Glossary of Zen names and terms as used in

the Kwan Um School

AIGO (Korean): word for responding to an incomprehensible situation, such as sudden death, or
grief, or even surprise.
Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi (Sanskrit): "perfect universal samadhi"; the enlightenment
experience in which a person becomes a Buddha.
Avalokitesvara (Sanskrit): bodhisattva of compassion (see Kwan Seum Bosal).
beads: a string of beads resembling a bracelet or necklace, used for counting bows or repetitions
of a mantra in various sects of Buddhism. Also known as a "mala."
Bhikshu (Sanskrit): a fully ordained monk.
Bhikshuni (Sanskrit): a fully ordained nun.
Blue Cliff Record (Chinese: Pi-Ye-Lu; Japanese: Hekigan Roku): compiled in 1125 CE, one of
the most important collections of kong-ans, still in use today.
bodhi (Sanskrit): "awakening"; enlightenment.
Bodhidharma (Sanskrit): the first Zen patriarch; he reputedly came to China in 520 CE. and sat
for nine years facing a wall at Shao-Lin temple.
bodhisattva (Sanskrit): a being whose actions promote unity or harmony; one who vows to
postpone one's own enlightenment in order to help all sentient beings realize liberation; one who
seeks enlightenment not only for oneself but for others. The bodhisattva ideal is at the heart of
Mahayana and Zen Buddhism.
bodhisattva teacher: in the Kwan Um School of Zen, one who has met certain training
requirements, usually over at least ten years, and has taken sixty-four precepts.
bosalnim (Korean): in Korea, a lay woman who helps at a temple
Buddha (Sanskrit): an awakened one; refers usually to Siddhartha Gautama (sixth century BCE),
historic founder of Buddhism.
Buddha-nature: that which all sentient beings share and manifest through their particular form;
according to Zen, the Buddha said that all things have Buddha-nature and therefore have the
innate potential to become Buddha.
center: the vital energy center of the abdomen; in many Zen traditions it is considered to be the
seat of the heart-body-mind. Focusing one's attention on the hara is a technique used in some
forms of Zen practice for centering and developing samadhi power.
ch'i (Chinese): life force.
Chogye order: the major order in Korean Buddhism, formed in 1356 by the unification of the
Nine Mountains Schools of Zen.
Dae Soen Sa Nim (Korean): title used by Zen Master Seung Sahn's students in referring to him;
"great honored Zen Master." In the Korea tradition, all Zen Masters are referred to as "Soen Sa
Nim." "Dae" (great) is added to their title when a teacher turns sixty.
dharani (Sanskrit): a long, mystical chant supposed to have innate power to induce various
kinds of insights or magical powers.
dharma (Sanskrit): the way or law; the path; basically, Buddhist teaching, but in a wider sense
any teaching or truth.
dharma room: in Zen Master Seung Sahn's centers, the meditation/ceremony hall.
dharma teacher: in the Kwan Um School of Zen, one who has met certain training
requirements, usually over at least four years, and has taken ten precepts.
DOL (Korean): shout to cut off discriminative thinking.
Dok Sahn, Duk Sahn (780-865 CE) (Korean; Chinese: Te-shan): one of the greatest Zen
Masters in history; trained for forty years studying the Diamond Sutra, then was stumped by a
simple question from a tea-vending woman and converted to Zen.
dukkha (Pali): suffering.
enlightenment: awakening.
five precepts: the first five lay vows of Buddhism:
I vow to abstain from taking life.
I vow to abstain from taking things not given.
I vow to abstain from lying.
I vow to abstain from misconduct done in lust.
I vow to abstain from intoxicants, taken to induce heedlessness.

great freedom: freedom from all conceptual understanding and bondage that comes in the wake
of enlightenment.
great path: the path of liberation towards which a practitioner strives, or the path tread by a
bodhisattva.
hapchang (Korean; Japanese: gassho): the gesture of placing the hands palm to palm before the
chest to indicate respect, gratitude, and humility.
hara (Japanese): see center
HIT: the sound of a palm or stick hitting a table or floor; used to cut off discriminative thinking.
inka (Korean): "public seal;" certification of a student's completion of, or breakthrough in, kong-
an practice.
interview: a formal, private meeting between a Zen teacher and a student in which kong-ans are
used to test and stimulate the student's practice; may also occasion informal questions and
instruction.
Ji Do Poep Sa Nim (JDPSN) (Korean): "dharma master"; a student who has been authorized to
teach kong-an practice and lead retreats. The title is "Ji Do Poep Sa" for teachers who are monks
or nuns.
Joju (778-897 CE) (Korean; Chinese: Chao Chou; Japanese: Joshu): his Chinese name is from
the town in northern China where he lived and taught for the last forty years of his life; one of
the most famous Zen Masters in history; prominent during the golden age of Zen in T'ang
Dynasty China (618-907 CE).
kalpa (Sanskrit): an eon; the time period during which the physical universe is formed and
destroyed. An unimaginably long period of time.
karma (Sanskrit): "cause and effect," and the continuing process of action and reaction,
accounting for the interpenetration of all phenomena. Thus our present thoughts, actions, and
situations are the result of what we have done in the past, and our future thoughts, actions, and
situations will be the product of what we are doing now. Individual karma results from this
process.
kasa (Korean): brown piece of cloth worn around the neck or over the shoulders, symbolic of
Buddhist vows and precepts.
KATZ! (Korean): traditional Zen belly shout; used to cut off discriminative thinking.
kensho (Japanese): seeing one's own true nature; an experience of awakening.
Kido (Korean): "energy way"; a chanting retreat.
kimchee (Korean): spicy pickled cabbage.
kong-an (Korean; Japanese: koan): a paradoxical or irrational statement used by Zen teachers to
cut through students' thinking and bring them to realization.
Kwan Seum Bosal (Korean; Sanskrit: Avalokitesvara; Chinese: Kwan Yin; Korean: Kwan Um;
Japanese: Kanzeon): "one who perceives the cries of the world" and responds with
compassionate aid; the bodhisattva of compassion.
Kyol Che (Korean): "tight dharma"; in Korean Zen tradition, an intensive retreat of 21 to 90
days.
Lin Chi (d. 866 CE) (Chinese): Chinese Zen Master; founder of the Lin-chi (Rinzai) school of
Zen, one of the two schools still active in Japan.
Mahakashyapa (Sanskrit): outstanding student of the Buddha. Buddha's successor in leading the
sangha.
Mahayana (Sanskrit) Buddhism: the Buddhism practiced in northern Asia; encompasses schools
in China, Korea, Japan, and Tibet.
Ma Jo (709-788 CE) (Korean; Chinese: Ma-tsu): the great patriarch of Chinese Zen during the
early T'ang period.
mala: see beads
mantra (Sanskrit): sounds or words used in meditation to cut through discriminating thoughts so
the mind can become clear.
moktak (Korean): fish-shaped wooden instrument used as a drum to set the rhythm for chanting.
mu (Japanese): nothing, not, nothingness.
Mu Mun Kwan (Korean): "The Gateless Gate"; a collection of forty-eight traditional kong-an
cases composed in 1228 by the monk Mu Mun Ekai (1184-1260); usually studied before the
Blue Cliff Record.
nirvana (Sanskrit): a state of perfect inner stillness and peace; complete extinction of individual
existence; cessation of rebirth; entry into bliss.
paramita (Sanskrit): virtues or "perfections" of a Buddha. In Mahayana Buddhism, these are the
six paramitas: dana (generosity), sila (restraint or morality), shanti (patience), vigor (energy or
effort), dhyana (meditation), prajna (wisdom).
patriarch: the founder of a school and his successors in the transmission of its teaching.
prajna (Sanskrit): wisdom.
roshi (Japanese): "venerable (spiritual) teacher"; a Zen Master.
samadhi (Sanskrit): a state of intense concentration.
samsara (Sanskrit): the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
sangha (Sanskrit): in the Mahayana and Zen traditions, the community of all practitioners; may
refer to a family of students under a particular master.
sarira (Sanskrit): "body"; in Korean Buddhism, small crystals sometimes found among cremated
remains of monks, and regarded as sacred relics.
satori (Japanese): the experience of awakening, enlightenment.
senior dharma teacher: in the Kwan Um School of Zen, one who has met certain training
requirements, usually over at least nine years, and has taken sixteen precepts.
sesshin (Japanese): see Yong Maeng Jong Jin.
Shakyamuni Buddha (Sanskrit): "sage of the Shakya clan," the historical Buddha.
shikantaza (Japanese): "just sitting"; a state of attention that is free from thoughts, directed to
no object, and attached to no particular content.
skandhas (Sanskrit): the five aggregates which make up human existence: form, feelings,
perceptions, impulses, consciousness.
Soen Sa Nim (Korean): "honored Zen teacher," a Zen Master.
sutra (Sanskrit): Buddhist scriptures, consisting of discourses by the Buddha and his disciples.
Sunim (Korean): Honorific used in addressing or referring to a monk or nun.
ten directions: Buddhist cosmological concept; north, south, east, west, up, down, northwest,
northeast, southeast, southwest.
Theravada (Sanskrit): the southern school of Buddhism, including Sri Lanka, Thailand and
Burma.
TOK: the sound of the moktak.
transmission: formal handing over of the lineage succession from teacher to student. What one
receives when one becomes a Zen Master
Un Mun (Korean; Chinese: Yun Men; Japanese: Ummon): Zen Master during the golden age of
Zen in T'ang Dynasty China (618-907 CE).
Yong Maeng Jong Jin (Korean): literally, "valorous or intrepid concentration," paraphrased "to
leap like a tiger while sitting." In the west it is a short silent retreat of two to seven days
involving thirteen hours of formal meditation practice a day. Participants follow a schedule of
bowing, sitting, chanting, eating, and working, with an emphasis on sitting meditation. During
the retreat each participant has interviews with a Zen Master or Ji Do Poep Sa Nim.
zafu (Japanese): a round meditation cushion.
Zen (Japanese; Korean: Son; Chinese: Ch'an; Sanskrit: Dhyana): meditation practice.
Zen Center: meditation communities which may include a residence. All the Zen Centers in the
Kwan Um School of Zen are under the spiritual direction of Zen Master Seung Sahn, and each
offers regular practice and periodic retreats.
zendo (Japanese): "Zen hall;" dharma room, meditation hall.
Zen Glossary No. 1.

Glossary No. 2. | Glossary No. 3. | Glossary No. 4. | Glossary No. 5.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jacques.prestreau/dicozen

Entries and other foreign words are Japanese (J) unless otherwise noted as Chinese (C),
Sanskrit (Skt) or Pali (P).

Agura

Common and easy way of sitting, pulling in both feet under both thighs.

