Glossary

Dharma

The dharma (almost as difficult to define as Zen) is thought of variously as the Way, the Path, and Ultimate Truth. The dharma is often thought of as the teachings of the Buddha, and this is a legitimate view, but it’s important to note that the Buddha didn’t create the dharma; it was always there. While the ethical standards of Buddhism are included, the dharma encompasses far more than that. It is the fundamental spirit underlying Zen and Buddhism.

Dōan

This the Sōtō Zen term for one who rings bells in the zendo. Our doan acts as timekeeper and sounds the small bell that marks the beginning and end of each period of zazen. The doan also rings the small and large bells during service and ceremonies and uses wooden clappers to begin and end kinhin (walking meditation).

Dōan-ryo

The group of people who serve in temple roles, including the doan, the fukudo, the chiden, the jiko, and the kokyo.

Dokusan

A private interview between a student and a Zen teacher or master. The format and length of the interview, and whether it revolves around koan work or involves another kind of exchange, varies depending on the teacher. As a general rule, dokusan pertains more to a student’s personal practice and experience than it does academic, theoretical matters. Theoretical questions are usually discouraged but often permitted (again very much of this depends on the teacher). Dokusan is a critical element of Zen training and an important part of sesshin.

Doshi

The priest who officiates at zazen, service or ceremonies by offering incense and leading prostrations and bows.

Eightfold Path

The Eightfold path was given by the Buddha as part of the Four Noble Truths and as such, as the appropriate response to and way out of suffering. 1. Right View (or Understanding) 2. Right Thought (or Resolve) 3. Right Speech 4. Right Conduct 5. Right Livelihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration

Eko

The dedication chanted at the end of a ceremony, dedicating the merit and energy of our practice to buddhas, bodhisattvas, or all beings.

Fukudo

The timekeeper who sounds the han or densho, announcing service and zazen, and plays the mokugyo or drum during service.

Four Noble Truths

The Buddha’s motivation for leaving his home and taking up a spiritual life was to understand duhkha (suffering) and find a solution to suffering. The Four Noble Truths are the answer that came to the Buddha as part of his enlightenment. 1. Suffering is all around us; it is a part of life 2. The cause of suffering is craving and attachment 3. There is a way out; craving can be ended and thus suffering can be ended 4. The way to end craving is the Eightfold Path

Gassho

(Literally: “palms together”) A mudra expressing nonduality. The palms are joined so that the fingertips are at the height of the nose. The hands are approximately one fist width away from the face.

Han

A wooden board struck with a mallet announcing zazen.

Hinayana

Literally: “Small Vehicle”. One of the three main branches of Buddhism, the other two being Mahayana (great vehicle) and Vajrayana (indestructible vehicle). Considered by most to be the oldest form of Buddhism. Because ‘small vehicle’ has at times been used as a derogatory term by other traditions, many followers prefer to use the term Therevada (Teaching of the Elders) to describe their beliefs.

Inkin

A portable bell. It usually sits atop a lacquered wooden handle and has a drape of material that covers the user's hand. It is used in ceremonies and in any service where a portable bell is needed.

Ino

The Ino is the zendo (meditation hall) manager responsible for training the doan-ryo, coordinating ceremonies with the teachers, and helping to care for and transmit zendo forms. The Ino often leads chanting at sesshin and also directs oryoki-style meals.

Jiko

The attendant who carries incense for the Doshi.

Jukai

Also known as ‘lay ordination, or ‘bestowing the Precepts’, this ceremony is an initiation into the practice of the sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts for lay practitioners. During the ceremony, initiates receive the Precepts and a rakusu (which they have hand-sewn) from a lineage-holding Teacher. More information…

Jundo

Broadly speaking, ‘jundo’ can mean any ritual circuit or circumambulation. During practice periods sometimes after offering incense and bowing at the altar, the Doshi walks around the zendo behind the meditators, in what is called the ‘kentan,’ or ‘inspection of the sitting platform.’ As the Doshi passes, meditators raise their hands in gassho without bowing; this joins Doshi and sitters in mutual acknowledgement.

