Maximumbliss - Zen Dictionary


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ANANDA	One of Buddha's ten important disciples. He was the Buddha's favourite and also the his personal attendant.
ANGO	An intensive practice period, usually of three months duration, devoted to meditation, study, and communal work.
ANJA	The person who serves as the assistant to the jisha.
AVALOKITESVARA BODHISATTVA (J: KANNON)	One of the three principal bodhisattvas, Avalokitesvara is the personification of great compassion and is usually portrayed in female form.
BAI	A striker for the gongs used during service or zazen.
BODHI	literally means "awakened". Sometimes referred to as the wisdom attained from the experience of enlightenment.
BODHI DAY	December 8th, the day upon which the Buddha had his great realization after a week of meditation under the Bodhi Tree.
BODHIDHARMA	The Indian monk that brought Buddhism to China in the late 5th or early sixth century.
BODHISATTVA	Refers to an individual, who through many lives, vows to attain Buddhahood and constantly helps others to attain the same level of awakening.
BUDDHA	1. Literally means "awakened one". A person who has achieved enlightenment and has seen completely to the source of all dharmas so that he is free of every kind of craving. A Buddha has no reflection. He and the world are simultaneous. 2. The Buddha that was born in 563 B.C. Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Shakyamuni, meaning "the silent sage". He is known as the Buddha of our age. Without instruction, he came to awakening through his endless vow of many lifetimes to relinquish the source of suffering.
BUDDHA-DHARMA	The all inclusive term in which all of the teachings of the Buddha fall under.
BUDDHAHOOD	The state a Buddha attains.
BUDDHA-NATURE	The basic essence of purity living with all organisms. Zen practice reveals this intrinsic nature. It is not something that requires "seeking"; rather it is always with us.
BUJI-ZEN	False zen practice. Those who rationalize "since Buddha-Nature is intrinsically with us, there is no need to practice Zazen", neglecting all the effort needed to overthrow delusion.
CHIDEN	The person responsible for the care and maintenance of the Center's altars and ceremonial items.
DAIKAN ENO	The Sixth Patriarch of Zen, whose school of "Sudden Enlightenment" became the mainstream of Zen practice and thought. All Zen lineages descend from him.
DAIOSHO	Lit. “Great Priest,” the honorary title given to a priest at a later stage of his life.
DAISAN	Private interview with a sensei.
DAISHI	Literally means "great master". A very honorable title given to a great Zen Master many years after death.
DELUSION	Living within the conceptual mind. Living within the cycle of continuous thought.
DENNAN	Altar attendant; passes out Sutra books and assists the Chiden with altar setup.
DENSHO	Name of the large hanging bell in the front gaitan.
DHARANI	A short Buddhist chant, often untranslatable, which is recited during services as an invocation to encourage a certain attitude of mind.
DHARMA	The undefineable everyting. The basis of life itself. Energy.
DOAN	Name of a member of the ryo responsible for the playing of various bells and drums during service. May also refer specifically to the person who plays the large Keisu.
DOGEN ZENJI	The founder of the Soto School of Zen in Japan. He also founded Eihei-ji, the principal Soto training monastery in Japan, and wrote the Shobogenzo, a pivotal Soto text.
DOKUSAN	A one on one meeting with a roshi. Deemed as a being very ceremonial
DZOGCHEN	Literally means "great perfection". Teaching taught by Tibetan Buddhism in which all practioners strive to realize.
EGO	A false sense of separateness created by living within delusion.
EIGHTFOLD PATH	The fourth Noble Truth given by the Buddha as the way to end suffering. The Eightfold Path consists of: right views, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and samadhi.
EKO	A dedication. During service the eko comes after the recited text.
FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS	One of the Buddha's first teachings concerning life and the way of Buddhism. It states that: 1) life is suffering (dukkha); 2) suffering has a cause; 3) there is a way to end the cause of suffering; and 4) the way to do this is to follow the Eight-fold Path.
FUDOMYO	The Immovable One; he represents the will to enlightenment amidst greed, hate, and delusion.
FUKUETSU	The assistant Ino (the one who leads services when the Ino is absent).
FUSATSU	The ceremony, usually held twice a month, for the renewal of vows taken at Jukai. Based on the centuries-old ceremony of Upasatha (twice-monthly recital of the precepts), fusatsu allows us to both renew our vows and rededicate ourselves to practice. It consists of bowing, reciting the Gatha of Atonement for one's evil karma, vowing to be one with the Past Seven Buddhas, reciting the Four Great Vows, and the Adoration of the Three Treasures.
FUSHINZAMU	Each day for a set time, everybody sets aside their regular jobs and cleans the Center's grounds and buildings. An integral part of practice, Fushinzamu is a wonderful opportunity to express our zazen as samu and group practice. It is also a chance to work with people who would normally have different jobs, and thus brings the Sangha closer together.