Buddha (Skt P) butsu (J).

Awakened One.

Byojoshin (kore do)

Even and constant mind (is itself the [awakened] way).

Chukai[-sho]

One bell sound signalling the end of sitting.

Daruma (J) Bodhidharma (Skt)

The first patriarch of Zen in China, twenty eighth after the Buddha Gotama (P) or
Gautama (Skt).

Dependent Origination [paticcasamuppada (P), pratityasamutpada (Skt), engi (J)]

The truth or law that all phenomena are dependently originated upon causes and
conditions, thus phenomena are interrelated and relative in nature. One can rely on this
truth, utilize this law, control the relationship, and attain freedom through this process.
The insight (awakening) into this law and unconditioned peace [nibbana (P), nirvana
(Skt), nehan (J)] comprise two elements of buddhahood. The total mastery and maturity
of this law made Gotama Buddha.

Dharma (Skt), dhamma (P), ho (J)

Forms (of existence), norm (law) (of existential forms), and the teaching of it.

Doän

The person in charge of the zendo, sounding signals, leading sutra recitation, etc.

Furyumonji

No building or relying upon letters (conceptual constructs).

Gassho (J) anjali (Skt)

Folding hands expressing total unity and complete harmony of the self and others.
Hakama

Meditation skirt.

Hankafuza

Half cross-legged or half lotus position.

Hokkaijoin (J), dharma-dhatu-samadhi-mudra (Skt)

Dharma realm concentration seal which shows one’s perfect unity with the universal
truth (realm).

Igi-soku-buppo

Dignified forms (deportments) are themselves buddha (awakened) dharmas (forms).

Isshu

Folding hands at walking and standing. This is also called shashu.In Rinzai tradition the
left hand covers the right hand.

Jikijitsu

The person in charge of the zendo, sounding signals, leading sutra recitation, etc. in the
Rinzai tradition.

Jikishi-ninshin

Directly pointing to the human mind.

Kaijo [-sho]

One (bell) sound, signalling the end of sitting.

Keisaku or kyosaku

Wakening device, warding off sleepiness, etc.

Kekkafuza (J) paryanka (Skt)

Full cross-legged or full lotus position.

Kensho jobutsu

Seeing the nature and becoming buddha..

Kesa (J), kasaya (Skt), kasaya or kasava (P)

Monk’s robe. (literally, decayed colored [robe]).

Kinhin (J) cankama (P) cankrama (Skt)

Walking meditation.

Koän (J), Kun-an (C)

Universal truth. In later tradition, usually meant the universal theme(s) taken from
 deeds and words of the masters, given by the master to the disciple for the latter’s
study and realization. The master tests how well the disciple understand and lives it.

Kyoge-betsuden

Transmission outside scriptures, i.e., realization beyond conceptual learning.

Makyo

Devil’s realm. Psychological abnormality, illusion, such as apparition, levitation, etc.

Monjin

Greeting, bowing with gassho. (literally, asking)

Mushin

No superfluous thought, no mental fabrication.

Mushotoku

No grasping, possession (defilement).

Nehan (J), nibbana (P), nirvana (Skt)

Unconditioned peace. (literally, a nautical term describing the calm following a storm).

Obakushu

One of the three living zen traditions, deriving from Obaku (Huan-po).

Rakusu

The simplest kesa with five cloth strips.

Rinzaishu

One of the three living zen traditions. It stresses satori (enlightenment) through koän
practice.

Roshi

Reverend teacher, or master.

Samu

Manual works at zendo or zen monastery.

Satori

Enlightenment and insight into the existential truth. Awakening and awakened life based
on it.

Seiza

Formal sitting posture, sitting on the lower legs.

Sesshin
 Intensive extended sitting (usually one week starting each day at 4 or 5 a.m. and going
until 9 p.m.) (literally, embracing or [directly] touching the mind).

Shikan-taza

Pure (unconditioned) sitting at absolute here and now in total awakening and full
functioning with no special (limited) ends (no possession, no enlightenment) and no
other accessory means thereto, such as recitation, prayer, ritual, etc.

Shijo

Staying at stillness (zazen)

Shijin totsuraku [-datsuraku]

Dropping off the body/mind or freedom from/of the body and mind, essence of zazen,
the awakened way.

Sokkon-tosho

“Now-here,” unique zen position.

Sotoshu

One of the three living zen traditions. It stresses shikantaza and igisokubuppo. Dogen
later identified as the founder of Japanese Soto repudiated any sectarianism, negating
“Soto Sect” or “Zen School,” and admitted only one Awakened Way.

Susokukan

Breath counting meditation.

Sutra (Skt), sutta (P)

Short sentences or aphorisms which facilitate easier memory of the essential tenet of
teaching. (literally, suture).

Tan

Allotted seat on the platform (sho) for zazen.

Tanden

Three inches below the navel, where the center of gravity and life lies.

Teisho

Presentation of the gist of the teaching.

Unyo (J), padakkina (P), pradaksna (Skt)

Right (clockwise, auspicious) circumbulation to express reverence to a person or a tower

depositing the person’s remains, showing one’s right side always to the person or the
object.

Zabuton
 Sitting mattress.

Zafu

Round pillow for zazen. (Formerly called futon, probably shortened form for za [sitting]-
futon).

Za-zen

Upright sitting with no mental fabrication. (literally, sitting meditation). San-zen

(entering zen) is zazen. Zazen is shikin-totsuraku.

Zen (J), jhana (P), dhyana (Skt)

Zen is from chan (C) the transliteration of jhana or jhan (Prakrit), meaning meditation.
It is, however, not the so-called meditation using concepts or other kinds of symbols. It
is unconditioned meditation. It is concretely shikantaza, total unconditioned mediation,
cessation of all physical and mental fabrications, not only in sitting but also in standing,
moving, or lying down.

Zendo

Zazen hall.

Zen-ji

Zen teacher or master, honorific title.

Zuisokukan

Breath watching (literally, following) meditation.

Source: www.missourizencenter.org >Zen practice > glossary

A Zen Glossary No. 2.

Acalanatha - see Fufo myo o

ajari - master or teacher, senior of five years standing.

Amida Butsu - Amitabha Buddha

Amida kyo - Sukhavati vyuha (Skt) one of the three important -scriptures of the Pure Land
School

Amida Nyorai - Amitabha Buddha

ango - 90 to 100 day summer training period for monks

angura - loose cross legged sitting position ( not full or half-lotus )

angyo - 'going on foot' Zen pilgrimage

Anja - Assistant to Abbot's personal : Jiisha

Arakan - Arhat
Asgura - Asura, 'Titans'

Avatanasaka Sutra - see Kegon kyo

banka - evening sutra recitation

banka zoji - cleaning monastery after evening sutra recitation

Bato Kannon - Kannon with a fierce face and horse's head in-the crown

Batto - Lecture Hall

bessu - white ceremonial footwear for Soto ceremony

Biko - monk

Bikuni - nun

Birushana/Birushanofu - see Dainich Nyorai-Vairochana Bodhisattva the-'All Illuminating

One'

Bo - Priest, or residence of priest

bodai (=Bodhi Skt.) - Buddha wisdom

Bodaidaruma - Bodhidarma

bodai shin = bodhicitta (Skt.) - Bodhi-mind - intrinsic wisdom, - the inherently

enlightened heart mind.

Bommo kyo =Brahamajala (Skt.) - Sutra containing the 10 main and 48 lesser precepts
of the Mahayana = "Sutra of Brahma's Net"

Bompu Zen - sitting in meditation for its physical advantages; - the first stage of zen
training

bonpu nu joshijki - ordinary consciousness

bonsho - large bronze bell outside the dojo (not in town temples)

Bonten - the Hindu god Brahma; the lowest of the four dhyana-heavens

Bosatsu - Bodhisattva

bosatsu kai - Bodhisattva precepts

Bukkyo - Buddhism

Buppo - Buddha nature

Bushido - 'Way of the Warrior' or Samurai

bushin in - Buddha mind seal, sign of correct transmission

bussho - Buddha nature-one's own true nature

Butasuda - Buddha
Butsu - Buddha

butsudan - Buddhist alter shrine, a small model of which most Japanese Buddhists have at
home, with a figure of Buddha or Bodhisattva, a tablet with the names of family dead;
offerings of food and flowers are made in memory of the dead and Sutras are chanted
before it.

Butsudanda Ryo o - one of the dragon kings, deities who bring rain and protect the
dharma

Butsuden - Buddha Hall enshrining the main religious image of a Zen temple

Butsugen - the Eye of the Buddha

Butsudo - the Buddha Way

butzuzo - Buddha image

byodo kan - 'view of sameness', all things are identical in their-Buddha nature

byodo no sekai - undivided world of sameness and intuition

cha - tea

chado - 'the way of tea'

Chanoyu - the Tea Ceremony

Chaseki - Tea House

Chashitsu - Tea House

Chidoron - see Daichidoron

chi e - insight from meditation

Chiji - the officers under the Abbot in charge of running the -temple

choka - morning recitation of sutras

chudo - the Middle Way

chukai - 'taking off the robes', rest period between periods of practice

Cosmic Buddha - see Dainichi Nyori, also another term for the Eternal, Dharmkaya,
Buddhahood

dai... - great...

Daibutsuji - Great Buddha Temple, former name of Eiheiji temple, founded by Dogen.

Daichidoron - the Mahaprajnaparamita Shastra, discourses on the-Great Wisdom

Scriptures

dai fushi - 'great inflexible resolve'

dai gedsatsu - 'great liberation', enlightenment

daigo tettei - complete enlightenment

Daihishin Dharani - the Littany of the Great Compassionate One, a -scripture addressed to
Kanzeon Bosatsu

dai hon zan - great head temple, main temples of a school

daiji - compassion, loving kindness towards all living beings

Daijo - Mahayana Buddhism

daijo kai - rules/precepts of Mahayana Buddhists

daikensho - a 'great opening' leaving no doubt

Daikoku ten = Mahakala (Skt.) - Kitchen guardian representing gratitude and

abundance; usually depicted smiling and carrying bags full of rice

Dainichi Nyorai - the Cosmic Buddha Vairocana, the All Illuminating One.

