Prayer in Soto Zen. Is it practiced? If so, how do I start, or where do i go for resources

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Like most things in Buddhism, it depends on who you ask and where you practice. Prayer isn't a Zen thing. It's just not. Who, exactly, would you be praying to? What would you even ask for? Zen puts a premium on individual effort. Atta dipa. Be a light unto yourself.

Of course, practically speaking, this isn't true in the least. Zen specifically has a whole lot of East Asian culture rolled into it. We might pray to Guanyin for mercy and compassionate support in our practice. We might pray to Manjurshri for wisdom. In Japan, there's a whole host of kami who can help you with everything from your taxes to your SAT to your...ahem...marital problems.

I think the best question you can ask yourself is why you feel the need to pray. Examine that. Based on what you discover, you should be able to find a way forward.

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Prayer in Soto Zen. Is it practiced? If so, how do I start, or where do i go for resources

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