Sesshin

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A Sesshin ( Chinese  接心 , Pinyin jiē xīn , W.-G. Chieh Hsin ; Jap. 接心 ) is a period of different length with concentrated Zen - meditation . It takes place in a Zen monastery or training center, where zazen is practiced much more intensively than in daily Zen practice. The program of a sesshin is characterized by frequent and possibly longer periods of meditation. Depending on the orientation, the meals are also eaten in the zazen position during a sesshin. Long periods of sitting are often interrupted by kinhin (walking meditation). The practiced silence serves the concentration and non- distraction .

In an otherwise monotonous course of zazen and kinhin , sutras - recitation , kōan practice, docusan (the personal conversation with the teacher) and the teishō (lecture) of the roshi represent special changes when viewed from the outside.

But these activities also serve to "become familiar with one's own mind" and are exercised / perceived with the same mental attitude as in the zazen attitude itself.

Meals are taken in ritual form ( Ōryōki ) together and in silence. All activities, including smaller jobs, samu (washing dishes, cleaning, gardening, etc.) are carried out with great presence of mind, certain form and mindfulness . Through the practice of "concentrated doing", the practitioner is given an opportunity to transport and implement the spirit developed in the motionless zazen position in everyday activities.

At the beginning of Zen practice, thinking , which Rinzai says is a wild ape, takes two to three days to settle down and relax; only then does a phase of clarification of the mind and insight begin, which can lead to kenshō (vision of being) and satori (awakening). Longer sesshin require a certain amount of practice in meditative sitting (zazen).

Daily zazen practice is deepened through sesshin practice. As the practice progresses, there are fewer and fewer differences between the concentrated "sesshin mind" and daily awareness.

The sesshins in Zen Buddhism should not be confused with the exercises of the same name in Shinnyo-En .

literature

  • Robert Aitken: Zen as a life practice. 5th edition Diederichs, Munich 1995, ISBN 3-424-00928-8
  • Philip Kapleau: The Three Pillars of Zen. Teaching - practice - enlightenment. 14th edition. Barth, Munich 2004, ISBN 3-502-61132-7
  • Janwillem van de Wetering: The empty mirror. Experience in a Japanese Zen monastery. 20th edition Rowohlt, Reinbek 2000, ISBN 3-499-14708-4
  • Gerta Ital: The master, the monks and me. A woman in the Zen Buddhist monastery. 4th edition Goldmann, Munich 1989, ISBN 3-442-11731-3