Daiosho - 'great priest', honorific title of Zen Master

daisan - interview with Zen instuctor

daishi - 'great death' of the ego leading to enlightenment

Daishi - 'great master'-posthumous title

Daruma - Bodhidharma : first Chinese Zen Patriarch

Daruma sojo - 'the Dharma succession', the Zen lineage of Masters

datsuma or ho - dharma

den - hall, temple building

den'e or denne or den I - 'handing on the robe', = dharma succession

Denko roku - 'Transmission of Light' by Japanese Zen Master Keizan Jikin 1268 1325

Dennan - altar attendant

densho - large bell to announce service

Densuryo - office in charge of the Buddha Hall

Dento roku - 'Transmission of the Lamp'

Dera - temple

Do - the Way, = Dharma

Doan - person who hits bells and gongs in temple

Dogen [1200 1253] - founder of Soto Zen in Japan, wrote Shobogenzo

dojo - meditation centre/room

Dokkaku - self enlightened Pratyekabuddha

dokusan - private, face to face interview with a roshi at set times [ = sanzen in Rinzai
tradition ]

dokusan shitsu - interview room

Donai - Zendo

Doshi - leader or master

Doto kyo - "the Tao Teh Ching" - Chinese Taoist book

e - satori wisdom

egen - Eye of Widom

eko - chant 'the line of sucession'

Emma samma or Emma o - Yama raja - the Lord of the Dead; holds the Mirror of Karma
which reflects good and evil deeds of the deceased

Engaku - self enlightened Pratyekabuddha

Enjudo - 'life prolonging room' = infirmary of monastery

enji - law of cause and effect ; karma

enso - the circle, symbol of true reality

en'yu santai - the Middle way, the perfect harmony of the three truths

kutai - the nonsubstantial nature of all phenomena, manifest for example in the blossoming
of flowers or the speech of humans

ketai - actual perceptible forms of all existence

chutai - fundamental unity, non duality

esho funi - the concept of the indivisibility of living beings from their environment

enza - 'sitting still', = zazen

Fudo myo o - 'The Immovable One', one of the Kings of Light; represents the dynamic will
to enlightnment which is to be found in the middle of the flames of greed, hatred and
delusion

Fugen - Samantabhadra Bodhisattva of Awakening, the active love aspect of the Eternal
Buddha, often depicted on a six tusked elephant

Fukanzazengi - Dogen's Zazen rules; "Rules for meditation"

fukatoku - ungraspable

funzoe - the 7 kinds of rags used for making the kesa

Fusatsu - ceremony to renew vows held twice a month ( = uposatha days of Theravada
tradition)

fushinzama - community work

fushiryo - not thinking

fushi ogami - bow down in worship

fusho - 'Unborn', true reality

Fusuryo - office where accounts regarding the Zendo life are kept

futon - quilt filled with cotton wool

Futoroku - the Record of the Lamp, compiled by Lei an Cheng shou in 1204

gaitan - front and back porches, meditation platform/corridor outside the meditation hall,
trainees sit here if they arrive late for meditation or have a cold

gaki - Hungry ghost, Preta

gassho - gesture ( mudra ) of putting hand together to express respect, reverence,

gratitude

ge - verse praising the Buddha, = gatha Skt.

gedatsu - complete detatchment

gedappuku = kesa

gedo zen - the wrong way, zen done solely to gain powers

genjo koan - a koan that appears naturally in daily life

geta - wooden foot gear

geza - 'summer sitting', = ango

go - karma

godo - 'back hall'; section of meditation hall

godo - head monk (in Soto sect), head teacher in the dojo

go i - the "five degrees of Zen of Master Tozan"

goseki - 'traces of enlightenment' in someone not yet perfectly enlightened ( which leaves
no trace ! )

Gosho Zenshu - collected writings of Nichiren Daishonin

go un - the five skhandas

gya tei gya tei - 'On beyond, together beyond', mantra from the Heart Sutra

Gyo or Gyoji - practice, endless training

gyo ju za ge - 'walking, sitting, lying', Zen practice throughout daily life

haiku - short Japanese poem - 5:7:5 syllables

haiseki - 'bowing seat'

hakama - skirt like garment

hakushi - 'white paper', empty state of consciousness which is a precondition for the
experience of awakening

han - hanging wooden block struck to announce start of a period of Zazen

Hanamatsuri - day of birth of the Buddha:April 8th

hanka fuza - half lotus position

hannya = Prajna (Skt) - Wisdom

Hannya Haramita Shingyo - Heart Sutra, the Scripture of Great Wisdom

hara - region of body just below the navel

haramitsu = paramita (Skt).

Harana - Varanasi in India where Shakyamuni Buddha first taught-after his enlightenment

hashin kyoji - 'taking up needles and treating with moxa', days reserved for working,
repairing, etc.; renewal days.

hasshodo - noble eight-fold path

Hassu - Dharma successor

hasu - lotus

Hekiganroku - "the Blue Cliff Record" collection of koans

henro - pilgrim

Hiei Zan - Mount Hiei, Japanese headquarters of Tendai sect

Higan - 'the other side', weeks in March and September when people visit Temples and
decorate the graves

Hijo - 'ten foot square', Abbot's quarters

Hijuri - holy men

Hiparakutsu - cave near Rajagrha where Makakashyo was meditating when Shakyamuni
Buddha entered parinirvana

hishiryo - beyond thinking

Ho - Dharma

ho - large wooden fish drum

Hodo - Treasure Hall of temple/monastery

hogen - the Eye of Law

Hojin = Sambhogakaya (Skt.) - Bliss body of Buddha

Hokkekyo - Lotus Sutra

Hokke kyo Myoho Renge Kyo - Lotus Sutra

Hokku kyo - Dharmapada Sutra

hokyo - mirror

Hokyo Zammai - 'Most Excellent Mirror Samadhi' scripture written by Tozan Ryokai, one of
the Soto Zen founders

homon - 'dharma gate', the teaching of the Buddha

Hondo - hall of temple where ceremonies and lectures are held

Honshi - True Master, master who confirms trainees transmission

Hon'u bussho - 'Buddha nature present from the beginning'

honzan - main or root monastery of sect

horin - the wheel of the law

hosan - days off

hossen - 'Dharma duelling'

Hossen - ceremony where trainee is given rank Chief Junior or Shushosho

hosshin = Dharmakaya (Skt.) - 'Law Body' of Buddha, one's own True Nature

Hotoke - Buddha

hotsugammon - a vow or petition

hussu - fly whisk, a symbol of transmission

ichidaiji - 'one great affair' the Buddha's appearance in the world

ichiji fusetsu - 'not a single word' was said by the Buddha and Patriarchs describing the
ultimate reality

ichiji kan = wato

ichijo - the one great vehicle of the Buddha

ichinen fusho - 'a thought not arising', consciousness free from deluded thoughts

Igyo Zen - one of the 5 Chinese schools founded by Isan Reiyu

Ihai - wooden memorial tablet with name and date of death written on it

inga - 'cause fruit', cause and effect, karma

Inga icharyo - 'cause and effect are one'

inka - seal of approval; acknowledgement by a Master that a pupil has completed his/her
training

Inka shomei - 'legitimate seal of clearly furnished proof'

Inkin - small bowl shaped bell with the cushion beneath it

innen - karma

Ino - head leader of chanting in ceremonies; precentor

inochi - life 'integrity' of a given thing

Inryo - 'retreat room' of Roshi

ishin den shin - 'from my soul to your soul', i.e. direct transmission

issai shujo - 'all sentient beings'

isshi injo - the training of a Zen student by a single Master

issho jobutsu - the attainment of Buddhahood in one human lifetime

ittai - 'one truth', the goal of training

itto - unity

jakujo - complete inner 'stillness [and] peace'

ji - suffix after name = temple or monastery

jihatsu - set of formal bowls for meals or begging bowl

jihi - compassion

jiisha - priest constantly with Abbot or a senior who can help, but is not a servant, often
the future Abbot

Jijo - attendant or assistant chaplain at services (carries incense box)

jikijitsu - head monk in Rinzai sect, director of Zendo

jikido - officiant who keeps time during zazen

jikishi ninshin - 'direct pointing to the heart' without dualistic thought or action

jikko - assistant jiisha

jin - body

jippo - ten dirctions; the whole cosmos

jiriki - 'one's own power', endeavouring to attain enlightenment through one's own efforts
rather than those of others

jisha - attendant; Zen Master's personal attendant monk

Jisharyo - attendant's office attached to a Zendo

jisho - 'self nature', Buddha nature

Jizo - Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva of benevolence and mercy, the saviour of all beings during
the time between the death of Shakyamuni and the birth of Maitreya; protector of women
and children; depicted as a priest with shaven head and robes carrying a begging bowl.

jo - samadhi, zazen

Jodo - Pure Land Buddhism

Jodo - festival of the attainment of Buddhahood on 8th December; a Zen ceremony where
the Abbot ascends to the high alter to be tested in mondo (questions and answers), one of
the kessai ceremonies

Jodomon - Pure Land teaching

Jodo Shinsu - Shin Buddhism

Jodo shu - Pure Land sect

Jogo ten - fourth heaven in the world of form; the personification of the world

Joju - office quarters of monastery where the business side of the Zendo is conducted

joriki - meditaion power

Joshu Jushin - Chao chou Ts'ung shen (ch.) 788 897CE Zen master famous for Koan 'Mu'

ju or juko - eulogy, poetic expression of wisdom, gatha Skt.

ju - stage; the ten stages of the Bodhisattva

Jugyo nozu - the Ten Ox herding Pictures (analogy for stages of practice/enlightenment)

Juichimen Kannon - Kannon with eleven faces

juji - the ten stages of developing Buddha wisdom

Jukai - Zendo monitor who uses kyosaku

Jukai - festival when trainees and lay Buddhists take/renew precepts

Jukai Sesshin - week retreat when lay trainees take/renew precepts

Jukai Tokudo - lay ordinataion, becoming a lay Buddhist

Jukyo - Confucianism

juni zuda - see zuda gyo

ju riki - the ten fields of knowledge of a Buddha

ju riki- the ten powers of a Bodhisattva

Jushi - see Miroku

Kabira - Kapilavastu in India

kado - way of flowers = ikebana

kafu - 'household air'

kai - precepts

Kaidan - ordination hall

Kaidan seki - 'Kaidan stone' tablet at the front of a Zen monastery which says 'meat, fish,
alcohol prohibited'

kaigen - 'opening the eye', experience of awakening or consecration of a statue

kaijo - 'opening of silence', striking wooden block or gong to awaken monks in the morning
or to mark the end of a period of sitting meditation

Kaimyo - 'Buddhist precept name' given by a Master on the initiation of a student

Kairitsu or Kai - precepts : Zen Buddhists receive the 10 Mahayana precepts at the Jukai
ceremony-to refrain from :
the taking of life
theft
unchastity
lying
selling,buying or drinking alcohol
speaking of the shortcomings of others
praising oneself and reviling others
denying material and spiritual aid to others
anger
disparaging the Three Treasures - ( Buddha, Dharma and Sangha )

Kaisan - 'mountain founder', term for founder of a monastery, posthumous title for temple
founder

