Everything Zen

"Sentient beings are numberless 

We vow to save them all 

Delusions are endless 

We vow to cut through them all 

Teachings are infinite 

We vow to learn them all 

The Buddha way is inconceivable 

We vow to attain it." 

These are the vows spoken by a group of people sitting in a building in Norwood, Ohio. They are arranged in a circular formation. Some have their legs crossed, others kneel. Some have their eyes open, others keep them closed or somewhere in between. 

This situation occurs four times a week at the Cincinnati Zen Center, located down the road from Rookwood Commons. 

Zen Master Dae Gak opened the center in 1994. It has been in its current location since 2001.  

The center is moderately furnished: cubbies are near the door to store shoes and other personal items. The actual meditation takes place on a large carpeted-area toward the back of the building. 

A small podium at the right of the carpeted area houses an image of the Buddha. 

Officially, the CZC is a not-for-profit religious organization. However, Mark Davis, abbot of the center since 1999, does not consider Zen a religion. 

"Zen is a practice of inquiring into one's life," said Davis. He acknowledged that although Zen has its roots in Buddhism there are Zen Christians, Zen Jews and Zen atheists in addition to Zen Buddhists.  

The CZC does house an image of the Buddha, but according to Davis there are centers that do not. 

"The Buddha's inquiry isn't yours. Your life is your inquiry," said Davis. 

The Buddha refers to Siddhartha Gautama, the son of a wealthy landowner in the fifth century B.C. upon leaving the estate, Siddhartha witnessed things that changed his existence. It is said he attempted fasting and hardships before attaining enlightenment by learning the middle path, or moderation. He then attained Buddhahood. 

During the first few days of the center, things were more formal. Meditation was conducted in formal gray robes. Davis noted that the formalities were not serving the practice well and were altered. Currently, appropriate dress is simply what is casual and comfortable. 

The center is funded entirely by member donations and event fees. It is associated with Furnace Mountain in Kentucky. Located in Red River Gorge, Furnace Mountain offers more formal options. CZC co-hosts a few events with Furnace Mountain every year.  

The word Zen itself simply means "meditation." 

The CZC practices four types of meditation: sitting, walking, bowing and chanting. 

Chanting causes a single voice to merge with group voices. The CZC chants in English and other languages. The most common chant performed by Buddhists is the "Heart Sutra." Davis said that it's almost universal. 

The center provides chant books and newcomers are encouraged to chant along, but not required.  

Walking and bowing are considered practices of movement. They cause a conscious interaction with the body and mind. 

According to Davis sitting meditation is the most recognizable part of Zen. The process involves sitting still for 25 to 30 minutes. Davis said in today's society of constant activity, the process of just sitting still is a profound one.  

Most associate sitting meditation with the lotus position. The lotus position involves sitting on a cushion with the legs crossed in front of a person with the soles of the foot near the inner thigh. 

Davis does not recommend this position for beginners unless they are very flexible. Instead it is suggested that beginners kneel with two cushions supporting their posterior. It is even appropriate to sit on a chair. 

"The first barrier to Zen practice is the barrier of the body," said Davis. 

At the CZC meditation begins with bowing. Then, members perform a series of chants and enter the first period of sitting meditation. Newcomers are instructed to sit with their hands placed in front of them, left hand held in right. 

Each sitting meditation session lasts about 25 minutes. It is suggested that newcomers focus on, or even count, their breaths. Books about Zen suggest that if discomfort or an itch occurs to focus on it, experience it and then feel it pass.  

If that does not work, Davis said it is acceptable for a person to bow, readjust oneself and return to meditation. 

"The goal of the practice isn't to endure pain, but discomfort can be useful," said Davis. He said eventually the physical limitations fade leaving the person to focus more on the mind. Davis said that can be more difficult.  

After the period of sitting meditation draws to a close, the meditation leader hits his hand with a stick to signal its end. Then participants stand up and begin their first of two walking-meditation sessions. Newcomers may find one limb or both have fallen asleep. 

The meditation leader instructs the group to attempt to walk in rhythm with the person in front of them. Afterwards they return to their cushions for another period of sitting meditation. After three periods of sitting meditation the session is complete. 

On certain dates, members leave the meditation circle to participate in one-on-one Dharma talks or interviews with a senior member of the center. Dharma refers to the teachings of the Buddha. 

Those that attend the center regularly were attracted by a variety of means, according to Davis. 

"Typically there is some question that has driven them," he said. 

He recounted his own experience of studying religion in college before "finding the momentum" for Zen nine years ago. 

Todd Juengling of Cincinnati said he attends the center because it is easier to motivate him to meditate in a group than meditating on his own. 

Kristen Wilkes, a graduate and continuing education student of UC, said it was a conversation with a friend that brought her to the center. Once there, she said she had beginners luck.