In Zen Buddhism, the keisaku (Japanese: 警策, Chinese: 香板, xiāng bǎn; kyōsaku in the Soto school) is a flat wooden stick or slat used during periods of meditation to remedy sleepiness or lapses of concentration.

Keisaku is the abbreviation for Keikakusakurei. It refers to a stick to strike the meditator's shoulders or back during zazen (sitting meditation). It is called "kyosaku" in the Soto sect and "keisaku" in the Rinzai sect.

Feb 3, 2025 · The kyosaku is a blow given to both shoulders with the light wooden stick (the stick of compassion) carried by a Zen priest or disciple during zazen (seated meditation). The kyosaku is given during the zazen sessions when one feels …

May 27, 2020 · The use of the kyosaku reputedly began in Chinese Zen monasteries near the end of the Tang dynasty. In Japanese Zen it has been a common part of the tradition, and its purpose is to encourage wakefulness during long periods of zazen such as sesshins.

In Zen Buddhism, keisaku (Japanese; kyosaku in the Soto school) is an attempt by a sensei to alert students to their mindlessness in zazen (sitting meditation), usually administered by a stick. An English translation is stick of compassion.

Kyosaku (waking stick) The kyosaku is used in the zendo, especially during sesshin, and is carried by a monitor who strikes any one who chooses to be struck on either the shoulders or mid or lower back. The kyosaku helps relieve muscular tension and can promote wakefulness.

Kyosaku A wooden stick, roughly a yard long and flattened at one end, sometimes carried by senior practitioners in the zendo during zazen. Sitters may request to be hit on the shoulders to help refresh the body and mind.

Here is the kyosaku protocol as practiced in the Sanbo-Zen International lineage. The introduction is by Yamada Ryoun Roshi, Abbot of Sanbo-Zen International....more. The kyosaku is...

May 13, 2005 · Used in Zen dojos, the kyosaku is a light stick used by a godo (or dojo supervisor) to strike those practicing zazen. The purpose of the kyosaku is to spur the sitter on, to keep them alert, bring them to the present, encourage them to push on …

In Zen Buddhism, the keisaku (Japanese: 警策, Chinese: 香板, xiāng bǎn; also called kyōsaku) is a flat wooden stick or slat used during periods of meditation to remedy sleepiness or lapses of concentration.