Finding Time for Zen Together, All Over the World, Through an Online Experience

A Shared Time for Zazen, A Chance for Virtual Interactions

We organized a zazen experience for all employees of a precision equipment manufacturer. Due to the pandemic, employees based overseas were unable to visit Japan, yet the company, wanting to foster communication among colleagues, created an opportunity for everyone to interact online.

We selected zazen for this client because this type of experience does not require any materials in particular and is easy to conduct online. In response to the client’s request for employees to listen to the teachings of a well-known master, we selected a Buddhist priest whom we are acquainted with to lead this experience.

Learning the Spirit of Zen and Reflecting on Happiness with the Guidance of a Globally Minded Zen Master

The session consisted of three parts: a briefing on zazen, the zazen experience itself, and a Buddhist sermon. Leading the session was the deputy chief priest of a Rinzai sect temple in Kyoto, who is a well-known Zen master. 

Participating from their homes, our guests began the experience in a relaxed environment as the English-speaking instructor introduced guests to Japanese temples and zazen, as well as explained how to meditate zazen-style.

During the 10-minute zazen session, the sound of water flowing from a tsukubai stone basin was played to make it easier for participants to focus on meditating. By adjusting their posture, breathing, and thoughts, participants were able to briefly experience this Buddhist ascetic practice.

The instructor has had a vast range of international experience that transcends religious borders: giving talks at foreign embassies, attending international conferences, and more. He put his experience to good use by incorporating it into his sermon. 

Aside from reflecting on zazen and the meaning of happiness, he also shared anecdotes about his visits to Tibet, Europe, and the United States. Participants were quite engaged during the sermon, listening with interest and occasionally laughing whenever the instructor said something in humor.

A Moment to Realign Oneself through Zazen

Having been able to experience the appeal of zazen online, participants made comments such as, "I was able to focus to the point that 10 minutes passed by quickly" and "I felt refreshed after the session." 

Participants also appreciated the fact that the instructor incorporated relevant contemporary topics into his sermon — the company requested that the instructor talk about diversity and new ways of living in light of the pandemic. Many participants found the instructor's advice on zazen breathing techniques and insights on the meaning of happiness to be helpful. 

Thanks to the instructor's extensive international experience, wealth of knowledge, and English fluency, the Buddhist sermon was a fulfilling time for our guests. With no particular materials necessary, an online zazen experience like this one can be experienced together regardless of participants' locations, making it an ideal activity for employees to casually interact across international borders.