Yes, I do. No, I don't. But whether we've had formal training in Zen or not, all Japanese have been influenced by it. It's said that Japanese culture is Zen culture. We may think of Zen Buddhism as a way to achieve enlightenment through serenity. It's very simple yet very complex at the same time. You could study it for a lifetime.
How can you study it formally?
You can go to a Zen Buddhist temple to study with the priests. You can stay for a few weeks or a few months if you like. It varies with the temple. Some people go back periodically to continue their study.
What are some of the cultural influences of Zen?
They're everywhere - the tea ceremony, for example, or flower arrangement. And they often prefer quiet reflection at times when people from other cultures might talk a lot. Maybe that's why we say that Japanese culture is Zen culture.
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