Zen is one of the Buddhist schools in Japan that teaches meditation and to obtain serenity of mind. It originated in India, then moved to China and later intoduced to Japan in 1168 by Eisai as Rinzai Zen. Then Dogen founded Soto Zen in 1223. Zazen is a practice of Zen, meditation in a siting pose with crossed legs and seeks to attain the highest state of mental concentration for enlightenment. Zen monks practise Zazen twice a day. When the trainees concentration wavers, the jikido (trainer), touches them with a kyosaku on the shoulder. Trainees will bow deeply. There are a few different ways to practise Zen through experiences.
Takuhatsu: one of the Zen practices when priest is reading sutras in front of the houses begging for money and food.
Shojin ryori: is a traditional Buddhist monks dinner in Japan. As Buddhism prohibit killing animals, all meals are made from vegetables, beans and rice. It can be enjoyed by vegans and vegetarians as meat, fish and any animal product are excluded from the meals. Shojin ryori also exclude taste of garlic and onion. The monks use the “rule of five”, when every meal offers five colours (green, yellow, red, white and black) and five flavors (sweet, sour, bitter, salty and unami).

If you would like to experience Zen, meditate with monks, stay in the temple lodge and taste shojin ryori send us your request https://bit.ly/2KZIGcI