GAITAN	The entry areas immediately outside of the zendo. In the case of Hazy Moon, the landing at the head of the stairs.
GAKKI	Memorial Service for well-known Masters in our lineage.
GASSHO	Mudra of placing the two palms together.
GATHA	A verse of four or more lines. Different Gathas are chanted during the day at monasteries and Zen centers: before talks, during meals, etc.
GENJO-KOAN	"Life is Enlightenment". The great master Dogen Zenji's most famous chapter of his book, Shobo-genzo.
GODO	A Godo is a building used as a second zendo and as a place for seminars.
HAISHIKI	The mat at which the officiant stands and does his bows during services.
HAKAMA	The black skirt-like garment worn both by men and women during zazen.
HAKO	The incense box brought in by the Jiko during services.
HAKUIN ZENJI	The modern Patriarch of Japanese "Rinzai" Zen, Hakuin Zenji systematized Koan study into the form by which it is known today. All modern Rinzai Masters trace their lineage through him.
HAN	Hanging wooden block on which a mallet is struck to announce the time for zazen.
HANAMATSURI	A festival celebrating the Buddha's birthday. Observed on April 8th.
HARA	The region in the lower abdomen that is the seat of awareness in zazen. It is located approximately two inches below the navel.
HIGAN	The services held to celebrate the spring and autumn equinoxes.
HINAYANA	The "smaller vehicle" of Buddhism. Based on the Pali canon (Tripitaka), the emphasis is on individual enlightenment only. Dominant tradition in Southeast Asia.
HOSAN	(lit. no dokusan) - Means no scheduled activities (a day off).
HOSSEN	A ceremony at the end of Ango, in which the Shuso (Head Monk or Trainee) holds Dharma Combat with the trainees and others.
HOSSU	Originally a fly-whisk, the hossu is now used by the officiant during special services.
IHAI	A memorial tablet with the deceased's name and date of death. It is placed on the altar during memorial services for that person.
INKIN	Small handbell struck with a metal beater.
INO	One of the head positions in the zendo, the Ino is the leader of the services being held there.
INRYO	Abbot’s quarters.
JAKUGO	A phrase which a student presents to this teacher during dokusan to sum up his understanding of a Koan.
JIKIDO	The time-keeper for the zendo.
JIKO	The assistant to the jisha for zendo activities. The Jiko brings the hako in and out of the zendo during services.
JISHA	The attendant of a teacher, the Jisha works with the teacher during interviews (dokusan, daisan, etc.) and also attends to the teacher's personal needs.
JIZO BODHISATTVA (BOSATSU)	One of the major bodhisattvas, Jizo is the protector of children and beings suffering in hell
JORIKI	Literally means "power of mind". The long term strength that is carried through everyday life by the raising of concentration. With strong joriki, one can direct the mind in any direction, at any time.
JUBAN	The half-kimono undergarment worn under kimono or robe.
JUKAI	The ceremony at which one receives the Precepts and becomes a lay Buddhist. This ceremony both acknowledges who we are and our commitment to realize and actualize our self. Through Jukai, one becomes a member of the Buddhist family and establish a special connection between the preceptor and oneself. The ceremony is begun with nine bows: three each to Manjusri Bodhisattva, one's parents, and the preceptor (Sensei). The student then receives the Sixteen Precepts (that is, the Three Treasures, the Three Pure Precepts, and the Ten Grave Precepts). After vowing to maintain them, the student then receives a Dharma (Buddhist) name, rakusu, and lineage chart, and receives greetings from everyone present (jahai). Jukai is also called Zaike Tokudo or "remaining-at-home-ordination."
JUNKO	Walking with the waking stick (kyosaku).
JUNRYO	Ceremony of offering incense at home altars.
KAAN	Assistant to the shika (guest-master).
KAISANDO	Founder’s shrine room.
KANSHO	The bell hit by the jikido to signal the beginning and end of zazen periods.
KARMA	Cause and Effect. From an absolute standpoint, karma is the circumstance of the moment. Relatively, it is the endless chain of cause and effect that defines the future events of an individuals life.
KEISU	A large gong used during services.
KEIZAN ZENJI	The Fourth Patriarch of the Soto School in Japan. Keizan Zenji was largely responsible for the spread of Soto Zen and noted for his meticulous instructions regarding all aspects of monastic life.
KENSHO	The experience of seeing ones true nature. Rising to the surface and being fully awake.
KENTAN	Checking rounds done before dawn zazen (and before sesshin) by the most senior teacher present.
KESA	The outer-most monk's robe which is worn over one shoulder by monks and nuns. It goes over the koromo. It originated in India and is symbolic of the Buddha's robes. It is received during the shukke tokudo ceremony.
KIMONO	The undergarment worn beneath robes (monk or lay).
