History of Zazen|From its introduction in the Kamakura Period to the attention of today’s young people and foreigners

座禅の歴史|鎌倉時代に伝わり、現代の若者・外国人に注目されるまで

Motenas Representative
Motenas Representative

Did you know that “Zazen” is attracting a lot of attention from young people and foreigners?

Zazen was introduced to Japan from China in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) and has been practiced for more than 700 years.

In this issue, we will take an in-depth look at the history of Zazen and ask the questions “What is Zazen? Why is Zazen attracting so much attention? and “Why is Zazen attracting so much attention?

If you are interested in Zazen, or if you want a topic that can be used for entertaining foreigners, please read this book.

The official term for zazen is “zazen,” but this article uses the term “zazen” because it is more widely recognized.

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Zazen originated in China? India?

Zazen originated in China? India?

Let us now look at where zazen originated.

What is Zazen?

Before looking at the history of zazen, let’s first learn more about what zazen is .

Zazen is a practice used in the Zen sect of Buddhism.

Zazen means “to sit” and “Zen” means “to calm the mind and think.

Zazen is the practice of sitting in a correct posture to unify the mind.

Meditation is often confused with zazen, but zazen and meditation have different purposes and are interesting conversation topics to keep in mind.

The purpose of zazen is to practicewhereas the purpose of meditation is to “improve and stabilize the state of mind.

The difference may be a bit confusing, but it is important to remember that zazen is not intended to improve mental health, but rather as a Zen Buddhist practice.

Zen Buddhism] Born in China by Indian monks.

Let us now look at where “Zen Buddhism,” a branch of Buddhism in which Zen meditation is practiced, originated.

Zen Buddhism is said to have been born by the Indian-born monk Daruma Daishi.

Master Bodhidharma was born around the 5th century as a prince of a country in southern India.

After the death of his parent, the king, he became an ordained priest and spent 40 years training in India.

Among them, they also practiced zazen, the ascetic practice in which the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.

The turning point came when my mentor passed away.

He was given a will by his teacher and asked to “transmit correct Buddhism in China.

Following this testament, Master Daruma traveled from India to China for three years and gave birth to Zen Buddhism in China.

It is a well-known legend in the Buddhist world that while establishing the Zen sect, Daruma Daishi practiced Zen meditation facing a wall for nine years.

That is how much Master Daruma valued zazen.

After Daruma’s death, Zen Buddhism was succeeded by his disciples in China.
Reference website: ” Daruma Daishi | [Official] Őbaku Shōrinzan Daruma-ji daruma.or.jp

Kamakura – Edo Period|Introduction of Zen meditation and its flourishing period

Kamakura - Edo Period|Introduction of Zen meditation and its flourishing period

Zen Buddhism, founded in China by Master Daruma, was introduced to Japan around the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

Japanese monks went to China (Sung Dynasty) during that period to train, and after returning to Japan, they spread Zen Buddhism in Japan.

Let us now look at the spread of Zen meditation and Buddhism from the Kamakura period to the Edo period.

Diversification of sects and forms of zazen

Zen Buddhism was spread in Japan by monks who had trained in China, and in the process, sects and forms of zazen became more diverse.

  • Soto Zen
    …Zen meditation is practiced by sitting facing a wall. This sect does not seek enlightenment, but emphasizes the importance of “practicing asceticism.
  • Rinzai-shu
    …Zen meditation is practiced by sitting facing the inside of the dojo. This sect is characterized by the practice of expressing one’s own opinions on questions, and by question-and-answer sessions with one’s teacher.
  • Ōbaku sect
    … Zen meditation is performed after reciting the Buddhist prayer. This sect was spread by Chinese monks who came to Japan, and is characterized by the use of ancient Chinese words for the recitation of the Buddhist prayer.
    Reference site: “ History of Zazen – Understanding “Zazen” Part 2 seikeidenron.jp

It is clear that even within the single term “Zen Buddhism,” there are different ways of doing zazen and different ways of thinking.

The above sects are said to have existed in Japan during the Kamakura period (1185-1333) and are still carefully handed down today.

Eiheiji, a Zen meditation village, is built.

In 1244 A.D., a temple called Eiheiji was built in Echizen (present-day Fukui Prefecture).

▼ Eiheiji Temple, an existing temple in Fukui Prefecture
Eiheiji Temple
Image taken from: ” Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple|recommended sightseeing spots|[Official] Fukui Prefecture Sightseeing/Travel Site | Fukui.com fukui-e.com

Eiheiji Temple was built for the purpose of Zen meditation practice, and even today, it is a place visited by many people, both in Japan and abroad.

The temple is truly a “village of zazen.

The monk who built Eiheiji Temple was Dogen Zenji, who had trained in China.

Dogen Zenji is also known as the person who, upon his return to Japan, corrected Zen meditation from the way it was to the way it was done “in the form that Shakyamuni Buddha did.

You can see that Eiheiji Temple was built to value the practice of “zazen” and to pass it on to future generations.
Reference site: ” [Official website] Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple website daihonzan-eiheiji.com “.

Although a little time has passed since Eiheiji was built, the following Zen temples are also still in existence.

  • Tofukuji Temple: Founded in 1255.
    …The main temple of the Tofukuji School of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. It took about 19 years to build the temple, and although it was damaged several times by fire and other disasters, it has been reconstructed and still exists. There are 14 head temples of the Rinzai sect.

  • Manpukuji Temple: Founded in 1661
    …the head temple of the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism. The building, built in the ancient Chinese style, is designated as an important cultural property of Japan.