Kaisando - hall where founder's relics are kept

kaiseki - a light meal

Kanin - the Chief Administrator of a temple

kanno doko - 'mutual exchange of feeling', direct and immediate non dualistic
communication between Master and student

Kannon or Kwannon or Kanzeon ( = Kuan Yin [Ch.] ) - Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of

Compassion

Kan shiketsu - 'dry shit stick', one attached to the world of appearances

Kasho = Makakshyo - Kasyapa disciple of the Buddha

'Katsu' or 'khatz' - an exclamation with no exact meaning

Kegon kyo - Avatamsaka Sutra, 'Flower Garland Sutra', believed to be the teachings of
Shakyamuni Buddha in the 3 weeks following His enlightenment
Keisaku = Kyosaku

Keisan Jokin [1267 1325] - founder of Dai Hon Zen Sojiji, dharma successor of Dogen,
wrote Denkroku, Zazen yojinki, Kyojukaimon and most of the Soto Zen ceremonials

keisu - bowl shaped gong used during chanting

kekka fuza - full lotus position for sitting meditation

kendo - 'the way of the sword' martial art

kensho - 'seeing into one's true nature' ; the opening of the-Buddha eye; not as deep as
satori

kensho godo - Satori awakening

kentan - 'looking at the tan', a round made by the Master to check rows of practitioners
during zazen

kesa - full outer robe of a priest or monk; robe as symbol of transmission from Master to
successor

kesa bunko - box in which kesa is kept

kessai - series of ceremonies performed when a trainee achieves rank of Chief Junior
(shusosho)

ketchimyaku - 'Blood Line' unbroken lineage from master to disciple

ketsuge - 'beginning the summer', the first day of anga

ki - activity

kikai - 'sea energy' = tanden

kimono - inner white robe

kinhin - walking meditation, mindful walking

Kissako - 'drink tea', Zen life is not something special separated from daily life

ko - a long period of time, kalpa Skt.

Ko - Confucius

koan - (=kung an Ch.) 'public document' or 'standard'; a formulation or story pertaining to

the ultimate truth; cannot be solved by logic

koh - incense

kokoro - mind = shin

kokoro kanashiku - the grief of the heart

kolomo or koromo - wide sleeved black robe of monk worn under the kesa

Kongo kyo - Diamond Sutra

koso - 'great monk'

kotsu - a roshi's baton or stick about 15" long

koza - discourse on a Zen textbook = teisho

ku - Sunyata, emptiness, void, vacuity

Kuin - Kitchen

Kuo Butsu - Dharmagahana Bhyudgata Raja (Skt) : a Buddha mentioned in the Lotus
Sutra who taught the understanding of the Absolute

kusen - oral teaching during Zazen

kutsujum - fine textured cloth resembling cotton, Bodhidharma's kesa was made of it

-kyo - sutra or teaching;' a thread on which jewels are strung '

kyogai - general mental attitude

kyuge betsuden - 'special transmission outside the teaching', transmission from mind to
mind

kyosaku or keisaku - long wooden stick applied to shoulders to encourage zazen practice;
person administering kyosaku and other duties

Kyudo - Zen archery

kyuhai - ninefold prostration

Makakashyo - Kasyapa the disciple of the Buddha

makyo - fantasies or hallucinations experienced during zazen

manda ryu o - dragon

Mandara - diagram expressing religious view of the universe (= Mandala)

mandara - blossoms, heavenly red flowers

mani ju - mani jewels, wish fulfilling gems

manji - swastika, ancient symbol of Indian Buddhism

mappo - present era of predicted decline of Buddhism

matcha - thick green tea, whipped to a froth in the Tea Ceremony

mayoi - delusion

Mikkyo - Tantric Buddhism

Miroku bosatsu - Maitreya Bodhissatva, the next Buddha, the Loving One

mokugyo - fish shaped drum used to beat rhythm during chanting

mokusa or moxa - 'burn herb' or incense next to the skin causing scars
mokusho zen - 'zen of silent enlightenment' i.e. without koans

Mon - temple gate

mondo - 'question and answer' sessions when student asks Master about aspects of
Buddhism

Monju Bosatsu - Manjushri Bodhisattva of Wisdom, the wisdom aspect of the Eternal
Buddha

monshin - a bow from the waist with the hands in gassho

mosshoseki - 'leaving not trace', an enlightened person lives completely natyrally leaving
no trace

mu - no/none/nothing/immaculacy/Buddha Mind - a famous koan

muga - no ego

mu i - (= wu wei Ch.) 'non doing'

muji - mu practice; meditating on the koan Mu

Mujinni Bosatsu - Aksayamati Bodhisattva of devotion

mujo - impermanence

mujodo no taigen - actualisation of the supreme way in daily life

muku sho - serene reflection

Mumonkan - famous collection of koans

munen/muso - 'without concepts and thoughts', a state of meditative absorption

musa - that which exists in its original unconditioned state

mushin - no heart

mushotoku - without any goal or profit seeking

myo - mystic

myo ho - mystic law

Myo ho renge kyo - Lotus Sutra

naisan - visiting the roshi secretly for sanzen when special circumstances warrant it

namu amida butsu - "Homage to Amidhaba Buddha" mantra

namu myoho renge kyo - "Honour to the Lotus Sutra" mantra

nehan - nirvana, extinction of desire and delusion

Nehan - day for observing the Death of the Buddha - 15th February

nembutsu recitation of the name of Amida Buddha in Jodo sect = 'Namu Amida
Butsu'

nembutsu shu - Pure Land sect

nenge misho - 'smiling and twirling a flower' transmission from Shakyamuni Buddha to
Mahakashyapa, from master to student

nenju - formal thanksgiving to Roshi in Zendo

ninkyo funi - 'person phenomenon not two'

ni oshi - woman priest, priestess

ni sodo - nun

Niwa zume - 'occupying the court', one of the experiences that a novice has to go through
before admittance to a monastery, left outside the monastery for several days

No or Noh- Japanese dance drama

nosu or noshi - patchwork robe of monk or a monk who wears the patchwork robe

nyoi - wooden or jade sceptre carried by celebrant during ceremonies, can be shape of
lotus representing the compassion of Kanzeon

nyoi - jewel = cintamani (skt.) jewel capable of removing all suffering

nyoihoju - wish fulfilling gem

Nyorai - Tathagata, 'thus gone', i.e. Buddha

Nyorai zo - 'Tathagata treasurehoue', Buddha nature

Nyorai zo shin - 'mind of Tathagata treasure-house', the mind of human beings is identical
to that of the Buddha

oba san - monk or priest

Obaku shu - Obaku Zen sect

ocha - green tea

ochazuke - tea poured over boiled rice

Ohigan - Japanese festival of the equinox

ojin - (Nirmanakaya Skt.) transformation body of Buddha; oneness; absorption to the point
of self forgetfulness

Oneness - experience of the Void or Emptiness

oryoki - formal meals, set of bowls for meals and begging

Osho - a Buddhist priest

otoki - dinner
Ox Herding Pictures - a series of ten pictures depicting Zen training, attributed to Kaku an
Shi en, a 12th Century Chinese priest

rakan - arhat (lohan Ch.) humans who have achieved full enlightenment

rakusu - abbreviated, less formal kesa robe worn around the neck

renge - lotus blossom

ri - measure of distance about 1/3 mile

rinne - 'wheel of life', cycle of birth and death in the six realms

Rinzai - Zen school

ro - 'twelth month', marks end of ango; monks count the number of ro spent in the
monastery as a rank of seniority

Rohatsu or Rohachi - day of the Buddha's enlightenment - 8th December

Rohatsu Sesshin -Sesshin comemorating the Buddha's enlightenment ending on 8th

December

rokudo - six realms of existence:

jigoku - hell
gaki - hungry ghosts
chikusho - beasts
shura - asuras ; titans
ningen - human beings
tenjo - devas ; gods

Rokuso - 'Sixth Patriarch' Hui Neng

Roshi - 'venerable teacher'

Ryoga kyo or Ryogi kyo - Lankaravata Sutra. the Lanka Entering Scripture

Ryogon kyo - Shurangama Sutra

Ryoji or Ryozen - mountain in India known as Vultures Peak

Ryo - a dragon, defender of the Buddhist faith

sabetsu no sekai - world of differentiation and intellectual understanding

saiketanden - see tanden

saiza - dinner

sakugo - 'requesting a work', question asked by a student during the Master's teisho

Sambo - the Three Treasures:

Namu kie Butsu

Namu kie Ho
Namu kie So
sammyaku smabodai - complete and perfect enlightenment

sammai or zammai = samadhi (Skt.)

samo/samu - physical work as part of everyday life in monastery; working meditation

sampai - (triple) prostration with the forehead on the ground and the palms upwards

sanakudo - the three evil realms: hell, hungry ghosts and beasts

sangai - the three worlds of desire, form and no form

sange - contrition, sincere repentance

sanju ni so - the 32 distinguishing marks of a Buddha

San Ki Kai - the Three Refuges

San mon - the main gate of a Zen monastery

sanshin - the three bodies = trikaya (Skt)

Sanso - 'mountain monk' name a Roshi uses to describe himeslf

sanzen - interview with teacher

Sanzo - the Tripitaka, Buddhist Cannon

Sarei - tea drinking ceremony in a Monastery

satori - enlightenment experience

Segaki - feeding the Hungry Ghosts ceremony held twice a year

seiza - Japanese sitting posture, kneeling with the back straight and the buttocks on the
heels

Sekko - a Zen master

Semmon Dojo - Zen Institute

senge - 'entering transformation', dying

Senju Kannon - Kannon with a thousand arms

sensei - teacher

sesshin - 'to unify the mind' - a meditation retreat

setsuna jodo - to attain Buddhahood in a single moment, whilst still in a mortal body

settai - giving to pilgrims

Shaka Nyorai - Shakyamuni Buddha; the historical Buddha

'shako' - 'this!': a cry pointing to reality

shaku - unit of measure just over a foot in length

shakujo - a Buddhist priest's staff mad from wood and metal

shami - a male Buddhist novice vowed to observe the 10 precepts

shamon - a novice, wanderer, monk or priest

shari - relic of the Buddha or priest

Sharihotsu - Shariputra disciple of the Buddha

shashu - an expression of respect similar to a gassho, hands are joined with the fingers
curled on the chest

Shigu Seigan - the Four Vows, see Shiku seigon

Shiho - dharma transmission

shikantaza - 'just (nothing but) sitting '; meditation using no devices such as breath
counting or a koan

