Zen Meditation

The Chinese term tso-ch'an (zazen in Japanese) was in use among Buddhist practitioners even before the appearance of the Ch'an (Zen) school. Tso, literally means "sitting." Ch'an is a derivative of the Indian dhyāna which is the yogic practice of attaining a unified mind in meditation. In a broad sense, tso-ch'an refers to any type of meditative practice based on taking the sitting posture, In a more narrow sense, it indicates the methods of meditation that characterize Ch'an/Zen Buddhism.

The following criteria for correct zazen practice have not changed since ancient days. Sit on the floor with the legs crossed either in the full lotus or half lotus position. To make the full lotus, put the right foot on the left thigh, then put the left foot crossed over the right leg onto the right thigh. For the half lotus position only one foot is crossed over onto the thigh of the other; the other foot remains underneath the raised leg.