The history of the modern meditation cushion is closely connected with Buddhist seated meditation traditions in Asia. The zafu, the traditional round meditation cushion, is associated particularly with Zen Buddhist meditation. Historical accounts describe early versions of these seats being used in China before the tradition of the zafu developed further in Japan. Early cushions were associated with natural plant fibers, while later versions used materials such as kapok.
As Zen Buddhist practices developed, the zafu became a familiar part of formal seated meditation. The larger zabuton developed as a complementary floor mat, providing cushioning beneath the legs and ankles while the zafu elevated the hips. Meditation cushions later became widely available outside Buddhist monasteries and are now used in many forms of meditation around the world. Modern cushions have expanded beyond the traditional round zafu to include crescent shapes, rectangular cushions, gomdens, wedges, and other designs intended to accommodate different bodies and sitting positions.