Zen originated in China around the 5th century CE as Chan. Heavily influenced by Taoist culture and yogic practices, Chan emerged as its own tradition. From China, Chan traveled to Vietnam, Korea, and eventually to Japan. In Japanese, Chan is called Zen. Lineage is very important in Zen and Chan traditions, and most teachers can trace their lineage back to Bodhidharma.

Zen students spend time sitting in meditation, known as zazen. Reading and understanding teachings is wonderful, but the focus of this tradition is on actually practicing and observing mind and experience. Zazen usually begins with a focus on the breath, and students will move on to simply sitting (known as shikantaza) and koan study with a Zen teacher.

Zen has heavily influenced artistic styles in Asia, and become rather trendy in the West in recent decades. Prominent Zen teachers include Thich Nhat Hanh, Suzuki Roshi, Wu Bong, and Jakusho Kwong Roshi. Although we have relatively little experience with Zen practice, we do recommend the books Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh and Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Suzuki Roshi.

• Dimensions: 9.8cm by 4.3cm
• Includes a free guided meditation to inner peace (10 mins)

Order by 11pm for same day dispatch.

USA: Deliveries are 3 to 7 business days. 

International: Standard International deliveries are 2 to 11 business days.

You have 60 days in which to return your purchase.

More info here

We are a small group of Buddhists loving people who decided to undertake this small project to save & repopulate the Buddhist monk children population around the world.

Using the proceeds raised, we will help provide food and other necessities to keep Buddhist monk children happy, healthy, and protected.

A regular supply of healthy food is very critical for a dynamic, growing community. The needs are very simple – rice, dhal, potatoes, vegetables, occasional fruit or yogurt, chapattis with peanut butter – really nothing fancy.

And of course everybody needs thukpa, the Tibetan-style noodle soup that is the staple diet of all mountain people in the Himalayan area. Then there are occasional treats for special days, such as vegetable momos, omelets for breakfast, and a very occasional cheese sandwich.

To the younger monks, extra servings of fruit and salad are offered three times a week. Once a week eggs are included in meals - mostly in the form of egg-curry, or boiled eggs for breakfast. The very small ones get a glass of milk once a day.

The evening meal consist of Thukpa (noodle soup), alternating with fried rice or chow min, the absolute favorites. Tea is served with every meal, sometimes milk tea, black tea or herbal tea.

The cost of food in Nepal has increased by more 15% over the past few years. Vegetables and dairy products have become more expensive, (depending on the season). Another reasons for the increase is the increased cost of transport - fuel has tripled in price, increasing the transport costs of everything. The cost of cooking fuel such as gas and kerosene has also risen sharply. The monthly food bills for the monastery have accordingly increased to around 9500 US$ a month around 1 US$ per person per day.