Glossary

Zen room or hall. This is the main room, whether it be in a monastery, retreat center, or residential home,…

Zen, or ch’an as it was originally called, is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that first appeared in China in…

A zazenkai (座禅会), literally meaning "to come together for meditation," is a Zen Buddhist retreat that is usually less intensive and of…

“Total awareness in an upright posture,”or seated meditation, usually on a cushion on the floor. Unlike meditation in other spiritual…

A round cushion used for zazen.

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

The celebration of the Buddha’s birth, which traditionally is set in May on the day of the full moon. This…

The head cook for a monastery or sesshin. Traditionally the role of tenzo was a position of high honor in…

(Literally: "presentation of the shout.") Commonly: a talk by a Zen teacher, a sensei, or roshi. The talk is not…

Japanese-style, thick straw floor mats.

The head of practice of a monastery or temple, usually second in command to the Abbot or Head Teacher. The…

A raised platform for sitting in the zendo.

A Buddhist canon or scripture regarded as having been spoken by the Buddha. The chanting of sutras can at times…

One of the two main schools of Zen in Japan, the other being Rinzai. The tendency towards caution (one could…

A brief period of mindful work; temple cleaning.

The head student for a practice period.

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

“Just sitting.” An intense form of zazen where no mental aids such as counting the breath are used. A state…

A mudra used when standing or walking in formal practice situations. The fingers of the left hand gently make a…

(Literally: "gather or touch the mind.") An intensive meditation retreat usually lasting three, five, or seven days. The word "retreat"…

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

A recognized teacher of Zen. The title sensei, like the title, roshi, is traditionally positioned after the teacher’s name rather…

A sitting position where one kneels and sits back onto the heels. This is the standard position for longer, seated…

A very deep state of meditation in which notions of duality, self, and indeed all concepts drop away. Profound satori…

Zen family, community, or group practicing together. In its largest sense, all living beings make up our sangha, though more…

Work Practice. This is work, usually physical, done in a mindful and aware manner. Tasks should be carried out in…

In Buddhist thought this is the continuing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. All beings are trapped in this unpleasant…

Venerable master of Zen. A roshi can be a man or a woman, a monk or a layperson. Although the…

The day set aside to commemorate the enlightenment of the Buddha, which traditionally is celebrated on the eighth of December.…