No matter what happens, humans will always place themselves as the center.
Emotions such as anxiousness, anger, revenge, jealousy and greed naturally surface in our hearts, channeling through our ego. Worldly desires and egos arise because they have an opponent.
How to dismiss these emotions? Are we able to remove these desires and egos?
This is the purpose of practicing “Zen meditation”.
As the teachings of Dogen Zenshi’s shikantaza opened by Soto Zen say, Zen meditation can be practiced by constantly sitting facing the wall, distancing yourself from reality, clearing your mind and maintaining time and space undisturbed by anything.
In this day and age with an abundance of information and the hustle and bustle of life, gradually we lose time to know and face our own selves.
Why not then experience Zen meditation inside the calmness of a temple?
Zen meditation is a practice not only for monks but for us all.
■The history of Zen meditation
The Rinzai school was introduced to Japan by Eisai at the end of the 12th century and by Dōgen during the beginning of the Kamakura period.
Dōgen despised power and vanity, and opened Eiheiji in the mountains in Fukui prefecture. He stated that anybody could reach enlightenment and started Zen meditation for the general public and lower class warriors. In the early years of the Edo period, the Obaku school was opened by Ingen who arrived from China.
■Dress code
Loose clothing is standard; you won’t be able to bundle up even in the cold!
You will be asked to remove all accessories, socks and stockings.
■Time
Each Zen meditation session lasts until one incense burns out (about 40 minutes to 1 hour.)
■How to fold your legs
If your legs are not stable, you cannot do Zen meditation. There are two ways to fold your legs, one is to rest each foot on the opposite thigh (full-lotus position “kekkafuza”) and the other is to rest only one foot on the opposite thigh (half-lotus position “hankafuza”.)
■How to fold your hands
We call folding of the hands Inzo.
First, place the back of your hand on top of your folded feet, then rest the back of your left hand in the same way, overlapping your right. From there, rest your thumbs against each other so they are supporting each other, leaving a slight gap so one sheet of paper can be placed in between.
