Samu (作務) is participation in the physical work needed to maintain theZen monastery.[1][2] According to tradition, it was emphasized byBaizhang Huaihai, who is credited with establishing an early set of rules forChan (ChineseZen)monastic discipline, thePure Rules of Baizhang.[3] As the Zen monks farmed, it helped them to survive theGreat Anti-Buddhist Persecution more than other sects which relied more on donations. These rules are still used today in many Zen monasteries. From this text comes the well-known saying "A day without work is a day without food" (一日不做 一日不食 "One day not work, one day not eat").[4]