KINHIN	Walking zazen done between periods of seated zazen.
KOAN	A brief anecdote recording an exchange between master and disciple or a master's enlightenment experience. Koans are used to bring a student to realization or to help clarify his enlightenment. At this center, the implication is that we study ourselves by studying koans.
KOKONOHAI	Ceremony of leaving the temple.
KORO	Incense bowl.
KOROMO	The outer full, black robe worn by monks and nuns during services and zazen. This robe originated in China.
KOTSU	Short, wooden stick used by senior officiants during service.
KYOSAKU	Literally, "waking stick"; a wooden stick used to encourage and wake up people during zazen. At this center it is not used if it is not asked for.
MAHAYANA	The "greater" vehicle of Buddhism, Mahayana developed in India and spread to China, Japan, and Korea. It emphasizes compassion and the bodhisattva ideal of saving all sentient beings. It originated as a lay movement.
MAKYO	Illusions, fantasies, or hallucinations that sometimes arise during zazen; by continuing to sit, these makyo are dispelled.
MANJUSRI BODHISATTVA (MONJU)	One of the three principal bodhisattvas, Manjusri is the personification of wisdom and is often depicted riding a lion. (The lion symbolizes strength and bravery.)
MANTRA	A short scripture, similar to a dharani, which is chanted to aid concentration, or to express the essence of a sutra.
MOKUGYO	(J. Fish) wooden drum used to keep the beat while chanting. It is traditionally shaped like a fish.
MUDRA	Symbolic hand positions or gestures.
NENJU	A ceremony at the end of the week thanking the teacher for his teaching and declaring the beginning of Hosan.
NIRVANA	The final liberation where nothing else could be more pure. Nirvana has no conditions. No cause, no effect.
NIRVANA DAY	February 15th, the day upon which the Buddha left this life and passed into Parinirvana (Nirvana after life).
NYOI	A short wooden staff symbolizing the nyoi jewel, which is capable of removing all suffering. A symbol for the Three Treasures.
NYUDONOHAI	Trainee entering ceremony held in the zendo after a trainee has done the one-day sitting.
OBI	The belt-like garment used to hold kimonos closed and in place under robes.
O-BON	Festival held in summer to commemorate and transfer merit to one's ancestors, especially those recently departed. This festival is accompanied by a service (segaki) and offerings. Bon is from the Sanscrit word, "Ullambara" (being hung upside down) and symbolizes the suffering of all beings. This service is to relieve that sufffering.
ORYOKI	O = to respond; ryo = capacity; ki = container. Oryoki symbolizes our life as the container which fully responds to its needs. The term "oryoki" is most often used to refer to the nested set of eating bowls which we use during formal meals in the zendo. Specifically it is the first (Buddha bowl) bowl.
OSHO	Priest. The first stage of priesthood, obtained after having shiho.
PRACTICE	The term may be used in one way to refer to one's continued zazen (i.e., one's "practice") or understood in a broader sense to include any and all aspects of one's life as practice.
PRECEPTS	Teachings regarding personal conduct, which are both ethical guidelines and, more broadly, aspects of reality itself. At both jukai and tokudo ceremonies, sixteen precepts (kai) are received.
RAKUSU	The smallest of the Buddhist robes, the rakusu is made of five strips of cloth which are sewn together and suspended from the neck by a cloth halter. It is worn by monks, nuns, and lay persons. It is received during the jukai ceremony.
ROSHI	literally means "venerable teacher". A rarely received title in which the one who receives it has beed widely recognized as a Master of the Dharma.
RYO	The designation for a group of people who all serve one particular function in the zendo (e.g., Doan-ryo: all those who function as doans during service).
RYOBAN	The positions to the east and west of the altar filled by the administrative and training officials during services and ceremonies.
SADDHARMA PUNDARIKA SUTRA (LOTUS SUTRA: J: MYOHO RENGE KYO)	A presentation of Buddha's teaching, in verse and prose, of the one vehicle and all beings being able to attain perfect enlightenment. One of the most widely read Buddhist texts.
SAMADHI	Even absorbtion. A state of absorbtion attained through intense concentration. Once concentration has reached a certain level in meditation, rather than the absorbtion leaving the persons everyday life, it maintains and carries itself.
SAMANTABHADRA BODHISATTVA (J: FUGEN)	One of the three principal bodhisattvas, Samantabhadra is associated with practice and active love.
SAMBO	Platform shaped tray used to carry different ritual items.
SAMU	Communal work done at the Center. Samu is working zazen.
SANGEMON	The gatha of repentance chanted during fusatsu.
SAYUMONJUN	Standing bows done after the morning meal; done to the left, right, and center.
SENSEI	Lit. “one who goes before on the path.“ A certified Teacher.
