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Zen Buddhism: A Guide to Its History, Practice, and Meaning
1. Introduction: What Is Zen? Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes direct, experiential insight into the nature of existence. At its heart, Zen is not a belief system or a philosophy to be studied, but a practice to be embodied. The word “Zen” is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word “Chan,”
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Zazen Meditation: A Guide to the Practice of “Just Sitting”
1. What is Zazen? Understanding the Heart of Zen Practice Zazen is the central meditation practice of Zen Buddhism. The word is Japanese: “Za” means “to sit,” and “Zen” means “meditation.” So, Zazen literally translates to “seated meditation.” But it is much more than simply sitting quietly. It is a practice of bringing your full