Though it's one of many, Zen Buddhism is likely the most well known branch of Buddhism, at least in the West. It is a simple practice which concentrates on meditation techniques as the way to arrive at enlightenment. Other Zen Buddhism practices do exist, however.
Soto is almost certainly the best known sect of Zen outside of Japan, and one of the two primary ones in Japan along with the Rinzai. Both, as with all other Zen branches, focus mostly on meditation. The word Zen itself derives from the word utilized for meditation in Sanskrit. Enlightenment is thought to be found by directing focus within, and meditation is seen as the perfect technique to do this.
To meditate in the Soto style, you would look toward the wall and sit quietly. You should pay attention to thoughts as they appear, but just as effortlessly let them go. With the Rinzai style, you would face the center of the room and focus on your breathing, permitting it to calm your mind and body.
Indeed, Zen Buddhist meditation techniques, known as zazen, can be done anyplace. If you focus your attention on just one activity at a time, anything you do during the day can become zazen. Nevertheless, time should be set aside on a daily basis for meditation, even if just for five minutes. What's vital is that a regular practice is put into place.
As you would expect, monks will sit and meditate for much longer. Periods of sitting meditation will often be broken up by periods of walking meditation. This will provide the legs a chance to stretch. Sesshins are meditation retreats for a few days which lay students participate in. They will meditate for hours on a daily basis, along with doing some work around the grounds and attending lectures.
Although Zen isn't as well recognized for chanting as various other sects, it is part of the practice at quite a few temples. Sutras which are often included in this practice are the Heart Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, among other sutras and mantras. There are also altars with figures of Buddhas. House altars are often used to honor ancestors.
Meditating on Koans is a popular practice of Zen, and largely practiced by the Rinzai sect. These stories or phrases do not make much sense on the face of it. They're meant to drive the meditator into a deeper level of awareness. Without this, the Koan will not be comprehended.
All Zen Buddhism practices have as their goal Satori, or enlightenment. When you reach Satori, you'll no longer need to be reincarnated into this world, which is viewed as a place of suffering. Although meditation is the key part of the practice, adding other techniques can help you to achieve that aim.
