Zen Terminology

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.

Buddha Hall:  Room used for services, lectures, and ceremonies.

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.

Chiden: This is the person who takes care of altars. The chiden cleans the incensors, makes sure that incense is available for service, and that altar candles are in working order.

Densho: The large bell used to announce services and lectures.

Doan: The person who rings the bells during service or zazen.

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.

Doan-ryo: The group of people who serve in temple roles, including the doan, the fukudo, the chiden, the jisha, and the kokyo.

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.

Doshi: The priest who officiates at zazen, service or ceremonies.

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 (Understanding)
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech
4. Right Conduct
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Meditation

Fukudo: In Soto Zen, this is the person who strikes the han (see definition of han). During sesshins (retreats) the Fukudo, also rings the large bell in the foyer to summon participants to the zendo.

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

Engawa: The wooden walkway surrounding the zendo.

Han: In Zen monasteries, a wooden board that is struck with a mallet to summon monastics to the zendo or other practice hall, as well as serving as a time-keeping signal during the monastic day. The pattern of strikes often includes three “roll downs”, a series of strikes gradually becoming accelerando and crescendo.

Hinayana: Literally: “Small Vehicle”. A pejorative term for one of the three main branches of Buddhism, the other two being Mahayana (great vehicle) and Vajrayana (“diamond” vehicle). Considered by adherents to be the “original” form of Buddhism. Many followers prefer to use the term Theravada, one branch of Buddhism under this category (Teaching of the Elders), to describe their beliefs.

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

Ino: The meditation hall (zendo) manager and supervisor of monk’s conduct, one of the seven positions of the senior staff.

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

Jikido: A person with a variety of support duties pertaining to monastic practice, such as lighting or extinguishing lamps, striking one of the secondary han (q.v.), and striking the work drum and bell before samu (manual labor practice).

Jiki-jitsu (also Jiko): The timekeeper for a sesshin or for any meditation gathering. Can be an incense carrier (see Jisha below). 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: In Soto Zen, the Jisha is the attendant to the Doshi during service. During daily service, the Jisha presents an incense stick for the Doshi’s offering at the altar an carries other items for Doshi, Abbot or Roshi.

Jundo: Broadly speaking, ‘jundo’ can mean any ritual circuit or circumambulation.

Jukai:  (lit. “bestowing Precepts”)Taking the Bodhisattva Precepts, as a central practice of the Way. A significant step marked by a ceremony of the same name(s), jukai signifies a serious commitment to the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts as a way of life.

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: (lit. “see nature”) A glimpse of one’s own nature and the true nature of reality. Some approaches to Zen practice strive to bring about kensho, though such experiences are not the “end” of practice. In fact, Eihei Dogen, the Japanese founder of Soto Zen, did not use this term to refer to an individual’s exclusive experience of the Way.

Kinhin: Walking meditation. Although its meditative aspect is of prime importance, kinhin also serves the purpose of exercising the legs after periods of zazen, helping to establish a useful rhythm of stillness and motion. Hands should be held in the shashu (q.v.) position. In Soto practice, the pace is quite slow.

Koan: (Ch. kung-an) Originally a “public record” of a Chinese legal case. A Ch’an or Zen story from the rich literary tradition that flourished in Sung Dynasty China. A student undertaking koan work is meant to focus all his/her energy on the hua-t’ou (J. hatto, lit. “head word”), a word or phrase from the story assigned by the teacher, both during sitting meditation and other times during the day and night. Koans as focal-points of zazen were originally assigned exclusively to lay practitioner students of the Sung Dynasty Lin-chi (J. Rinzai )teacher Ta-Hui Ts’ung K’ao, and over time became the favored meditation method of the Rinzai school of Zen. Apart from hua-t’ou practice, however, koans are a rich repository of Ch’an and Zen teaching, and are used as such by many in the tradition.

Kokyo: The ‘cantor’ or chant leader.

Kyosaku: A wooden stick, roughly a yard long and flattened at one end, sometimes carried by senior practitioners in the zendo during zazen. Sitters may request to be hit on the shoulders to help refresh the body and mind.

Mahayana: Literally: “Great Vehicle”. One of the three main branches of Buddhism, the other two being the old wisdom school (Pali: Theravada) and Vajrayana (“diamond” 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/Theravada. There is less emphasis placed on nirvana as 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.

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

Mudra: A position of the hands which is symbolic of a certain attitude or activity, such as teaching or protecting. Although mudra can refer to the whole body, in common usage this term most often refers to the hand positions chosen for statues of the Buddha, as well as those adopted by Buddhist practitioners in ritual settings and during meditation. Each hand position is symbolic of certain characteristics such as supreme wisdom or serenity.

Nirvana: Literally: cessation or extinction. Although nirvana can be seen as 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, or cyclic existence, i.e. the round of birth after birth. In the Mahayana tradition, the Bodhisattva postpones entry into nirvana until all sentient beings are saved.

