Zafu

The zafu (座 蒲japanese, chinese蒲团) is a traditional seat cushion, which is used to sitting meditation. The name means " seat from bulrush " whose fibers in China, the country of origin of Zafus served as raw material.

The zafu is round with about 35 cm in diameter and 10 to 15 cm seat height. The cover is made of strong cotton cloth, in traditional Zendo always black. The section comprises two circular deck areas and a revolving rectangular side panel with vertical expansion folds. Often, a carrying strap and a name tag sewn. The cushion is traditionally filled with kapok, Western variants with spelled or buckwheat chaff. Since the kapok filling is only partially elastic, Zafu has brought back by hand in shape and are occasionally topped up after each use.

The zafu is usually on a rectangular padded seat pad, the Zabuton used. Man sitting on the front half of the zafu, the legs, preferably the lotus seat, clasped. The Zafu causes an increased slightly forward inclined position of the pelvis and thereby promotes two main characteristics of an effective meditation posture: Contact the knees to the floor and a stretched spine.

The zafu is the tool and also a symbol of zazen. Before and after sitting in the zendo ( meditation hall ), the neighbor by a Gassho Tetto ( bow with folded hands ) are greeted in the direction of your own zafu, then a Gassho done Tetto to the opposite side of the room.