About Zen and meditation

　I'm a monk of the Soto sect, but what are the characteristics of zazen in the Soto sect
① Face wall zazen (face wall zazen)... Look at yourself by zazen facing the wall.
② Just meditate (meditate)... You don't attain enlightenment by doing zazen meditation; zazen itself is enlightenment.
③ Dignity is Buddhism and manners (Iigisokubuppou, Sahoko Shushi)... Faithfully performing the forms, manners, and procedures of zazen meditation is emphasized in performing zazen.
④ 40 minutes of zazen After 5 minutes of sutras (kinhin), there is a 10-minute hiatus (Tosu) break, and 40 minutes of zazen meditation.
⑤ When zazen, use a round seat cushion (zafu).
The characteristic of zazen is that it can be performed at home or under the blue sky without being in a temple. The Buddha itself is zazen meditating.
However, just because you've done zazen doesn't mean your mind will calm down. It may have a relatively calming effect, but it does not avoid real problems. There is no such thing as zazen meditation for your own convenience, so don't misunderstand that. Please enjoy zazen from the bottom of your heart so you don't blame it on zazen because you haven't been able to overcome your anxiety.

One stick (one stick)... about 1 9-inch incense stick
Sutras (kinhin)... walking for every breath after zazen meditation. It has the effect of relieving numbness and stiff legs. It is called walking zazen.
Toji (Tosu)... it's about toilets. There are also manners when using Toji, so ask a monk when you go to zazen sessions.
Zafu (zafu)... I think it was originally a pillow. An ascetic monk sleeps by using a sitting position as a pillow. Incidentally, the Rinzai sect seems to do zazen by folding a futon to a height that is easy to sit on.

Fumajodo (Goma Narimichi)
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When Buddha was still a troubled person just like you, the last thing he did was meditate (zenjo).
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The Buddha sat quietly and chased anxiety to every corner of his heart, and thoroughly crushed it. It was a fierce battle against “demons,” where the flesh was torn, bones were broken, and blood was scattered.
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Meditation, which seems like just sitting quietly, actually has intense inner movements, devoting one's mind to everything, and working to completely eliminate anxiety. If you notice it beyond that, it will happen that it is “leak-free (obviously).”
Your anxiety will go away.
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What you call “nothing” seems to mean trying not to think about it or being insensitive to anxiety, but it's actually different.
If you think things through and don't have any anxiety anymore, the state of being filled with peace of mind is called “nothing.”
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Please go ahead and get rid of even the smallest anxiety by chasing it down to every corner of your heart.

All of this is unsuitable, so I can't say anything about it. People who are too obese make an effort to lose weight, and people who are too thin make an effort to gain weight, right? So which is better, increase or decrease? It's not going to be a story like that, is it? It is determined according to each person's physical condition and constitution, and it's something you won't know until you try it. The differences in sectarian practices are born from such places.

It's an unkind answer, but I dared to write it this way because I really want you to try various things. I say that because I wonder if I'll meet a good leader after all.

Well, Zen and meditation... there are definitely a lot of them. There are more than there are many denominations (laughs) There are many denominations that can be done at home or outside (maybe not because the Jodo Shinshu is characterized by denying ascetic practices in the first place). Once you understand, you can push the stroller and go round and round the escalator, or you can do it while sitting on a chair at a shoe store (← don't imitate a good kid).

However, after all, you should go learn at first. There are many people who have strained their self-education, become strangely fanatical, and have become tengu and their personalities have become difficult. If you move in the direction of self-righteousness, it's counterproductive, and that's not a question of methodology; it's a question of whether or not relationships can be cherished.

First, why don't you try going nearby using zazen sessions or small ascetic practices as keywords? Praying at a temple and putting hands together... that itself also has a simple element of meditation.

A mind that doesn't involve one's mind in external events is called sitting.
I'm not going to sit down.
It's not just sitting.
It's just that, but if you keep in mind the sign and label that says “just,” it's not just that either.
Even when humans keep silent, all kinds of thoughts pop up.
Take a close look at it. These thoughts are not born naturally by you.
It is fully automatic and completely spontaneous.
If you don't lose it, you have to go away.
There are two types of thoughts: primary occurrence and secondary occurrence.
What does not make you feel secondary is the view of zazen meditation.
This is because all my secondary thoughts are private thoughts I have been involved in.
The stance of not doing that seems to be the case with zazen.
For example, various information pops up on LINE and Facebook.
People who pick it up a lot one by one make a big fuss when it's the height of Guess, go for it.
The person I'm not interested in is Mr. Hotke.
This is because I don't let them get involved in a secondary way. It's important to live that kind of life without having to do zazen meditation.
Please try turning it around. You may be doing the opposite of what was described above.
I let myself get involved in everything that comes up and what I care about.
If you are involved with yourself, there must be a movement of “becoming me” as a movement of the mind.
It's the same as the mentality of people who interrupt anything and plunge their necks in.
Let's try to live a way of life without doing that. Let's become a living zazen meditation.
If you want to hear more details, please ask questions about Toyama Zazen Kaikai or the Facebook group “TOKYO Zen” page.