This article was originally featured in the December 2024 issue of Connect.
Joseph Hodgkinson (Hyogo)
What is Zen?
The word Zen is widely recognised in English and often associated with peace and tranquillity. But what does it really mean? Zen is a sect of Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) and later spread to Japan, where it became known as Zen. The term itself is derived from the Sanskrit word for “meditation” (dhyana). Zen gained popularity among samurai and elites in 13th-century Japan, inspiring various art forms, including Zen gardens, haiku, and monochrome ink paintings.
Zen Practices and Philosophies
Zazen (seated meditation), a central Zen practice, involves sitting in a specific posture—often facing a wall—and concentrating on one’s breath or the present moment. The purpose of zazen is to quiet the mind and cultivate insight into existence. Zen teaches that true understanding arises from direct experience, not through intellectual thought. As Shunryu Suzuki wrote in Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, “In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind, there are few.”
Whether in meditation or daily activities, being fully present and mindful is essential to awakening and spiritual insight. This mindfulness is beautifully reflected in the famous haiku by Matsuo Basho:
An old pond
A frog jumps in—
The sound of water
This simple yet profound poem captures a single moment in time. The quiet stillness, interrupted by the frog’s leap, reflects the impermanence of life and the interconnectedness of nature. The haiku reminds us that the ordinary can be extraordinary when we are fully present —a core teaching in Zen Buddhism.
The ordinary can be extraordinary when we are fully present.
Wabi-sabi, a Japanese aesthetic and philosophical concept, is also deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism. It finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. This tradition embraces the natural cycle of growth, decay, and eventual death, mirroring life’s transient nature. Zen similarly denies dualistic thinking, asserting that distinctions like self and world, or good and evil, are illusions. All things are interconnected, forming a unified reality.
How Zen’s Principles Can Enrich Your Life
Practitioners like Jayson Vosz attest that integrating Zen into daily life fosters wellness and stability. Zen’s concept of wabi-sabi encourages us to appreciate imperfections, which in turn fosters acceptance and contentment. Life is full of challenges and regrets, but finding beauty within life’s imperfections can lead to a sense of fulfilment.
Jayson, a JET programme alumnus from Wisconsin, USA, spent two years in a Zen seminary—a period he describes as “hell” but ultimately invaluable. One of the key Zen principles he learned was toraware (unattached thought), which emphasises not being “caught” by a single thought or concept. This idea contrasts with the Western focus on “mindfulness,” which is often seen in discussions about Buddhism. For Jayson, the beauty of Zen lies in its simplicity. As he suggests, “Picture a river; don’t stop it, don’t dam it up.” Instead, he explains, we should let thoughts come and go.
“Picture a river; don’t stop it, don’t dam it up.”
Adopting this mindset also aligns with Zen’s non-dualistic philosophy, which can reduce stress and anxiety by helping us distance ourselves from negative experiences. Similar to Stoicism, Zen encourages people to refrain from reacting impulsively to external events. Jayson recalls asking the temple head why Zen lectures were rare, to which he received the simple response: “If you want to learn about Zen, read a book. If you want to learn Zen, keep practising.” This points to Zen’s emphasis on direct experience and concrete practices like zazen and gyo, which refers to the small acts that shape daily life. Such exercises allow practitioners to engage deeply with their lives without getting entangled in their thoughts.
Another cornerstone of Zen, as Jayson explains, is the concept of mu (nothingness)—represented by the character 無—which appears frequently in daily chants. This philosophy extends to emotions: “Go ahead and feel them, but don’t let them control you,” he advises. Indifference, he suggests, is not about suppressing emotions but rather experiencing them without attachment. As a Zen saying goes, “let go or be dragged.” Embracing this mindset frees the practitioner to find peace in everyday life and the natural world, which leads to a fuller sense of the present.
Finally, simplicity is highly valued in Zen, as seen in its gardens, architecture, and zazen practice. While certainly easier said than done, avoiding overcomplication and focusing on essentials can allow us to experience life more fully by reducing distractions, attachments, and desires. As Jayson points out, it’s about letting the river of thoughts and life flow naturally rather than trying to control it.
Originally from London, UK, Joseph is a second-year ALT in Hyogo Prefecture who loves exploring Japan and immersing himself in its rich culture and history. Aside from writing, he enjoys playing guitar, sipping coffee, and retro gaming. His favourite time of year is autumn, especially Halloween.