What's on Zhiyi's head!? The Meditation Weight or Zenchin 禪鎮

Have you ever wondered what is on Zhiyi's head!?
Anyone who visits a Tendai temple, will notice that on the left and right of the main altar, are two scrolls depicting Tiantai Dashi Zhiyi 天台大師智顗 on the right, and Dengyo Daishi Saicho 傳教大師 最澄 on the left. If you look closely, you'll notice that Master Zhiyi is usually depicted with a small object on top of his head. In Japanese this is called a "Zenchin" and in Chinese a "Chanzhen" (禪鎮). This literally means a "Meditation Weight". This tool is used when one meditates for long periods of time alone. It's primary purpose is to alert you if you begin to fall asleep, as it will fall off and hit the floor. If one meditates in a group for a similarly long period of time, the attendants "Kyousaku" or "Keisaku" 警策/香板 takes the place of the Meditation Weight.These days it has become quite rare, even in Tendai. The present example used here was made and graciously given to us, by the Hosenji 寶泉寺 temple in Yokohama, Japan. We are very grateful for their kindness. Yokomizo Sensei of the Hozenji Temple has his own video on "Zenchin" in Japanese. This can be found here:
• 第260話【伝教大師像と天台大師像そっくりで...
Eshun Sensei of the Shomyoji Temple also has his own video describing the "Zenchin" in Japanese, which can be found here:
• 坐禅を補助する仏具「禅鎮」を解説・使ってみた...

[@kalyanamitra2048]

I originally thought that it might have been a symbolic reminder of the ushnisha of the Buddha. Thanks for the video :)

[@ginabanadab]

It is certainly interesting to consider the connection of the Zenchin as a practical aid, and its possible relationship to things like the Tokin 頭巾 worn in Shugendo, which comes close to the sort of symbolism you allude to. Considering that the Yamabushi were so often 'solitary', I suspect there may be more to the relationship than has been considered.

[@kalyanamitra2048]

@@ginabanadab I recall one Japanese tour guide enthusiastically explaining to me that the Tokin were the remanence of the Jewish ritual of Tefillin - but that seems particularly unlikely.

[@NihonGoTofu-zr3bi]

@@kalyanamitra2048 I heard this one too, haha. Of course its baseless.