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

Oryoki: (lit. “just enough”) 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. Silence is maintained except for the chanting of certain meal sutras. When done, the utensils and bowls are immediately washed (while still at one’s seat) and wrapped up again in the same specific way.

Practice Discussion: A formal or informal private interview with a practice leader or teacher.

Practice Leader: A person charged with the responsibility of helping to guide others in their practice.

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

Rinzai: (Ch. Lin-chi) One of the three schools of Zen still active in Japan, the others being Soto and Obaku. Rinzai, which like the other Zen traditions originated in China, was the first style 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 koan (i.e. hua-t’ou) work than the Soto tradition..

Rohatsu: (lit. “year-end”) A period of the calendar year approaching New Years, incorporating 8 December, a traditional date in East Asia marking Buddha’s Enlightenment. Often, a rohatsu sesshin (meditation retreat) early in December is held in celebration of this auspicious occasion.

Roshi: (lit. “old one”), a senior teacher in the Zen tradition. The term is often misunderstood in the West to mean “enlightened being”.

Ryo: A Japanese word meaning ‘chamber’ or ‘section’, for example, the doan ryo (‘instrument player section’) or the tenzo ryo (‘head cook section’).

Seiza: A sitting position where one kneels and sits back onto the heels. This is the standard position for morning service.

Samsara: In Buddhist thought this is the continuing cycle of birth, death and rebirth. All beings are trapped in this difficult 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).

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(q.v.), though it can be performed at any time. Samu can also be understood as 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 deep state of insight in which notions of duality, self and indeed all concepts drop away; the distinction between satori and kensho (q.v.) is a matter of some disagreement.

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

Sensei: Typically an ordained member of the clergy, but can also refer to a senior expert or teacher more generally.

Sesshin: (Literally: ‘gather or touch the mind’) An intensive meditation retreat usually lasting 1-7 days.

Shashu: A mudra (q.v.) used when standing or walking in formal practice situations. The left hand gently makes a fist around the thumb and is held against the body at the solar plexus (right below the breastbone); the right hand gently covers the left.

Shika: The guest manager at the temple.

Shikantaza:  (lit. “just hit sit”) A rigorous form of zazen where no mental aids such as counting the breath are depended upon. A state of great mental alertness is cultivated, any concepts or objects of thought being simply allowed to pass through the mind unhindered either by attachment or aversion. Some consider shikantaza, which is the “jewel in the crown” in the Soto tradition, to be the highest form of zazen.

Shoten: The person who sounds the densho to announce events in the Buddha Hall.

Shuso: The Head Monk of a practice period.

Sutra: A scripture regarded as having been spoken by the Buddha.

Soji: A brief period of mindful work; temple cleaning.

Soto: One of the three schools of Zen in Japan, the others being Rinzai (q.v.) and Obaku. In this tradition, brought from China in the 13th century by the monk Eihei Dogen, the primary emphasis placed on shikantaza (q.v.). Zen practiced this way is sometimes called mokusho, lit. “silent illumination”.

Sutra: A scripture whose words are either attributed to Buddha or regarded as equvalent, often written in combined prose and verse form. Some sutras spring from Indian originals, while others arose in the various indigenous Buddhist traditions in other parts of Asia.

Tan: The raised platform for sitting in the zendo.

Tanto: (lit. “head of the tan (q.v.)”) One of the senior leaders in a monastic community, the Tanto often functions as the Abbot’s second-in-command. The Tanto is usually an experienced senior practitioner who is familiar with the roles of the other leaders and thus is able to offer guidance if any confusion arises.

Tatami: Japanese-style, thick straw floor mats.

Teisho: (lit. “demonstrate the shout”). Commonly: a Dharma talk by a Zen teacher giving original commentary on a Zen story. 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 (q.v.). On occasion some teachers will invite a question and answer period following the teisho.

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

Tenzo: The Head Cook of the monastery, one of the seven positions of the senior staff.

Wake-up Bell:  About 30 minutes before morning zazen, a handbell is rung through the halls of the community, waking everyone.

Zabuton:  A large, rectangular mat made of fabric-covered cotton batting, usually placed under the zafu.

Zafu:  A round cushion used to support the spine during zazen. (q.v.)

Zazen: Seated still meditation, usually on a cushion on the floor or a tan (q.v.). 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. 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 group gathering devoted to zazen.

Zen:  Zen, or ch’an as it was called in China, is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that first arose in China in sixth and seventh centuries. Buddhism had earlier come to China from India, the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha. When Mahayana Buddhism was introduced it was influenced by the indigenous Chinese traditions of Confucianism and Taoism. Some scholars believe, for example, that it was from interaction with Taoism that zen developed its great caution towards using words and concepts to do more than point to the path to enlightenment. From China zen moved spread 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, images and gestures, Zen offers meditation (zazen) as the best way to discover the truth directly for oneself.

Zendo:  Zen room or hall. This is the main room, whether it be in a monastery, or center where zazen and other zen practices are observed.