In short: Zen is a Mahayana school that began as Chan in China and spread to Korea (Seon), Vietnam and Japan, and to the West in the twentieth century. Its core practice is zazen, seated meditation, with the aim of seeing one's own mind directly. Soto Zen stresses just sitting; Rinzai uses koans.
Practice
- Zazen: sit upright, follow the breath, let thoughts pass. See zazen for beginners.
- Kinhin: slow walking between sits.
- Sesshin: intensive retreat. See what is a sesshin?
- Koan: a teaching question used in Rinzai practice.
Find one
Zen centers · first visit · vipassana vs Zen · Zen temples in Japan · Templestay in Korea
Compare: schools of Buddhism · Theravada · what Buddhists believe
Sutra: the Heart Sutra
Questions people ask
What is the main practice of Zen?
Zazen, seated meditation, usually facing a wall or the room in silence, sometimes with a koan or just sitting.
What is the difference between Soto and Rinzai?
Soto emphasises shikantaza, just sitting. Rinzai uses koan practice. Both are Japanese Zen schools.
Do I have to be Buddhist to try Zen?
No. Zen centers welcome beginners, and many hold introductory evenings.