Glossary

anfänger Beginner

ango A training period, typically 3 months.

Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit) The mythic/cosmic bodhisattva of compassion who hears the cries of the world. Japanese: Kannon.

Baul music - A form of Bengali folk music

Bodhidharma (Sanskrit) A semi-legendary Indian monk who became the first ancestor of Zen in China.

densho bell A hanging bell sounded to call students to the zendo

dharma (Sanskrit) The teaching, also the truth or reality that is taught, and the path to approach that truth.

Docho Roshi Formal way to address the abbot during a shosan ceremony.

dokusan A formal private practice or dharma-related interview with a teacher who has received dharma transmission.

Eiheiji In Fukui prefecture, one of the two head temples/training monasteries of Sōtō Zen (along with Sōjiji in Yokohama). Founded by Dōgen.

ensō A circle hand-drawn in one or two uninhibited brushstrokes to express Zen mind.

futon Japanese mat-style bed and bedding.

gasshō Buddhist gesture or greeting with the palms placed together.

goza Thin grass mats used for sitting or bowing.

hai Yes.

han (literally, "wood") A wooden plaque struck with a mallet, used to call monks to the zendo and for other ceremonial purposes.

Haramaki A Japanese sweater covering the abdomen.

Heart Sūtra (Hannya Shingyō) The shortest and most widely used of the Prajnā Pāramitā (Perfection of Wisdom) Sutras, especially by Mahayana Buddhists; a concise distillation of the teaching on emptiness.

kanji Chinese characters (ideographs) used in Japanese writing.

keisaku Rinzai word for kyōsaku

kinhin Walking zazen or meditation.

kyōsaku The stick used to hit drowsy monks on the shoulder.

kōan (literally, "public case") An exemplary story or dialogue to be studied or used as a meditation object worked on with a teacher.

koromo The long-sleeved monk's robe of Chinese origin worn over the kimono.

mochi Sweet glutinous rice cakes, especially popular at New Year.

mokugyō (literally, "wooden fish") A hollow drum carved from one piece of wood and struck with a padded mallet.

mudrā (Sanskrit) A hand position or physical gesture or posture that embodies an aspect of Buddhist teaching.

nyoi A small stick carried by a Zen master, serving as a symbol of their authority.

ōryōki Monk's stacked and cloth-wrapped eating bowls.

practice period (ango, "dwelling in peace") A time, usually three months, of intensive monastic training under the guidance of a teacher in a temple or monastery.

rakusu Bib-like vestment received in monk or lay ordination.

Rinzai Zen One of the two main sects of Zen, emphasizing vigorous dynamic style and systematic kōan study.

Rohatsu Sesshin A seven day sesshin commemorating the Buddha’s enlightenment in December.

rōshi "Venerable old teacher," respectful title for priest, Zen master.

samu The physical work during a training period.

sangha (Sanskrit) The Buddhist community. Originally the order of monks, later coming to include all practitioners.

sanzen The Rinzai word for dokusan

seiza Traditional Japanese kneeling position.

sensei Title used for teachers, doctors, and other respected persons.

sesshin A concentrated zazen retreat of one or more days, usually five or seven.

Shakkei A Japanese term referring to a garden’s “borrowed scenery"

shikunichi Four-and-nine days or days off.

Shobogenzo The title most commonly used for the collection of works written by the 13th-century Japanese Buddhist monk and founder of the Sōtō Zen school, Eihei Dōgen.

shosan ceremony Traditional Zen practice where students have a formal dialog with their teacher at the end of a practice period.

Shumucho Soto Zen Headquarters

shuso Head monk

Sokoji Japanese Zen temple where Suzuki was the abbot.

Sōtō Zen One of the two main sects of Zen, emphasizing "just sitting" or silent illumination meditation and its application to everyday activity.

sumi Traditional black ink used in calligraphy and painting.

sūtra (Sanskrit) Discourses of the Buddha, used for old Buddhist scriptures or scriptures to be chanted.

Tangaryo The required days of sitting meditation to formally enter a monastery.

tatami Japanese rigid straw floor mats approximately two inches thick and three by six feet in area.

tea ceremony (chanoyu) A formal, aesthetic method of preparing and serving tea, originating in Japan around the sixteenth century.

transmission The authorization to teach passed from teacher to disciple.

urushi tree Japanese plant from which fine laquer is made.

Wind Bell Newsletter of the San Francisco Zen Center

zabuton Square flat black cushions

zafu Zazen cushion, usually black and round.

zazen Zen meditation, sitting meditation.

zazenkai In Japan, a regular lay zazen group, usually meeting weekly or monthly.

Zen A school of Buddhism originating in China which emphasizes zazen, direct insight, and actual experience of Buddhist truth in everyday activity.

zendō A Zen meditation hall, zazen hall. Also used herein for sodō, which in Japanese training monasteries is also used for sleeping and eating.

zenji A title meaning Zen master.

Zenshinji The formal name for Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.

zōri Traditional Japanese sandals, thongs.