Three monks are sitting in meditation in the so-called zazen position (sitting meditation), also known as “lotus position”: the legs are crossed, the spine is perfectly upright, the chin slightly points down, towards the neck, the eyes are closed or half-closed, the body is relaxed, the spirit is wide awake; while meditating, the mind is gradually freed from its contents, until the ultimate realization of Buddha’s nature, that is the unfathomable essence of all things that dwell in everyone of us. In the first century AD Buddhism arrived in China: the meeting of Buddhism and Chinese pragmatism gave birth to the very peculiar spiritual practice of Zen, as it was later called in Japan, around the year 1200 AD. Zen can thus be considered the blend of different traditions, although its essence is perfectly Buddhist, as its only aim is to reach the ultimate awakening, or enlightenment.

Zen monks reach enlightenment through the contemplation of their original nature, which is Buddha’s nature, as they believe that our primary nature is perfect; the process of enlightenment thus simply consists in becoming what we have always been since the beginning. Zen does not rely so much on tenets, concepts or theories, but rather seeks for awakening in everyday life and actions.
Therefore, Zen can be said to be an experience, a means to “awaken” to ourselves, “here and now”, that is in every moment’s perfection.