Glossary

One of the two main schools of Zen still active in Japan, the other being Sōtō. Rinzai, which originated in…

Deep bows or prostrations. Normally done in a set of three and towards the altar, these are bows that lead…

A Japanese word meaning "chamber" or "section," for example, the doan ryo ("instrument player section") or the tenzo ryo ("head…

A small version of Buddha’s patched robe, suspended from cloth straps and worn around the neck. Usually, each initiate sews…

A person who has been shuso and who is empowered to hold practice discussions and give dharma talks.

Practice discussion is a less formal meeting with a dharma mentor than dokusan. Although there is no standard length of…

This has come to mean a certain kind of formal, ritualized eating, but the word oryoki actually refers to the…

From the Sanskrit “Kashaya,” a rectangular, patched robe made and worn as monks have done since the Buddha’s time. It…

(Literally: "cessation or extinction.") Although nirvana is the ultimate goal of many Buddhists, it should never be confused with the…

A ritual position of the body which is symbolic of a certain attitude or activity, such as teaching or protecting.…

A short Zen dialogue between master and student, usually from the past. The student asks a question that is troubling…

(Literally: "wooden fish.") A traditional red lacquered Japanese temple instrument played during services to set the pace or “heartbeat” of…

Awareness; remembering that all things are interrelated; living in the present moment. It would be difficult to overemphasize the importance…

Literally: “Great Vehicle.” One of the three main branches of Buddhism, the other two being Hinayana (small vehicle) and Vajrayana…

A wooden stick, roughly a yard long and flattened at one end, sometimes carried by senior practitioners in the zendo…

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

Originally: a public record or case. A Zen paradox, question, or episode from the past that defies logical explanation. Koans…

An enlightenment or awakening experience. While impossible to describe in words, a kensho experience reportedly gives one a glimpse of…

Walking meditation. Although its meditative aspect is of prime importance, kinhin also serves the purpose of moving one’s legs after…

The Buddhist doctrine of cause and effect. The effect of an action taken today (or the effect of a thought…

The Founder’s Hall, which is the memorial building or shrine for the founder of a temple. At AZC the kaisando…

Broadly speaking, "jundo" can mean any ritual circuit or circumambulation. At AZC each morning, the Doshi begins the jundo at…

Jukai is "giving and receiving the Precepts," a ceremony in which lay students vow to follow and express the Sixteen…

The ceremonial attendant to an Abbot.

The attendant who carries incense for the Doshi.

One of the core positions of temple practice leadership, the Ino is the zendo (meditation hall) leader responsible for training…

A portable bell. Usually, it has a lacquered wooden handle and a drape of material that covers the user's hand.…

(Literally: “small vehicle.") One of the three main branches of Buddhism, the other two being Mahayana (great vehicle), and Vajrayana…

In Zen monasteries, a wooden board struck by the fukudo with a mallet announcing sunrise, sunset, and the end of…

A short sutra. As an example, here is a meal gatha often chanted before eating: "We venerate the three treasures and…