trying to achieve something?How should a student choose between different Zen schools or teachers?What role does the teacher-student relationship play in Zen training?Is Zen practice compatible with daily work and family life, or does it require monastic commitment?What happens psychologically when someone sits with their breath for hours each day?How do Zen practitioners distinguish between genuine insight and mere intellectual understanding?What is satori, and is it a permanent state or something that needs to be deepened?Why does Zen emphasize direct experience over conceptual knowledge?How does the practice of sesshin (intensive retreat) differ from daily meditation practice in its effects?What is the purpose of mondo, the dialogue exchange between teacher and student?Can someone practice Zen without believing in rebirth or other Buddhist doctrines?How does Zen address suffering differently than other Buddhist paths?What is meant by 'killing the Buddha' in Zen teaching?How should a practitioner handle doubt—is it an obstacle or a necessary part of the path?What does it mean to 'die before you die' in Zen practice?How does Zen training transform one's perception of time and space?Why do some Zen practitioners practice calligraphy, archery, or tea ceremony alongside meditation?What is the difference between the koan practice of Rinzai Zen and the shikantaza practice of Soto Zen?How does enlightenment in Zen relate to everyday actions and ethics?What role does silence play in Zen practice and teaching?How can a beginner tell if they are practicing correctly without constant teacher feedback?What is the purpose of chanting or recitation in temples that emphasize zazen as primary?How does Zen practice address the question of whether enlightenment is already present or must be attained?