Shikaryo - general directing office of a monastery

shiki - consciousness : realms 1 to 6 are taste, sight, sound, smell, touch, intellect; 7 is
Manas (the source of persistent I Awareness); 8 is Alaya vijnana or 'seed' repository

shikishin funi - concept of indivisible oneness of mind and body

shiki soku ze ku, ku soko ze shiki - 'Phenomena become emptiness, emptiness becomes
phenomena', the core sentence of the Heart Sutra

shiku seigon - the Four Vows:

Sentient beings are numberless, I vow to save them;

Desires are inexhaustible, I vow to put an end to them;
The Dharmas are boundless, I vow to master them;
The Buddha Way is unsurpassable, I vow to attain it.

shin - mind, soul, spirit, 'heart', intuition, will, True Self, Buddha Nature

Shin Buddhism - Pure Land Buddhism

shingi - rules of monastic daily life; also used as a suffix

shingon - mantra, short religious text or word, 'true words'

Shingon - esoteric sect of Buddhism

shin jin datsu raku - 'body and mind dropped away'

shin san shiki - Abbot installing ceremony

shin to - 'new arrival', novice awaiting admission to a monastery

shiryo - thinking

shisho - the four modes of birth: from womb, egg, moisture or metamorphosis
shisho - teacher, tutor

shi tai - the four noble truths

sho - satori, wisdom, understanding

sho - sentient beings

shobo - 'the true law', the first period of Buddhism

Shobogenzo - book by Zen Master Dogen 'Treasury of the True Dharma Eye'

sho Butsu ichi nyo - 'sentient beings and Buddha are not two (different)'

shodo - 'way of writing', caligraphy

Shofuku ji - Japans first Zen Temple, established in 1191 at Fukuoka by Eisai

shoji - tinted paper screens forming the walls of Japanese rooms

shoji = samsara (Skt.) - the realm of birth and death

shoji soku nehan - 'birth and death are themselves nirvana' - samsara and nirvana are
the same

shojin ryori - Zen style vegetarian cuisine

Shojo - Hinayana Buddhism

Sho Kannon - human shaped form of Kannon, usually protrayed standing and holding a
lotus and a vial/vase of water of compassion

shoken or shokan - 'seeing one another', first dokusan between student and master after
the student's enlightenment has been recognised

shomon - 'one who hears', a disciple

shoso funi - 'nature and form are not two'

Shoshi - 'genuine master'

Shoshigata - the Patriarchs of Zen; 28 in India and 6 in China

Shoyo roku - 'Record of Great Serenity' - 100 koans

shu - practice

...-shu - sect, church, school

shujo honra hotoke nari - 'all beings are endowed with Buddha nature from the very
beginning'

shura - Buddha curl, small tuft of hair left on head which is removed during the ordination
ceremony

shuryo or sodo - trainee's hall

Shuso - head monk or head of designated training period, usually 3 months, ensures that
the rules of the dojo are followed

Shusogi - "What is truly meant by Training and Enlightenment", compiled extracts from the
Shobgenzo

Shushosho - Chief Junior trainee selected by Abbot to lead trainees for 100 days

So - Buddhist Priest

So - Sangha

Sodan - Sangha

sodo or semmen dojo or zendo - temple or monastery

Sodo - monk's dormitory in a Zen monastery

Sojo - Buddhist High Priest

sokoshin jobutsu - manifesting one's Buddha Nature

Sonja - honorific title of an Indian Zen Patriarch

sosan - listening to roshi's lectures as a group

Soto - Zen sect (ts'ao tung Ch.)

Sotoba - Stupa

taiko - senior member of the priesthood who has undergone at least 5 years training

taiso - title meaning 'Great Ancestor'

takuan - pickled raddish

takushatsu - 'holding the bowl', religious mendicancy, begging for food and alms

Tamo - Bodhidharma

tan - wooden platform about 3 ft high around zendo where trainees sit, eat and sleep

tanden = saietanden = Dantien (ch.) = hara (skt) - point just below the navel

tanga or tanka - overnight stay of wandering monk in a monastery

tang zume - 'staying in the guest's room', trial period for a monk requesting acceptance
into a monastery

tanka - short poem, 5:7:5:7:7 syllables

tan to - head of the tan

tariki - 'power of others', power of Amitabha Buddha to liberate those who recite his name

tatami - rice straw mat, about 6ft x 3ft

Tatchu - residential sub temple of a Zen Monastery

teisho - 'Dharma talks'; lecture

tekiden - 'authorised transmission'

Ten - Deva ; 'god'

Ten - one of 6 worlds, Deva realm, heaven

Tendai - (T'ien t'ai Ch.) Buddhist sect

Ten doku - 'read revolving' recitation of long sutras with each monk reading the beginning
and end of a volume

tengetsu - clear penetrating vision, beyond normal human vision

tenkien - senior priest on night duty in training temple

tennitsu - clear penetrating hearing, beyond normal human hearing

Tenrinno - Cakraarti Raja (Skt) - Wheel Turning King

Tenzo - cook in monastery

Tera - temple

Toba - Stupa

tokonoma - alcove in Tea House with a work of art, caligraphy or painting

tokudo - monk ordination ceremony: 'leaving home'

tomoe - Buddhist swastika symbol

Torii - distinctive gateway to a Shinto Temple

Tosotsuten - Tushita Heaven, the fourth heaven of Buddhist mythology

Tosu - Lavatory of a Zen Monastery

uji - existence, flow, time

unno - 'cloud robe' = unsui

unpan - bronze board gong with cloud design used to call monks to meals, 'cloud plate'

usa - that which is removed from its native state by conditioning, hence phenomena in the
natural and human worlds

unsui - 'cloud water': a novice

wasan - 'song of praise' to Buddha, Bodhisattva or Patriarch

wato - (hua t'ou Ch.) - word or phrase from a koan

Wegasa - 'circular kesa' simplified kesa worn by lay ordained trainees

Yakuseki - evening meal, taken as 'medicine'

Yakushi Nyorai - the Buddha of Healing

yaza - zazen done after 9pm (the usual bedtime in a Zen monastery)

yo in - yin and yang the principle of polarity, e.g. earth and heaven, male and female, etc.

Yuima - Vimalakirti (Skt.) - ''Spotless Reputation' a highly enlightened layman living at the
time of the Buddha

Yuimakyo - Vimalakirti Sutra consisting of the discourses of Vimalakirti

zabutan - square sitting mat

zafu - kapok filled cushion used in zazen

zaku or zagu - piece of cloth carried by monk on which bowing is done; bowing mat

zaniku - blanket about 1 metre square

zazen - Zen meditation

zazenkai - group of persons practising zazen; one day gatehring

Zempanryo - quarters reserved for Roshi

zenbyo - 'Zen sickness' makyo or attachment to ones own enlightenment experiences

Zendo or Sodo - large hall or room where zazen is practised

Zen'en Shingi - 'Book of rules for Zen Monasteries' by Chinese Master Tsu Chiao in 1101

Zenji - 'Zen Teacher'

Zenshu - Zen sect

Zenso - Zen priest

zuda or Zudo gyo - twelvefold practice of a Hinayana monk

Zen observance days :

Jan 1st : New Year-three days rest and reading sutras
Feb 15th : death of the Buddha - Mehan
Mar 18th to 24th : equinox called Higan; some monks undertake begging tours
Apr 8th : birth of the Buddha - Hanamatsuri
Jun 21st : summer solstice
Jul 1st : monks change robes ( no special ceremony )
Jul 15th to Aug 15th : Obon - offering food to ancestors, especially on Aug 15th
Sept 20th to 26th : equinox called Higan; some monks undertake begging tours
Oct 5th : memorial day to Bodhidharma (Daruma) - monks and laity purchase
Daruma dolls and the monks honour the sage with special chanting
Oct 15th : monks change robes ( no special ceremony )
Dec 8th : enlightenment day of Buddha - Rohatsu
Dec 21st : winter solstice-party

These notes were compiled from various sources (the books of D T Suzuki, P Jiyu-Kennett,
D Katagiri, C Humphreys, T Deshimaru and the Rider Encyclopedia to name a few). The
words are Japanese unless specified.

GLOSSARY OF
JAPANESE ZEN
TERMS No. 3.

A
Ai-nuke mutual escape
Ai-uchi mutual striking down
Akago no kokoro mind of an infant; child's mind
Amado "rain door"
Angya travelling on foot: a Buddhist pilgrimage
Antan assignment of living space
Arayashiki all conserving consciousness

B
Baito tea made with plum seed and sugar served as the ceremony for
the beginning of each day
Banka evening services
Banka soji evening cleaning
Bhutakoti limit of reality
Bodhi enlightenment
Bodhidharma also P'u-t'i Ta-mo or Ta-mo or Daruma; the twenty- eighth
Buddhist patriarch, founder of Zen
Bosatsu Bodhisattva or p'u-sa; a great enlightened one
Buddha also, Butsudo or hondo; Guatarma Siddharta, the founder of
Buddhism
Bukkwa becoming and being; see Wu-hua
 Bushi a knight or military scholar
Bushido "the way or code of the military or martial scholar"
Busshin-gyo Buddha-mind act
Butsuden temple building enshrining an image or images of the Buddha

C
Ch'a-ch'a / sassatsu lively and self assured
Chado the way of tea; the ritual of the tea ceremony
Ch'an Zen
Ch'ang forever
Ch'ang-tao "always-so-ness"
Cha-no-yu the tea ceremony
Chen / tei perseverance
Cheng the state of things as they are
Ch'eng / makoto sincerity
Ch'eng-ch'eng / jojo droop and drift
Chen-jen true man
Chih / jaku / chi wisdom, tranquility
Ch'i / ki spirit, abstract form of energy originating in the Tan Tien or
Hara
Chih-jen : see Shijin

Chih-mo : see Shih-mo suchness

Choka Morning services
Chu-chang / shujo staff
Ch'un ch'i pure spirit
Chung Yung : see Chuyo doctrine of the Mean
 Chuyo/Chung Yung doctrine of the Mean

D
Daido mumon from the preface to the Mumonkan, a Zen text by Hui-
k'ai(1183-1260, a monk of the later Sung dynasty.Discourses
on the text, comprising forty-eight cases are frequently held in
Zen monasteries
Daienkyochi mirror wisdom
Daigaku / Ta Hsueh great learning
Dai-hannya ceremony of reading the sutra titles
Daikon-hatsu collecting white radishes for pickling
Daiyu /T a-yung / Myoyu an aesthetic quality perceivable in a work of art or in nature
/ Miao-yung itself.The sword in the hand of a swordsman, or any activity
carried out with something more than technique
Daruma Japanese name for Bodhidharma
Daruma-ki memorial day for the Bodhidharma, 5th October
Dentoroku /
Ch'uan-teng Lu
"transmission of the lamp"

