Karinoya Learning Room

Daily Life Lessons · Temples

Shakyo and Zazen Experiences

Goal of this lesson

For shakyo (sutra copying) and zazen (seated meditation) experiences at temples, be able to check the date, reservation and fee yourself and apply, and on the day take part following the etiquette and the guidance of the monk.

Explanation

Shakyo (写経) means copying Buddhist sutras by hand, and zazen (座禅, also written 坐禅) means sitting quietly while settling your posture and breathing. Both are Buddhist practices. Some temples hold sessions for the general public, and some of them welcome participants regardless of their faith.

Before you take part, check the temple's official website or other sources for the date and time, whether a reservation is needed, the fee (such as a sutra offering fee 納経料 or a donation 志納金), and how long it takes. For shakyo, some temples provide the tools, and some let you choose a pencil instead of a brush. Copying the Heart Sutra (般若心経) can take an hour or more. The finished copy is sometimes offered to the temple.

For zazen, clothing that does not restrict your body is suitable. For people who find it difficult to cross their legs, there is also zazen sitting on a chair. Etiquette such as putting your palms together (合掌) and bowing differs by Buddhist school and temple, so follow the explanation of the monk leading the session.

Read in Easy Japanese (yasashii nihongo)

写経（しゃきょう）は、お経（きょう）を 書き写す ことです。 座禅（ざぜん）は、静かに 座る ことです。 どちらも 仏教（ぶっきょう）の 修行（しゅぎょう）です。 体験できる お寺が あります。

1. お寺の ホームページで、日にち・予約（よやく）・料金（りょうきん）・時間を 見ます。 2. 写経の 道具を 用意して いる お寺も あります。鉛筆（えんぴつ）で 書ける お寺も あります。 3. 座禅の 日は、きつくない 服を 着ます。 4. 足を 組めない 人は、いすに 座る 座禅も あります。 5. お坊さんの 説明に したがいます。

やり方は お寺に よって ちがいます。

Check quiz

Q1

What is shakyo?

  1. Copying a Buddhist sutra by hand
  2. Cleaning the temple
  3. Selling pictures of Buddha statues
  4. Ringing the bell
AnswerA. Copying a Buddhist sutra by hand

Shakyo is a Buddhist practice of copying sutras by hand.

Q2

What should you check before joining an experience?

  1. Nothing needs to be checked
  2. A certificate of your Buddhist school
  3. The date and time, whether a reservation is needed, the fee and how long it takes
  4. Results of a kneeling-posture test
AnswerC. The date and time, whether a reservation is needed, the fee and how long it takes

Check the date and time, whether a reservation is needed, the fee and how long it takes on the official website or other sources.

Q3

What about people who find it hard to cross their legs?

  1. They cannot join zazen
  2. There is also zazen sitting on a chair
  3. They should endure the pain
  4. They join lying down
AnswerB. There is also zazen sitting on a chair

For people who find it difficult to cross their legs, there is also zazen sitting on a chair.

Q4

What clothing is suitable for zazen?

  1. Tight clothes
  2. A swimsuit
  3. Clothes that make loud noises
  4. Clothing that does not restrict your body
AnswerD. Clothing that does not restrict your body

Clothing that does not restrict your body is suitable for zazen.

Q5

What should you do if you don't know the etiquette, such as putting your palms together and bowing?

  1. Do it your own way
  2. Ask loudly in the middle of the session
  3. Follow the explanation of the monk leading the session
  4. Leave without doing anything
AnswerC. Follow the explanation of the monk leading the session

Etiquette differs by Buddhist school and temple, so follow the explanation of the monk leading the session.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Can I do shakyo even if I can't read Japanese?

A. Some shakyo uses paper where the model characters show through from underneath, so you can trace over them. Whether guidance is available in foreign languages differs by temple, so check when you apply.

Q. What happens to the finished copy?

A. It is often offered (dedicated) to the temple, and in some cases you can take it home. How it is handled differs by temple, so follow the instructions on the day.

Q. What is a keisaku (警策)?

A. A keisaku (read kyosaku or keisaku) is a stick used to strike the shoulder during zazen; it is said to help drive away drowsiness and encourage practice. In Soto Zen etiquette, it is explained that the monk first lightly taps the right shoulder as a signal and then strikes. Some practice halls do not use the keisaku, and whether it is used and how to receive it differ by Buddhist school and temple. Listen carefully to the explanation before the session begins.

Practice: answer the questions on this page

This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.

Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03

This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original