From the beginning, lay practitioners have held an important position in maintaining the strength of the practice of Buddhism. The householder, family person, worker, hermit, and everyday citizen has an important place in the development and continuation of Zen. Lay life has no barrier to enlightenment whatsoever, though it does carry many responsibilities that can distract one's attention from their spiritual calling. Because of this, lay life offers plenty of opportunities to look closely at one's own attachments, as well as many opportunities to serve others and share the lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity that surfaces in committed Zen practice.
Some folks will attend group meditation occasionally while others will attend every meditation and every retreat, as well as maintain a daily meditation practice at home; and there's everything in between. Eventually, a person may desire to become a Buddhist and increase their commitment to their practice and to the sangha and teachers. It is common for lay practitioners to enter residential Zen life at the abbey, in a larger monastery, or at a retreat center for short or long periods of time in their lives.