KAISANDO

The Founder’s Hall, which is the memorial building or shrine for the founder of a temple. At SCZC the kaisando is behind the main altar and holds a memorial tablet for our founders.

Karma

The Buddhist doctrine of cause and effect. The effect of an action taken today (or thought or word spoken, etc.) might not occur today. The effect, whether or bad, may come to pass many years from now. The important point to remember is that no actions are isolated and independent; all are tied together in cause and effect.

Kinhin

Walking meditation. Although its meditative aspect is of prime importance, kinhin also serves the purpose of moving one’s legs after a long period of zazen, thus making physical problems unlikely. Hands should be held in the shashou position. Some schools of Zen perform kinhin extremely slowly while others do it rapidly. It has become traditional, in North America at least, to combine the two: kinhin begins very slowly at first and then switches to a brisk pace (the change is marked by an audible signal).

Koan

Originally: a public record or case. A Zen paradox, question or episode from the past that defies logical explanation. Koans are sometimes thought of as Zen riddles, but this is not entirely accurate since most riddles are intended to be solved through reason. A student undertaking koan work is meant rather to exhaust the use of reason and conceptual understanding, finally making an intuitive leap (see kensho). Koans were originally recorded and used by the Rinzai school of Zen, but some teachers closer to the Sōtō school have also used koans.

Kokyo

This is the Sōtō Zen term for the chant leader or ‘cantor’ during service.

Mahayana

Literally: “Great Vehicle”. One of the three main branches of Buddhism, the other two being Hinayana (small vehicle) and Vajrayana (indestructible vehicle). Although this is the branch to which Zen belongs and Zen traces its origin back to the Buddha himself, generally Mahayana is considered to be a newer form than Hinayana. There is less emphasis placed on nirvana and individual salvation in this tradition and more emphasis placed on saving all sentient beings.

Mindfulness

Awareness; remembering that all things are interrelated; living in the present moment. It would be difficult to overemphasize the importance of mindfulness in Zen and Buddhism. The master Muso Kokushi said: “When you walk, watch the walking, when you sit, watch the sitting, when you recline, watch the reclining, when you see and hear, watch the seeing and hearing, when you notice and cognize, watch the noticing and cognizing, when joyful, watch the joy, when angry, watch the anger.

Mokugyo

(Literally: ‘wooden fish’) A traditional Japanese temple instrument played during services to set the pace or “heartbeat” of certain chants.

Mudra

A ritual position of the body which is symbolic of a certain attitude or activity, such as teaching or protecting. Although mudra technically refers to the whole body and the body does not have to be that of the Buddha, in common usage this term most often refers to the hand positions chosen for statues of the Buddha. Each hand position is symbolic of a certain characteristic such as supreme wisdom or serenity.

Nirvana

Literally: cessation or extinction. Although nirvana is the ultimate goal of many Buddhists it should never be confused with the Western notion of heaven. Instead, nirvana simply means an end to samsara. In the Mahayana tradition, the bodhisattva eschews nirvana until all sentient beings are saved.

Okesa

From the Sanskrit “Kashaya,” a rectangular, patched robe made and worn as monks have done since the Buddha’s time. It encircles the body and is draped over the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder uncovered. It is given to a new priest during the priest ordination ceremony.

Oryoki

This has come to mean a certain kind of formal, ritualized eating, but the word oryoki actually refers to the specific collection of napkins, utensils and especially bowls used for this style of eating. This set, which is held together by tying one of the larger napkins around it, was traditionally given to a nun or monk upon ordination. Eating is commonly done while seated on one’s cushion in a position similar to meditation posture, though on occasion one can be seated at a table. The sequence in which the pieces are used and the actions performed are carefully done by ritual. Silence is maintained except for the chanting of certain meal sutras. When done, the utensils and bowls are immediately washed with water or tea (while still at one’s seat) and wrapped up again in the same specific way.  More information…

Practice Discussion

A formal or informal private interview with a practice leader.

