WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In modern Buddhist practice in Japan, Taiwan, and the West, lay students often attend these intensive practice sessions or retreats. These are held at many Zen centers or temples.

Detailed explanation-2: -During the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333), Zen become popular as a part of Japanese Buddhism, and its influence started to spread across Japan. Many Zen Buddhist temples were also built around the time. Even today, Zen is widely practiced as a type of meditation.

Detailed explanation-3: -Zen was first introduced into Japan as early as 653-656 C.E. in the Asuka period (538–710 C.E.), at the time when the set of Zen monastic regulations was still nonexistent and Chan masters were willing to instruct anyone regardless of buddhist ordination.

Detailed explanation-4: -Kyoto, Nara and Kamakura are famous for their Zen temples, plenty of which offer meditation lessons.

Detailed explanation-5: -As a sect of Buddhism that places great emphasis on intuition outside of conscious thought, Japanese Zen Buddhism has helped to mold Japanese culture. Including things like tea ceremonies, landscape gardening, and martial arts, Zen Buddhism is what most Westerners tend to think of when they think of ancient Japan.