<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-20T07:39:56.207Z
Kami us a Shinto concept.  It had nothing to do with Buddhism.
Citizen
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-07T11:55:17.220Z
i.e. (from above) "Zen specifically has a whole lot of East Asian culture rolled into it."
asd123
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-31T01:15:34.027Z
2022-01-31T01:15:34.027Z
asd123
<p>So, I know prayer is a subject in Buddhism, but recently i started trying to learn about prayer in the Soto Zen tradition. I cant seem to find any posts that really help, or some that take me one way and another that takes me the complete other direction. I really just need some good solid place to start.</p>

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

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-01-30)

So, I know prayer is a subject in Buddhism, but recently i started trying to learn about prayer in the Soto Zen tradition. I cant seem to find any posts that really help, or some that take me one way and another that takes me the complete other direction. I really just need some good solid place to start.

**Tags:** zen, prayer


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-01-31. Score: 1

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.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Kami us a Shinto concept.  It had nothing to do with Buddhism.  
> **username_1**: i.e. (from above) "Zen specifically has a whole lot of East Asian culture rolled into it."  

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