Practice Leader

A person who has received dharma transmission and who is empowered to hold practice discussions and give dharma talks.

Rakusu

A small version of Buddha’s patched robe, suspended from cloth straps and worn around the neck. Usually, each initiate sews his or her own and receives it from the Preceptor during jukai.

Raihai

Also known as deep bows or prostrations. Normally done in a set of three and normally done towards the altar, these are bows that lead immediately into a kneeling position and then quickly into a position with one’s forehead gently touching the floor. The hands, palms upwards, are raised in a gesture symbolic of lifting the Buddha’s feet over one’s head. It’s appropriate to cultivate an attitude of emptying, letting go, receptivity and gratitude. As mentioned with regard to other matters, one should seek out instruction from a knowledgeable practitioner or teacher for the correct form and mental approach.

Rinzai

One of the two main schools of Zen still active in Japan, the other being Sōtō. Rinzai, which originated in China, was the first school of Zen to be brought to Japan. Its initial introduction near the end of the 12th century did not take hold, but a subsequent transfer from China did succeed. The Rinzai tradition places more emphasis on dokusan and koan work than the Sōtō tradition. However, a positive trend seen in North America today is that the distinctions between the two schools are not considered very significant and teachers often quote Zen masters from both schools, or from non-Japanese sources, equally as often.

Rohatsu

The day set aside to commemorate the enlightenment of the Buddha, which traditionally is celebrated on the eighth of December. Many Zen centers and sanghas will organize a rohatsu sesshin early in December to mark this Zen “holiday.”

Roshi

Venerable master of Zen. A roshi can be a man or a woman, a monk or a layperson. Although the approach has varied down through the centuries, certainly many years of training and some degree of “enlightenment” are required before becoming a roshi is even considered. Some of these years of preparation are often spent teaching the dharma as a sensei. In most Zen traditions, an established master will elevate a teacher to the level of roshi through a process known as “dharma transmission.” This also establishes an important link; the new roshi is considered a dharma heir or dharma successor of the established roshi.

Samsara

In Buddhist thought this is the continuing cycle of birth, death and rebirth. All beings are trapped in this unpleasant cycle until they reach enlightenment. Samsara is looked upon in a negative light because of all the suffering that life entails (as elucidated in the First Noble Truth). The cause of this cycle is craving as elucidated in the Second Noble Truth. Belief in samsara does not necessarily require a belief in reincarnation in it strictest, traditional sense and it should be mentioned here that many people practice Zen but do not believe in reincarnation.

Sangha

Zen family, community or group practicing together. In its largest sense, all living beings make up our sangha, though when commonly used sangha means our fellows in the local Zen center or the group in our area with whom we practice. In Theravada practice the term refers specifically to the body of ordained monks and nuns.

Seiza

A sitting position where one kneels and sits back onto the heels. More information…

Service

A ceremonial period of bowing, chanting, and making offerings to the Buddhas and Ancestors.

Sesshin

(Literally: ‘gather or touch the mind’) An intensive meditation retreat usually lasting 3, 5 or 7 days. The word ‘retreat’ may be misleading however, as the effect of a sesshin is often to let more of the world into our lives instead of escaping from it. Suffice it to say that a sesshin is a silent retreat that involves many periods of zazen and the opportunity to have private interviews with a teacher (see dokusan). Meals are often eaten oryoki style, and periods of samu are generally included.

Shashu

A mudra used when standing or walking in formal practice situations. The fingers of the left hand gently make a fist around the thumb and held against the body at the solar plexus (right below the breastbone); the right hand gently covers the left.

