STUDIES ON RESPIRATION AND ENERGY-METABOLISM DURING SITTIING IN ZAZEN

Abstract

The Zen Sect assumes an unique position amongst the Buddhist sects at present in Japan. Above all, the Soto Zen Sect is regarded as one of the most advanced of them, while, on the other hand, it represents primitive original Buddhism in some measure much more than any other sect. It teaches us to come to perfect selfenlightenment ad a final achievement of religious life by way of Zazen, or cross-legged sitting, which the Buddha himself practiced during his long religious life. The Zen of another Sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism, Rinzai, which uses Koan beside Zazen, cannot be accepted from the standpoint of Soto Zen Sect. It may therefore fairly be said that the Zazen now practicing in Soto Zen Sect appears the most important and valuable for understanding the traditional Buddha's Zen. Anyway, we can never think of Zen without doing Zazen. Zen is not theory, Religious truth in Buddhism is to be experienced through the practice of Zazen. In this sense Zazen is considered the most fundamental religious exercise in Buddhism. How to practice Zen, therefore, is the most important and regarded as the key to all serious seeker of Soto Zen. Master Dogen called his Zazen unstained practice and enlightenment. This is so-called "Shikan-taza", plain Zazen. It is a Zazen that embraces and transcends thinking and non-thinning. It differs from the waiting-for-enlightenment Zen of Sung China and from old Soto Zen of China. His unique contribution was the emphasis on the self-identity of superior practice and original enlightenment. Now, here is the proper way of practicing Zazen according to the Soto Zen teaching written by Master Dogen (1243).

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