Jap., lit. “Zen Hall” (also dojo – “Way Hall”, and sodo) a hall or room (roughly the equivalent of a sanctuary in a church) where formal zazen (seated meditation) is practiced. The zendo is also used for ceremonies, chanting and other events. This makes it the heart and the most important area of every Zen center. As such it is “The place of the Buddha” and deserves our veneration and respect.
Even though a zendo built in the traditional style is very conducive to the practice of zazen. Zen masters stress repeatedly that the practice of Zen fundamentally does not require a special room in a quiet, idyllic environment – though such circumstances are naturally helpful and even indispensable for beginners in zazen. As Dogen Zenji (one of the founders of our sect of Zen) said, “Waga shin kore dojo”, “Your own heart, that is the practice hall.”
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