SESSHIN	An intensive meditation retreat lasting from two to ten days. Sesshin offers the best opportunity for deep, intense practice, and should be approached with an attitude of total willingness to give one's all.
SETSU	The scraper (spatula) used to wipe and clean the eating bowls during formal meals. In Japan a cloth-tipped stick is used.
SEVENTY-TWO LABORS	The traditional number of positions (jobs) in a Japanese monastery.
SHASHU	Hand position used when walking or standing in the zendo (left hand in a fist, thumb tucked in and covered by the right hand; both are placed against the solar plexus).
SHIHO (TRANSMISSION)	The week-long ceremony in which an accomplished student becomes a Dharma successor to a master, and is recognized by him/her as a Teacher (Sensei). This is a Soto sect term.
SHIKANTAZA	The purest form of sitting meditation literally meaning “just sitting.” According to Dogen Zenji, it is a state of brightly alert attention that is free of thought, directed to no object, and attached to no particular content.
SHOJI	Attendant to Manjusri (image on the zendo altar); makes offering during formal meals.
SHOKEI	Small keisu (gong).
SHOKEN NO HAI	Shoken = to meet individually; hai = bowing. This ceremony is a formal expression of the relationship that the teacher and student have entered into.
SHOKI	The head monk's assistant for Ango.
SHOSAN	A public Dharma dialogue presented in a ritualized, ceremonial style. The Shosanshi (Shosan leader, either Teacher or a senior monk) gives a short Dharma talk and then holds dialogue with those attending the event. These students come up one at a time and kneel facing the Shosanshi. They either ask a question or make a comment on the opening talk given by the Shosanshi; dialogue ensues. Traditionally, the shosan form was the only means for study with a teacher; only in later Zen history did private study develop. Shosan is generally held once a month during intensive training periods and may or may not be held at other times
SHOSU	A service position: the person who plays the densho and sometimes the han.
SHUKKE TOKUDO	see Tokudo.
SHUSO	The head monk for Ango.
SHUSO HOSSEN	Ceremony of testing the Shuso’s understanding (aka Dharma Combat).
SIX PARAMITAS	The perfections practiced by the bodhisattva. They are prajna (wisdom), dana (giving), virya (effort), dhyana (meditation), kshanti (patience), and sila (kai or precepts).
SIX REALMS	The different states of existence (heavenly beings, human, animal, hungry ghosts, fighting spirits, hell-dwellers) that symbolize different aspects of our -life.
SIX TASTES	Bitter, sour, sweet, hot, salty, and bland.
SOGEI	The person who rings the hand-bell (inkan) to lead the officiant in and out of the zendo. The Sogei is one of the three attendants.
SUTRA	A dialogue or sermon attributed to the Buddha. The sutras and their commentaries form one-third of the Buddhist Canon. (The other two parts are the Shastras and Abhidharma.)
TABI	White sock-like garments worm by monks, nuns, and other seniors for gakki and other special services.
TAN	Raised platform seats in the zendo upon which people sit for zazen.
TANTO	The person in charge of the zendo.
TATAMI	Straw mats upon which one places a zabuton and zafu.
TEISHO	A talk given by a roshi, usually on a koan or other Zen text. Teisho manifests the "mind" or living spirit (as opposed to an intellectual explanation) and should be grasped by the student with the body-mind. Dharma Talks are given by a sensei, assistant teacher, or special guests, and can be either very similar to teisho or a more general presentation on some aspect of Buddhism.
TEN VIRTUES	Virtues coming from the food we eat. These ten are physical strength, substance, long life and pleasure, maintaining training, cleansing the body, settling the mind, satisfying hunger and thirst, and improving health.
TENKEI DENSON	One of the most important modern Soto Zen masters, he is responsible for the reformation of the Soto School. He is also one of the major commentators on Dogen Zenji's writings.
TENZO	Person in charge of the kitchen at a monastery or Zen center.
THREE WORLDS	(a) The worlds of desire, form, and formlessness; or b) The past, present, and future.
TOKUDO	The ceremony at which one becomes a monk or nun. At this ceremony, the prospective monk or nun renews his or her vows and receives the robes and bowls.
UNSUI (LIT., CLOUDS AND WATER)	A term used to refer to monks who have not yet had shiho.
VAJRAYANA	The Diamond Vehicle, a form of Buddhism developed in Tibet. It emphasizes the guru-disciple relationship.
ZABUTON	Flat, black mat upon which a zafu is placed.
ZAFU (LIT. SITTING CUSHION)	Round, black cushion used for zazen.
ZAGU	Foldable cloth mat upon which monks and nuns do their bows.
ZAIKE TOKUDO	see Jukai.
ZAZEN	literally means "sitting absorbtion". The most concentrative meditational form of zen practice. Zazen is the fastest means to awakening
ZAZENKAI	One-day retreat.
ZENDO	Meditation hall.
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