Deshi a disciple or pupil of a Shisho [spiritual master or teacher]

Doka poetry of the Tao
Dokusan individual consultation with a Zen master; a form of sanzen
Donai that part of a monastery other than its administrative quarters
Donai fugin chanting scriptures in the meditation hall

E
ekagrata one-pointedness
Enju growing vegetables
Enjudo life prolonging room; the healing room of a monastery
F
Fen / bun mutuality
Fudo-shin immovable mind
Fuga refinement of life
Fugin chanting scriptures
Funi nonduality
Furyu feeling for nature
Fushiki / Fuchi /
Pu-shih
beyond knowledge

Fusu monk in charge of the accounts and business affairs of a

monastery
Fuzui a monk assigned as attendant to the head monk

G
Gaki hungry spirits
Gyodo ceremony of chanting scriptures whilst moving

H
Haiku form of poetry having three lines; five syllables in the first
line, seven in the second, five in the third
Hakama a divided skirt worn as 'over-trousers'
Haka naki transient vain
Handaikan waiting on the table of the dining room
Hange mid-term or half term day
Hansai special meal
Haori upper or outer coat
Happo biraki open on all sides
 Hashin kyuji rest, mending and preparation; taking up the needle and moxa
treatment
Heijo-shin everyday mind Higan-hatsu
Hin / P'in poverty
Hinsetsu receiving visitors at the head temple
Hoben skillful means
Hokku dharma drum
Hoko escapade at night
Hondo 'main hall'; alternative name for the Butsuden or Buddha Hall
Honrai no memmoku /
Pen-lai mien-mu
original face

Honshin original mind

Hoshin / Fang-hsin runaway mind
Ho....u chanting, used by monks whilst walking in the street,
begging."The rain of Dharma"
Hsi-hsi / Kiki wreathed in smiles
Hu-jan nien
ch'i/Kotsunen nenki
sudden awakening of thought

I
i/gi justice
ichinen/i-nien one thought
iho / ihori hut
Inji [sanno] attendant to the master
Inji gyo secret good deeds
innen anecdote or incident
isagi-yoku leaving no regrets; with a clear conscience; like a brave man;
with no reluctance
J
jaku tranquility
jaku metsu absolute tranquility; absolute nothingness; complete
annihilation of the ego
jen-jin love
ji / shih the particular, as distinct from the universal ri/li
Jihatsu the bowl used by a monk for meals and begging
Jikijitsu the elder monk who supervises the others during meditatin,
worship, etc.
jisei 'parting-with-life verse'
jiyu/tzu-yu self-reliance
jizai/tzu-tsai self being
jodo / ch'ang-tao "always-so-ness"
Joju the administrative quarters of a monastery; such as offices,
kitchen, etc.
Joju fugin chanting scriptures in the administrative quarters
Josaku a day or period of relaxation from monastery routine
juan ho ho ti softness

K
Kaichin "Release from the samadhi meditation"; retiring at night
Kaihan "opening the han"; the thrice-daily announcement of time
Kaijo "opening the samadhi meditation"; arising in the morning
Kaiko an opening discourse by the master
Kaisan-ki memorial day for the founder of the monastery
Kaisei end of training term
Kaiyoku "opening the bath"; bathing
 kake mono scroll kami nagara no michi gods; non interference with
natural affairs
kan-mi the 'taste' of sabi
Kansho a summon from the master
kara a small kesa
karma

karuna / hi / pei love for sentient beings

Kashaku "hanging up the priest's staff"
Katan participation in a large general Zen meeting
kaya bodily existence
Kayu soft cooked rice
Keisaku the staff or stick used to administer discipline during
meditation
kendo the art of swordsmanship
Kensho "seeing one's nature"; another term for satori
Kentan "inspecting the platform"; the master's visit to the meditation
hall
kesa / kasaya a garment worn by a Zen monk around the neck, covering the
chest
ki see ch'i
Kiin returning to the monastery
ki-in / ch'i-yun spiritual rhythm
Kikan the master's address of encouragement
Kiku rules for daily routine
Kinhin "sutra-going"; the practice of meditation while walking in the
meditation hall
Kitan ryshaku end of term examination
klesa/bonno affect
 ko/heng success
Koe seasonal change of robes
Koju-sai reception day for lay followers
kokoro/hsin the mind or heart
kokoro tomeru /
kokoro tomuna
not to have the mind 'stopped'

kokoro wo tomeru drifting or shifting from one thing to another; the attention
being taken by an object, transferred to it and staying there
Kokuho informal encouragement
kono-mama suchness
Konsho striking the evening bell
Kotai exchange or rotation of duties
ksanti meakness of spirit
ku / k'ung emptiness
kufu a device, or means, usually used for aiding satori
kufu / kung-fu escape from dilemma
kyo / hsu the emptiness in which infinite possibilities exist
kyogai /
ching-chieh / ching-ai
the field of conscious thought

Kyoo a treat or special meal

Kyusoku day of rest

L
Li / rei propriety
Li / ri furthering
Li / ri reason
Liao-hsi / ryotari blown adrift
M
Manjusri [name] Monju Bosatsu
meijin genius
misai no ichinen subtle trace of thought
Miso bean paste
Mogusa the plant 'yomogi' used in moxabustion
mondo / wen-ta questions and answers; discussion
Monju Bosatsu [name] Manjusri
moshin delusive mind
mu / wu nothing, negation
muga no ego
mujushin-ken sword of no abiding mind
Mumonkan a collection of forty-eight koan compiled in China in the
thirteenth century
Mumyo abiding state of ignorance
mushin no-mind-ness
mushin no shin no mind's mind
Musho-bonin recognising the reality which is not subject to birth and death;
supreme enlightenment
muso no thought
myo / miao wonder
myoyu / miao-yung something mysterious arising from the inner being, without
intellect

N
naniyara yukashi moved, without knowing why, by something aesthetic
Nikki diary or journal
 Nisshitsu entering the master's room
Nitten soji daily cleaning
Niwa-zume "occupying the courtyard"
Niya sannichi two nights and three days
nyunan-shin soft heartedness

O
Obon a mid-August festival celebrating the return of ancestral spirits
omou to think of or long for
omowanu to keep the mind empty
O-shikunichi twice monthly day of rest; the fourteenth day and the last day
of the month
osho master

R
Rohatsu "the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month" a week of training
beginning on the 1st December and finishing on the 8th
December, commemorating the Buddha's enlightenment day
on the latter of these dates
Roshi Old scholar or old teacher; a Zen master

S
Saba left over rice
Sabi loneliness
Saiza lunch
Samu working in the garden
Sando proceeding to the hall
 Sanno attendant; attending to the master
Sanzen going to a Zen master to receive instruction, usually by the use
of a koan
Sarei daily tea ceremony
Satori / Wu enlightenment
Segaki feeding the hungry spirits [gaki]
Sembutsu-jo the 'Buddha-selecting place', another name for the Zendo or
meditation hall
Sesshin a twice yearly week of intensive meditation and special
lectures
Shijo meditation in complete quietness 'gathering one's thoughts?'
Shika the head monk or chief administrator of a Zen monastery
Shikaryo the quarters of the head monk or administrator
Shikunichi days in the month containing the digits four or nine
Shisho a teacher or master of scholarship, religion or art; the spiritual
father of a student or disciple
Shitaku preparation
Shogatsu shitaku preparations for the new year
Shokei a brief rest whilst out begging
Shoken "mutual seeing"; the first interview between a novice and
master
shugendo an eclectic religion consisting of Buddhism, Shinto, Taoism
and shamanism, its priests known as yamabushi [priests who
lie down in the mountains]
Shujo : see Chu-chang staff
Shukushin going to service at the Buddha hall of the head temple on the
first and fifteenth day of each month
Shukuza breakfast
Shumai "gathering rice"
Shussai serving special Zen dishes to lay followers
 Shutto to put in an appearance [usually at a ceremony]
Shuya fire watching
Sodo "priest or monk hall"; a Zen monastery
Soji house cleaning
Sosan general consultation with a Zen master; a form of sanzen
Sozarei "general tea ceremony"

T
Ta Hsueh : see Daigaku great learning
Takuhatsu "carrying the bowl"; the practice of begging carried out by
monks
Tan "platform"; seat
Tana-gyo honouring family ancestors
Tanga staying overnight as a guest
Tanga-ryo a room set aside for overnight lodging, used by pilgrims or
novices who desire to enter the monastery
Tanga-zume "occupying the overnight room"
Teihatsu shaving the head
Teisho discourse or commentary by a Zen master
Tenjin visiting a lay follower's home
Tenzo kitchen
Toya a party on the night of the winter solstice
Tsukemono pickled Japanese vegetables

W
Wabi solitariness; transcendentiality
wu see mu
 wu chi limitless
Wu-hua becoming, being
Wu-ming abiding state of ignorance

Y
yamabushi priests who lie down in the mountains
Yawaragai gentleness of spirit
Yaza individual seated meditation by night

Z
Zanka returning to one's home temple, monastery or school
Zazen seated meditation
Zendo "meditation hall"; building in which monks live and practice
zazen; zen monastery or school
Zen-shu a Buddhist Zen sect
Zuii-za "sitting as one pleases"; release from daily routine

This file is the work of Stan

Rosenthal. The author has
asked that no hard copies, ie.
paper copies, are made. Stan
Rosenthal may be contacted at
44 High street, St. Davids,
Pembrokeshire, Dyfed, Wales,
UK. Bill Fear may be contacted
at 29 Blackweir Terrace,
Cathays, Cardiff, South
Glamorgan, Wales, UK. Tel
(0222) 228858 email
fear@thor.cf.ac.uk. Please use
email as first method of
contact, if possible.

NOTE: You may find and odd

sentence or missing
information every now and
again in the files. Hopefully not
too frequently. This is because
the files were originally written
 on a machine using CP/M and
had to be converted to dos
format. Many of the 5.25 disks
were very old and had bad
sectors - thus missing info

Source:
www.swzc.org/Html/ZBGlss
ry.htm

Zen Glossary No. 4.

Bodhisattva - An awakened or enlightened being who renounces the experience of nirvana
in order to remain with unenlightened beings and work for the liberation of all. The
bodhisattva ideal is closely associated with Mahayana Buddhism.

Ch'an - The Chinese word for zen. The word ch'an predates the Japanese word zen, of
course, since zen originated in China and came to Japan later.

Dharma - The dharma (almost as difficult to define as zen) is thought of variously as the
Way, the Path, Cosmic Law and Universal 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. The ethical rules of Buddhism are
included but the dharma encompasses far more than that. It is the fundamental spirit
underlying zen and Buddhism. The dharma is as much something to do as it is something to
discuss or read about.