All of the temples boast hundreds of years of history, and Zen Buddhism and Zen meditation have been carefully passed down to the present day.

The Tokugawa Shogunate strengthens the power of Buddhism.

In the Edo period (1603-1867), the “jidan system” strengthened the power of Buddhism, including Zen Buddhism.

The teradan system is like an exclusive contract with one temple for family funeral services.

Originally, only wealthy people such as court nobles and samurai families were allowed to practice temple worship, but during the Edo period, the masses also began to practice temple worship, and the entire nation came to support temples economically.

Furthermore, temples were also entrusted by the Edo shogunate to manage family registers.

What we call today “ID cards” and “notification of moving out” were also issued by temples.
Reference site: ” What is the temple registration system? Explanation of its purpose and the origin of the system | Kaju-Kaju-ka-ju.co.jp

Thus, temples became places that played an important role in the Edo period, strengthening the power of Buddhism and passing on ” zazen” to future generations.

Meiji Era – Present Day|Overcoming adversity and spreading to young people and overseas

Meiji Era - Present Day|Overcoming adversity and spreading to young people and overseas

Zazen” has been carefully handed down from the Kamakura Period to the Edo Period, but it was on the verge of decline during the Meiji Period.

Let us now look at the crisis that occurred during the Meiji era and where Zazen stands today.

Crisis of Buddhist decline due to the Meiji Restoration

In the Meiji era, Buddhism and Zazen faced a crisis of decline.

This was the result of the “Haibutsu Kishaku,” or the movement to abolish Buddhism.

People have different views on the abolition of Buddhism, but I have excerpted the contents from the website of a temple called Myouenji, which was located in the Satsuma clan at that time.

The purpose of this policy was to wipe out the Shinto/Buddhist syncretism within shrines and to nationalize Shinto under the divine authority of the Emperor. However, this policy triggered activities throughout the country in which priests, who until the Meiji era were of low status and subordinate to priests, took advantage of the policy to destroy and burn temple halls, Buddhist statues, Buddhist ritual implements, sutras, Buddhist paintings, and picture scrolls, as well as to strip temples of their land and property.”
Cited from: ” Kishaku (abolition of Buddhism)|Hochiyama Myoenji Temple | Hochizan Myoenji Temple myoenji.jp

In other words, the early Meiji Era saw the destruction of many temples and Buddhist statues, a “subversion of Buddhism.

The suppression continued for several years, but thanks to the faith of the monks, the Buddhist ban was lifted.

In this way, Zazen” was revived along with Buddhism, and has been carefully passed down to the present day.

Relaxation” is favored by young people.

In the modern age, zazen is also favored by young people.

It is particularly popular among young people in their 20s, many of whom feel that they want to heal their worries and stress by adjusting their minds through zazen.
Reference site: ” Zazen, Fasting, Yamabushi… Why young people are practicing asceticism? Experiencing Zen meditation at temples is popular:Asahi.com

I explained the difference between zazen and meditation in the first half of this article. Originally, the purpose of zazen is not to prepare the mind, but to “practice”.

Nevertheless, it is also said that by putting the mind at zero through zazen, the result can be expected to be relaxing and stress-reducing.
Reference website: ” Sojijiji World Zen Challenge zen-in-one.jp

Zazen, which is a way to let one’s mind be at peace, may be supported by modern people who tend to get tired of too much information and human relationships through social networking sites and work.

In addition to the zazen experience, many temples also offer the same ” training” experience plans as monks, such as vegetarian cooking and sutra copying, which are said to be very popular.

▼ Zazen event by Sojiji Temple, the head temple of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism.
Zen meditation event by Sojiji Temple, the head temple of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism.
Image credit: ” Soji Temple World Zen Challenge zen-in-one.jp

Zazen” used to be practiced as a form of “ascetic practice,” but it is a feature of today’s world that people can casually participate in events and experience plans.

By making it easy for those who are interested to experience it, it will be a step toward passing on “Zazen” , which has been practiced since the Kamakura Period, to the future.

Celebrities and celebrities from abroad have also taken notice of the company.

Zazen has attracted the attention of celebrities and celebrities from abroad.

For example, Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, is famous for his lifelong practice of zazen.

In fact, Mr. Jobs knocked on the door of a Zen meditation dojo for the first time in the U.S. when he was 20 years old, and it is surprising that this was a Zen meditation dojo opened by a Japanese monk.
Reference site: ” Steve Jobs and Zen – Omotesenke Chado Kyoshitsu Kumpukai omotesenke-kunpukai.com

Also, top international executives such as Evan Williams, founder of the former Twitter (now X), have studied Zazen and incorporated it into their lifestyle.

Due in part to the influence of these celebrities and celebrities, attention to Zazen in other countries is also increasing.

For more than 700 years, people have been preparing their minds for zazen

Zazen

Zazen has been practiced in Japan for more than 700 years.

Today, Zazen is favored by young people and foreigners alike, and even as the times change, Zazen continues to help people to adjust their minds and hearts.

For young people and foreigners, zazen in a temple with a history of several hundred years can be an extraordinary and memorable experience.

Motenas Japan can offer tailor-made proposals such as “Zen meditation experience at a rented out temple” or “Zen meditation experience with an interpreter”.

Of course, arrangements can be made to suit your age, gender, purpose, etc., so please feel free to contact us.

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Zazen experience guide for foreigners, list of temples and custom-made plans | Traditional Culture Experience for foreigners|Motenas Japan motenas-japan.jp

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