How to Find a Zen Master
To find a Zen master, you will need to find a school or Buddhist monastery that teaches the art of Zen. The difference between Zen and other types of Buddhism is that the former originated and is primarily taught in Japan. As Buddhism traveled from India throughout Asia, it took on the characteristics of the nations that it passed through. When it stopped in Japan it naturally took on aspects of Japanese culture. In Japan, teachers have traditionally emphasized discipline and sitting practice. Zen Buddhism therefore acquired a basic simplicity and also focuses on compassion.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Run a Google search that includes your state’s name with the following key words:Zen monasteryZen BuddhismZen MasterFor instance I ran a search on "New York + Zen Buddhist Monastery" and came up with a list of monasteries located in that state. Wikipedia has an article that lists Buddhist monasteries worldwide, however not all of the temples listed practice Zen.
-
2
Once you have found a monastery close to you, call and ask about the services they offer. Some will allow the public to attend meditation seminars that last up to ten days. Some will require the commitment of joining the monastery if you want to be trained by a Zen master.
-
-
3
If you can’t find a monastery located close to you, and you can’t travel to visit one, try looking for a Zen group on meetup.com. Go to meetup.com and type in Zen Buddhism and your zip code. This is not the same as studying with a Zen master, but you can at least expose yourself to Zen teachings. You can spend time with people who are interested in the same philosophy as yourself and who want to learn meditation.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
As with any group, keep a certain degree of wariness. If you feel uncomfortable at the temple, go with your gut. Don’t do anything that you feel is not right for you. If you are told to part with a large amount of money to learn Zen meditation techniques, call into question the credibility of the organization you have found. You can find organizations that teach meditation and other philosophy for a low cost or even free of charge. If you are told that you must pay to learn a “higher” level of learning, look elsewhere for enlightenment.
