Saijojo zen (Zen, Japanese)

Rather than a means to attain enlightenment, saijojo zen is enlightenment itself, in that the bussho – buddha nature – immanent in all beings is realized. This highest and most pure form of zazen meditation relies on no support or technique. The attention is open and alert, directed towards no object and free of all thought. Shikantaza – just sitting – is said to be the method practised by buddhas in the past and is currently the preferred method of meditation of the Soto school, which holds that all are in a state of enlightenment – hongaku – which has only to be realized.

The highest form of zazen according to the classification of zazen meditation into five categories by Kuei-feng Tsung-mi.