Shikantaza

“Just sitting.” An intense form of zazen where no mental aids such as counting the breath are used. A state of great mental alertness is cultivated, but no concepts or objects of thought are in the mind (ideally). Some consider shikantaza, which is strongly recommended in the Sōtō tradition, to be the highest form of zazen.

Shuso

The head student for a practice period.

Soji

A brief period of mindful work; temple cleaning.

SōTō

One of the two main schools of Zen in Japan, the other being Rinzai. The tendency towards caution (one could even say mistrust) regarding words and concepts which is a common thread in Zen finds its greatest expression in the Sōtō school. Thus it follows that there is less emphasis placed on dokusan and koan study in the Sōtō tradition and more emphasis placed on shikantaza. Zen practiced this way is sometimes called mokusho, which means the Zen of silent enlightenment. Perhaps following the Buddhist doctrine of non-duality, it should be noted that many Zen teachers and students in Western cultures today do not consider the line between Sōtō and Rinzai to be of great importance.

Sutra

A Buddhist canon or scripture regarded as having been spoken by the Buddha. The chanting of sutras is done in a rhythmic way in a normal tone of voice. Some sutras are intentionally recited in a monotone. Sutras are chanted as part of most Zen gatherings, whether the occasion is for a special ceremony or regular weekly zazen meeting. One of the best known is the Heart Sutra. A short sutra is often called a gatha.

Tan

A raised platform for sitting in the zendo.

Tatami

Japanese-style, thick straw floor mats.

Teisho

Literally: presentation of the shout. Commonly: a talk by a Zen teacher (a sensei or roshi). The talk is not a sermon or an academic lecture; it is more a presentation of insight than an exposition of factual knowledge. Though not limited to sesshin, a daily teisho traditionally is part of the schedule during sesshin. Often a koan is discussed, and on occasion some teachers will permit a question and answer period following the teisho. Sometimes people not familiar with Zen are invited. Attendees are allowed to sit in a relaxed posture and may quietly shift position to remain comfortable. Instead of peering intently at the teacher and concentrating on every word, some students will look at nothing in particular and just allow the words to wash over them; thereby placing less emphasis on concepts, yet trusting the value of the talk to sink in.

Tenzo

The head cook for a monastery or sesshin. Traditionally the role of tenzo was a position of high honor in Zen monasteries, and one of the seven positions of the senior staff. Similarly today, a tenzo is often considered to be one of the main leaders for sesshin.

Zabuton

A large, rectangular mat made of fabric-covered cotton batting, usually used with a zafu or sitting bench.

Zafu

A round cushion used for zazen.

Zazen

“Total awareness in an upright posture,”or seated meditation, usually on a cushion on the floor. Unlike meditation done in some other spiritual traditions, zazen usually does not involve concentrating one’s mind on a subject, nor is the aim to blank out one’s mind completely. Rather, being aware of one’s breath is recommended and most practitioners of zazen do this by counting breaths in one way or another. When the mind wanders, which often happens, one gently turns attention back to the breath. zazen is usually broken into periods of 30 to 50 minutes. Determining the correct posture for zazen can be a challenge, but sitting in a chair is also permitted. As mentioned with regard to other matters, one should seek out instruction from a knowledgeable practitioner or teacher for the correct posture, mental approach, and way to count the breath. Most Zen teachers maintain that zazen is essential to practicing Zen.

Zazenkai

A single day devoted to meditation, usually done together with a group. This can be considered a one day sesshin.

Zen

Zen, or ch’an as it was called originally, is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that first appeared in China in sixth and seventh centuries. Buddhism had earlier come to China from India, the birthplace of the Buddha and Buddhism. From China Zen moved on mainly to Japan, Korea and Vietnam, although it found some acceptance in other regions, as well. More information…

Zendo

Zen room or hall. This is the main room, whether it be in a monastery, retreat center or residential home, where zazen and other Zen practices are observed. The room is private and quiet, free from distractions. As with the English word “hall,” zendo is sometimes used to refer to an entire building or teaching center.