A zafu is a traditional round meditation cushion used to elevate the hips during seated meditation. Its raised, firm surface helps create a stable foundation for cross-legged sitting and can make it easier to maintain an upright posture. The traditional zafu is round and often has a pleated side panel, with common fillings including kapok or buckwheat hulls. The word zafu is Japanese and is associated with a seat traditionally filled with the soft fibers of the reedmace or cattail plant. Modern zafus are commonly around 14 inches in diameter, although dimensions and heights vary.
The zafu is particularly associated with Zen Buddhist meditation, or zazen, where practitioners traditionally sit on the cushion for extended periods. It is normally positioned toward the front of the cushion rather than directly in the center, allowing the hips to be elevated while the legs rest on the floor. A zafu can be used for several seated positions, including simple cross-legged sitting, Burmese-style sitting, half lotus, and other comfortable meditation positions. Today, zafus are also widely used outside traditional Zen settings by people practicing mindfulness and other forms of seated meditation.