Table 1.

Twelve ways of Zen breathing

	Way of Zen breathing	Chinese character	English breathing method name	Detailed breathing method
1	Jousoku	上息	Upwards respiration	Forced expiration with the intention to blow out one’s own body weight
2	Kasoku	下息	Downwards respiration	Inspiration through the nostrils with special attention to "Tanden"
3	Mansoku	滿息	Filling respiration	Deep and slow breathing
4	Shousoku	燋息	Scorching respiration	Rapid rhythmic breathing
5	Zouchousoku	增長息	Increasing respiration	Gradual slow and deep breathing
6	Genkaisoku	滅壞息	Dissipating respiration	Expiration through the mouth
7	Dansoku	煖息	Warming respiration	Inspiration of warm air, effective for warming up a chilled body
8	Reisoku	冷息	Cooling respiration	Inspiration of cold air, effective for cooling down fever
9	Kousoku	衝息	Forceful respiration	Forced short breathing
10	Jisoku	持息	Retained respiration	Breathing with a stable rhythm
11	Wasoku	和息	Peacefull respiration	Peaceful breathing, effective for total body management
12	Hosoku	補息	Nourishing respiration	Breathing rhythm adjustment

This table presents the twelve ways of unique Zen breathing in “Tendai-shoshikan”