Dojo - Literally: the room or hall (do-) of the way (-jo). Dojo is often used interchangeably
with zendo, however, the 'way' referred to by 'dojo' does not necessarily have to be zen.
Technically speaking, dojo could also refer to a room where judo is taught, for example. For
our purposes, however, it refers to a room or building in which zen is practiced.

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, though it is by no means limited to sesshin: some modern
teachers have expanded the practice of dokusan to include communication by telephone and
e-mail.

Eightfold Path - The Eightfold path was given by the Buddha as part of the Four Noble
Truths and as such, as the main 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
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

Gatha - A short sutra. As an example, here is a meal gatha often spoken before eating:

We venerate the three treasures, And are thankful for this food;
The work of many hands, And the sharing of other forms of life.

Hinayana - Literally: "Small Vehicle". One of the three main branches of Buddhism, the
other two being Mahayana (great vehicle) and Vajrayana (indestructable 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.

Ino - One of the four or five main leaders of a sesshin, the others being the jiki-jitsu, jisha,
tanto and often the tenzo. The Ino leads chanting at sesshin and also directs oryoki-style
meals. At sesshin, the Ino is in charge of any matter that involves the mouth. An ino is
often present and leads chanting at other zen gatherings besides sesshin.

Jiki-jitsu - The timekeeper for a sesshin or for any meditation gathering. All matters having
to do with time are the responsibility of the "jiki" (provided the decisions do not conflict with
the activities or wishes of the roshi). The jiki usually leads kinhin as well.

Jisha - The roshi's attendant during sesshin. Those attending a sesshin are most aware of
the jisha's role as the person who directs dokusan; the jisha announces when dokusan
begins and guides students in and out.

Jukai - Taking the precepts, taking refuge in the precepts or taking up the way of the
bodhisattva. A significant step marked by a ceremony of the same name(s), jukai signifies a
serious commitment to zen, to the ten main precepts of Buddhism and to the salvation of all
beings. Each student will recite the ten precepts during the ceremony and explain to the
assembly what each precept means to him or her personally.

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 good or bad, may
come to pass many years from now or even in a subsequent lifetime. The important point to
remember is that no actions are isolated and independent; all are tied together in cause and
effect.

Kensho - An enlightenment or awakening experience. It is folly to try to describe this

experience in words, however, a kensho reportedly gives one a glimpse of one's own nature
and the true nature of reality. It is said that koan work can lead to kensho, though koan
work is not the only way.

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. 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 the old distinctions have become less important so
that today some teachers closer to the soto school have also used koans.

Kyosaku - Wake-up stick or encouragement stick. Used during long periods of zazen
(mainly during sesshin) to strike practitioners on the back or on the part of the shoulders
close to the neck. The kyosaku is not used for punishment: this is made clear by the fact
that receiving the kyosaku is voluntary; it is never given to those who do not request it.
Some request it simply to shake off sleepiness, but others say the blows can actually relax
tense muscles. Ceremonial walking of the kyosaku (without any striking) is done early in the
morning to signify opening the dojo and late in the evening to begin the closing.

Mahayana - Literally: "Great Vehicle". One of the three main branches of Buddhism, the
other two being Hinayana (small vehicle) and Vajrayana (indestructable 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."

Mondo - A short zen dialogue between master and student, usually from the past. The
student asks a question that is troubling him or her, and the master responds not with
theory or logic, but instead in a way that encourages the student to reach a deeper level of
perception. Many great mondos became koans.

Mudra - A 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.

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
occassion 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 tea
(while still at one's seat) and wrapped up again in the same specific way.

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 soto.
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 soto tradition. However, a positive trend seen in North American 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 eludicated 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.

Samu - Work Practice. This is work, usually physical, done in a mindful and aware manner.
Tasks should be carried out in silence, though speaking in hushed tones is permitted when
clarification or further instructions are needed. Periods of samu are often part of a sesshin,
though it can be performed at any time during one's daily life. Simply stated, samu is a
form of meditation done while working.
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.

Satori - A very deep state of meditation in which notions of duality, self and indeed all
concepts drop away. Profound satori is very close to an enlightenment experience (see
kensho).

Sensei - A recognized teacher of zen. The title sensei, like the title roshi, traditionally is
positioned after the teacher's name rather than before. This convention is not adhered to
rigidly, however.

Sesshin - Most easily translated as a meditation retreat, though the wrong impression may
be given by using this 'shorthand' definition. Many feel the word retreat has the wrong
connotations, since 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 also private interviews with a teacher (see dokusan). Meals are
often eaten oryoki style, and periods of samu are generally included. The duration of a
sesshin, at least in North America, is usually 3, 5 or 7 days, though the length can be
shorter or longer and an odd number of days is not required.

Shashou - The position in which to hold the hands for kinhin and whenever moving about
in the zendo. To form this position, first one hand should gently be made into a loose fist
with the thumb held inside. The other hand is then wrapped around the fist with the thumb
resting in the slight indendation at the top of the first hand. Together the hands are held at
the upper part of the stomach area, near the base of the ribs. During sesshin it's good
practice to hold the hands in shashou not only in the zendo or just during kinhin, but during
almost any time that's spent standing or walking.

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 soto tradition, to be the highest form of zazen.

Soto - 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 soto school. Thus it follows that
there is less emphasis placed on dokusan and koan study in the soto 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 soto and rinzai to be of great importance.

Sutra - A Buddhist cannon written in prose form. The chanting of sutras can at times be a
form of singing, but more commonly it 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.

Tanto - One of the main leaders of a sesshin, the tanto is in charge of the smooth running
of the zendo. The tanto is usually an experienced senior student who is familiar with the
roles of the other leaders and thus is able to offer guidance if any confusion arises.
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. Similarly today, a tenzo is often considered to be
one of the main leaders for sesshin.

Vesak - The celebration of the Buddha's birth, which traditionally is set in May on the day
of the full moon. This is a very important holiday to Therevadans (see Hinayana), and in
that tradition vesak is considered more that just a commemoration; it's a celebration of the
dharma and a day to remember the entire life of the Buddha, including his birth,
enlightenment and death.

Zazen - Seated still 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 25 or 30 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, although a teacher need not be present.

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. When Mahayana Buddhism was
introduced it was influenced by the indigeneous Chinese religion Taoism. Most scholars
believe, for example, that it was from exposure to Taoism that zen developed its great
caution and reluctance towards using words and concepts as the path to enlightenment.
From China zen moved on mainly to Japan, Korea and Vietnam, although it found some
acceptance in other regions, as well.

The word ch'an is a transliteration of the Sanskrit word Dhyana, meaning concentration (i.e.
meditation). While some schools of Buddhism emphasize elaborate cosmologies, devotional
practices, chanted formulas and arcane images and gestures, zen offers meditation (zazen)
as the best way to discover things directly for oneself.

Another distinctive chracteristic of zen is that the person of the Buddha is regarded with
somewhat less reverence than in most other Buddhist traditions. Certainly zen practitioners
can exhibit a degree of respect and admiration for the Buddha, especially for his solitary
quest for enlightenment without the guidance of anyone before him and for his burning
desire to cure the world's suffering. However, zen Buddhists do believe the Buddha was just
a man after all and that being fixated on this man is not a sensible path to enlightenment.
Thus a bit of disregard for the Buddha now and then is considered healthy. One zen master,
when he heard a student speak reverently of the Buddha, washed out the student's mouth
with soap! (It should be noted , however, that zen is certainly not the only tradition that
considers the Buddha to be just an admirable person and not a godlike figure.)

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. An altar is
not essential but usually one is present. If possible, the room should be private and quiet,
free from distractions such as television, music and noise from nearby automobile traffic or
pedestrians. (However, it's important to note that quiet, isolated locations are not the only
place to practice! Zen should be taken out into the real world as well, and sometimes a little
traffic noise is a good reminder of that.) As with the English word "hall," zendo is sometimes
used to refer to an entire building or teaching center.

Source: www.austinzencenter.org/azc/GlossaryOfTerms.shtml

Zen Glossary No. 5.

banka
Afternoon chanting. During sesshin the entire community takes part in the
ceremony, during seichu only the densu and his staff chant. At Mt. Baldy Zen
Center the tradition is that dai-sesshin starts with banka on the previous
day. The chanting takes place in the "Buddha Hall" which we call "Sutra
Hall" at Mt. Baldy Zen Center. For opening a Dai-sesshin banka starts around
3 pm.

chôka
Morning chanting. During seichu the entire community gathers for morning
chanting. It is held in the Sutra Hall and lasts between 35 and 45 minutes.
The morning chanting is the very first item on the schedule after the formal
morning tea.

densu
At Mt. Baldy the densu takes care of the Buddha Hall, butsuden.
The densu is in charge of the daily chanting as well as all other
ceremonies. The densu also takes care of communicating with the
"outside" world, correspondence, phone calls etc. As the
"guestmaster" the densu also keeps track of who is coming or
leaving. Literally den means hall and su to manage, govern.

dônai
Everyone who lives "in" the zendô, i.e. the officers and students.
Traditionally the dônai are the monks and nuns in training. They
are given space and time to engage fully in the pursuit of their Zen
studies.
handaikan
Every formal meal is served by assigned servers,
called handaikan. Han literally is "meal", dai is
"table", and kan to "oversee". Formal meals are
served in a specific ceremonial fashion and the
handaikan are selected by the shoji from the dônai. A
second meal, that is also formal, is reserved for the
handaikan and whoever did not take part in the first
meal.

hashinkyuji

The official term for a rest day. Literally it refers to a day on which you
may pick up the needle (to mend your robes), to burn moxa (acupuncture),
and apply other medicines. There is no sanzen and no samu. Residents
may leave camp for walks or shorter hikes, write letters, read...

hôsan sarei
Sarei in the time you are free from sanzen i.e. before the samu period.
During seichu it is served in a formal fashion but does not require formal
attire, such as robes, the zendô also stays closed, there are no burning
candles on the butsudan. During sesshin however it is part of the formal
afternoon schedule and is held before banka.

inji
The rôshi's attendant. The inji position is a very demanding job.
Duties include all imaginable facets of a caretaker, such as
cooking, cleaning, assisting by doing errands, driving.... The inji
lives in a cabin connected to the rôshi's quarters by a covered
walkway. The rôshi only needs to ring his bell an the inji is ready to
serve.

inryô

Although we do not used this term at Mt. Baldy, it should have its
place here. Inryô refers to the quarters to which the rôshi retreats
i.e., where he lives. The person that serves in these quarters is
called the inji.

jikijitsu
 The person in charge of the zendô. The jikijitsu keeps time,
corrects, admonishes, inspires. It is the leading position in the
zendô, manifesting strength, a fatherly role. The jikijitsu also
carries the keisaku, the warning stick.

