Here you find a collection of technical terms and concepts from zen, contemplation, mindfulnes as well as psychology and religious studies that stem from the traditions that are practiced at the Benediktushof.
We have compiled this collection to the best of our knowledge and belief. Every dictionary is a living web of concepts and therefore nevere complete. Therefore we welcome any suggestions for additions and improvements by e-mail.
Zazen
Zazen literally means: sitting in meditation. The essence of zazen is the posture of pure, attentive, immediate presence, free from evaluation. Zazen can therefore be described as the pure form of mindfulness.Zazen-kai
A zazen-kai is similar to a one-day sesshin and gives the opportunity to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a day and practice zazen in silence. The teacher gives a teisho (lecture) and offers the opportunity for docusan (one-on-one conversation).Zen
Zen is a spiritual path of experience, which has its roots in Buddhism, but does not know any beliefs and can therefore be practiced independently of religion. It is a direct path that requires determination and consistency. The central exercise consists of letting go of all thoughts and ideas while sitting upright in silence (zazen). The goal is to experience the true nature of all that exists, from which the creative power for everyday life flows.Zen Arts
Zen arts are those that arise from the Zen attitude and combine creativity with mindfulness in a special way. Important Zen arts are: “Chado” (the way of the tea ceremony), “Ikebana” (the way of flower arranging), “Shodo” (the way of calligraphy), “Budo” (the way of martial skills), “Kyudo” (the way of archery).Zen courses
The heart of the Zen exercise is zazen, the sitting in silence. There are various course formats for this: Zen on Saturday (spontaneous and free of registration or fees on certain Saturdays 10-13); introductory courses (theoretical and practical introduction to the exercise); Zen practice days (daily sitting, meditative walking, qigong and a lecture); Zazen-Kai (one-day); short sesshin (weekend); sesshin or retreat (at least four days of intensive zazen, i.e. sitting periods of up to 40 minutes.Zen on Saturday
Spontaneously and free of registration or fees, Zen on Saturday offers the opportunity to sit in silence together with a Zen master or teacher from 10-13 o’clock and integrate this exercise into everyday life. The subsequent get-together at the Troand Restaurant will provide an opportunity for encounter and exchange with like-minded peoplZen practice days
Zen practice days allow intensive practice of zazen. The teacher gives a daily teisho (lecture) and offers the opportunity for docusan (one-on-one conversation).Zen-Ken-Sho (Zen Sword Brush)
Zen-Ken-Sho combines Zazen (sitting in silence), Aikiken (exercises with the wooden sword) and Hitsuzendo (brush and ink) into an experiential path that brings together silence, movement and creativity. Zazen supports inner concentration and Aikiken supports determination. Writing with ink enables the encounter with one’s own trace of life. The connecting element is Kokyu, the power of breathing.Zendo
In the Zendo (Japanese: “hall of meditation”), a more or less large meditation room, zazen is practiced in the community of a group.