jôjű
Officers that take care of the running of the Zen Center. These
officers are not required to come to the zendô if their duties do not
permit. The positions are shika - the director or head monk, tenzo -
the cook, densu, inji, and various other positions. In Japan these
officers did not take part in takuhatsu, the begging - the characters
literally mean "those who always stay".

jokei
Helpers to the jikijitsu, they assist in running the zendô and also
help people to stay on track. Each side of the zendô has one jokei.
They take their names for the tan on which they sit, either jiki
jokei for the jikijitsu tan, or tanto jokei for the tanto tan.

jokô

The main assistant to the jikijitsu who also measures time. Literally "the
one who assists with the incense". Time is traditionally measured by
incense burning. Jikijitsu and joko alternate the "timekeeping" duties and
switch seats every night.

kaichin
The end of the formal day. Kai means "to release, loosen" and chin
"arrangements, rules". Going to sleep we end our formal practice. The
evening ends with the opening of a zazen period that will last until the
next morning when it is time for kaijo.

kaihan
Sounding the han, a wooden board hung outside the zendô. The ubiquitous
7-5-3 pattern with the accelerating "rolls" in-between is played with a
wooden mallet. Often calligraphy is found on the board admonishing the
practitioners to work hard.

kaijo
 Wake-up. Kai means to open, to begin and jo is silence, samadhi. Waking
up we begin our samadhi. The shoji is in charge of waking up the upper
camp i.e. the donai, the densu wakes the lower camp.

kanju

The overseer of a temple. The kanju ranks above the head monk, the
shika. He oversees the general activities without having to do the daily
administrative work himself.

kanshô

Refers to the officer sitting in the sanzen waitingroom as well as to the bell
itself.

keisaku
The "warning" stick. Traditionally made from hard wood (oak) in the
winter, when monks wear several layers of robes. In the summer, when
thinner garments are worn, the stick used to be of a softer wood such as
pine. The jikijitsu and his staff walk with the stick and use it as necessary.
The flattened end is used to "massage" the shoulder muscles while at the
same time the sound produced wakes other practitioners as well.

kinhin
Walking meditation in-between zazen periods. Ropes are used to lift the
long robes to the middle of the calf as we walk in single file and unison
step. Hands are held in sashu.

kôan
Literally it means public plan, proposal. It refers to the zen "problem" that
the master assigns to the student. The understanding of the student is
tested by the master during sanzen.

nitensôji
 A short cleaning period during the day. Everyday a brief time is devoted to
cleaning and maintenance of the facilities. Restocking bathroom tissue,
cleaning sinks, vacuuming, sweeping... This period of time is regarded as
part of formal practice and is usually done in robes. Bigger jobs are taken
care of in the samu period.

rôhatsu
December eighth, the day of Shakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment. It is
celebrated in the winter by rôhatsu dai-sesshin which traditionally is the
most demanding retreat. Additional meetings with the master and very
little sleep combined with the cold weather help to make this a unique
experience.

rôshi

A zen master; At Mt. Baldy Zen Center it is Kyozan Joshu Rôshi. The
master holds personal interviews, called sanzen, and gives talks
during sesshin, called teishô.

ryôtô

The dorm master or cabin leader. Sometimes officers are assigned to

specific duties such as taking care of the sewing, woodwork etc. The
official title then would be e.g. sewing ryôtô.

samu
Work practice. Samu is not work as such, it is an integral part of formal
zen training. The assigned tasks are meant as opportunities to manifest
and deepen one's experience. Silence is kept and the tasks are fulfilled
with a minimum amount of talking necessary to complete the project.

sandô
Entering the zendô - everyone is introduced to the zendô, either as
a returning or as a new student. The shôji announces the new
arrival and leads the newcomer to the butsudan. The newcomer
does sampai, three deep bows, and is then led to his/her seat.
After being seated tea is served to everyone: sarei.

sanzen
 The individual meeting with the rôshi. In sanzen the work on the
kôan is "inspected" by the master. The sanzen procedure is formal
and includes ringing the kansho bell, bowing etc. Sanzen is given
during seichu twice a day. In dai-sesshin there are usually four
sanzen. It is not optional - you have to go. During sesshin the rôshi
sees about 40 people 4 times daily, 7 days - that is 1140
interviews!

sarei

Having tea together. There are formal and informal types of sarei.
The begin and the end of the formal day always contain sarei and
tea is served to everyone. A special "general" sarei is sometimes
served in the Sutra Hall with rôshi, it is called sô-sarei.

seichu
The period of strict regulations. At Mt. Baldy Zen Center there are two
seichu periods yearly, summer and winter seichu. During seichu rôshi
stays at Mt. Baldy and gives sanzen and often teisho. Dai-sesshin are also
scheduled during seichu. All distractions are reduced to a minimum and a
rigorous schedule from 3:00 AM to 9:00 PM is in effect.

seikan
The period of time between strict training periods. In these times the
center hosts groups and conferences. The daily practice is less formal and
rôshi usually travels to other centers to give dai-sesshin. There is more
time to socialize, listen to music, hike. Much of the time however is
devoted to preparing camp for the groups and seminars, cooking in
advance, serving...

sesshin
A strict period of time in which samu practice is suspended. Setsu means
to touch, join, join together and shin is heart, mind. Samu is replaced by
additional meditation. There is absolutely no talking. When rôshi gives
teisho and holds sanzen the kind of sesshin is called dai-sesshin.

shika
The head monk/nun or director. This is a senior position and is
usually held by a senior monk/nun. Everything from planning
sesshin, deciding on the schedule, administrating sanzen,
introducing new students to the master, etc..... lasts on the shika.
The shika leads the rôshi to official functions such as chanting,
teishô etc.
shôji
Shôji - literally means "The one who serves the saint(s)". The selection of
the characters reflects that his duties mainly are done in the zendô where
you find a statue of Manjushri. The shôji is the counterpart of the jikijitsu.
He takes care of the students and manifests a "motherly" role in the
zendô. Outside the zendô the shôji plans work assignments etc. It is a hard
job to be there for everyone, anytime.

shôken
Literally "seeing for the first time". A brief ceremony in the rôshi's
quarters in which the shika introduces a new student to the
master. By having tea together the formal relationship of master-
student is established. Traditionally the new student brings some
fine incense as donation, shôken-kô. At. Mt. Baldy a small
monetary donation is the custom.

shôten

The helper of the tenzo. Sometimes when there is no ordained resident

taking the position of the tenzo the main cook is called the shôten and
fulfills all the duties of a tenzo.

sôsan
General sanzen. Instead of going to sanzen at one's choice a formal order
is kept. The bell is struck by the kansho instead of the student. At Mt.
Baldy Zen Center usually the last sanzen of a dai-sesshin is held in this
fashion.

tachu

A sub-temple within the grounds of the larger temple.

takuhatsu
The traditional begging. In Japan the begging is done by the dônai and the
jôjű stay at the temple. At Mt. Baldy Zen Center takuhatsu is done by one
person, usually the jikijitsu. The day takuhatsu is received a special
chanting of the Heart Sutra at the closing of the zendô expresses the
gratitude of the recipients.

tantô
 The head monk of the tan, the sitting platform. It refers to the seat at the
very top of the side across from the jikijitsu. If this position is assigned it
is usually a senior monk/nun. The tantô also is part of the jikijitsu staff
and carries the keisaku.

teishô

The lecture of the zen master on the traditional texts. Joshu Rôshi speaks
about passages from the rinzai-roku and examples from the mumon-kan.
teisho is held in the Sutra Hall and the master ascends to the high chair
from which he delivers his lecture. Teishô is open to the public.

tenzo
The tenzo does much more than a "cook" does. It is one of the most
demanding positions. The tenzo prepares meal plans for sesshin, makes
sure all the ingredients are present. The vast majority of food we eat
comes from takuhatsu. It means the vegetables are not prime choice, not
really "fresh" as sold in stores. It is the job of the tenzo to provide
nutritional meals from the donations received from takuhatsu.

yaza

Night sitting - the term for optional sitting after closing of the formal
schedule. The second zendô is open for yaza and in the summer time
outside yaza in the fire circle is an option. Recent sightings of bears
however made that option less attractive.

zanka
A temporary leave of absence of a monk/nun. In Japanese monasteries the
term is also used to mean returning to one's home temple after completing
monastic training.

zazen

Sitting zen - the meditation practiced in the zendô. zazen periods

last between 45 and 50 minutes. During zazen there is absolute
silence, there is no moving. There could be thirty people in the
zendô and still you would be able to hear a pin drop....

zendô
 The place where zazen is practiced. In Japanese monasteries the
monks/nuns live in the zendô. The zendô officers live in small
individual rooms which at times they share with their support staff.

Source: www.mbzc.org/glossary

Wall Quotes For a Zen Room

August 27, 2009 by
Filed under Wall Quotes
1 Comment
Wall quotes can provide an excellent finishing touch to a zen room – a
room dedicated to relaxation, yoga, tea or meditation. These kinds of rooms tend to be
minimalist in design and any quotes for walls placed there should also be of this nature. You’ll
find below some ideas as to what you can incorporate on your wall decor or elsewhere in the
room – a mandala design or a circular mantra placed in the center of the floor or ceiling can
provide a great effect, for example.
Meditative Wall Quotes

Meditation is the tongue of the soul and the language of our spirit (Jeremy Taylor)

If you want to find God, hang out in the space between your thoughts (Alan Cohen)

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. (Dalai Lama)

It is better to travel well than to arrive. (Buddha)

The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground. (Buddha)

Imagination is more important than knowledge. (Albert Einstein)

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. (Gandhi)

Using Special Characters For Wall Quotes

Characters from foreign languages can be particularly effective in enhancing the ambience of a
zen room. Just imagine Japanese calligraphy, Chinese and Tibetan characters, Sanskrit letters or
sacred symbols as wall quotes…
Zen Proverbs
The reverse side also has a reverse side
Move and the way will open
Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.
We cannot see our reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see. (Taoist
Proverb)
Teachers open the door… You enter by yourself. (Chinese Proverb)
Yoga Quotes
Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured. (B.K.S.
Iyengar)
Yoga is the cessation of mind. (Patanjali)
Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are. (Jason Crendell)
The state of severance of union with sorrow is known by the name of yoga. (Bhagavad Gita)
Tea Wall Quote Decals
Tea is more than an idealization of the form of drinking, it is a religion of the art of life. (Kakuzo
Okakura)
If a man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty (Japanese proverb)
I always fear that creation will expire before teatime. (Sydney Smith)
Find yourself a cup; the teapot is behind you. Now tell me about hundreds of things. (Saki)