Words and Language
We are a Soto Zen temple. Soto Zen developed in Japan and came to America from Japan, and as a result, our practice uses many Japanese terms. Japanese Zen was strongly influenced by Chinese Zen, so at times the language of our chants is a blend of Chinese and Japanese. Buddhism originated in India, so our practice also includes words from Sanskrit or Pali. But there is no need to be intimidated by all the foreign-sounding words; with time and practice, they will become more familiar. In the meantime, if you hear something you don’t understand, the following list of terms might be helpful.
Densho: The heavy temple bell hanging from the wall in NZC’s community room. Used to signal the start of services.
Doan: The person who leads the sangha in liturgy by sounding bells and/or a drum and chanting dedications after sutra chanting.
Dokusan: A private interview between a student and teacher. These one-to-one meetings are generally offered during retreats, or at other times through appointment with the teacher.
Doshi: The person who leads services, usually a priest.
Gassho: A hand gesture made by pressing the hands together, palm to palm in front of the face. The gesture is made as a greeting, in gratitude, to make a request, or as part of ritual practice.
Kinhin: Walking meditation, done slowly between periods of sitting meditation, or zazen.
Han: A wooden block that is hit with a mallet to signal that zazen is about to begin. It may also be struck to signal gatherings for work periods and similar events.
Ino: A senior practitioner who has primary responsibility for formal Zendo practice, working closely with the priest or guiding teacher. Responsibilities include organizing services, ceremonies, and retreats; managing the assignment of service positions; and training sangha members for service positions. The Ino also helps lead sesshins and other retreats.
Jisha: Assists the doshi, or service leader, by carrying and lighting incense and other offerings and by performing a variety of other acts for the doshi as well.
Oryoki: A formal way of serving and eating communal meals in meditation retreats, using a set of bowls and utensils kept together in a wrapping cloth. It transforms mealtime into an opportunity for practice, demonstrating mindfulness, awareness, respect, and gratitude for the food and the Buddha.
Rakusu: The short, bib-like cloth worn by sangha members who have received the Buddhist precepts. A miniature version of a traditional Buddhist robe, the rakusu is sewn and presented as part of a months-long course of study that culminates in a ceremony called jukai.
Sangha: The community of Buddhist practitioners. Can refer to people who come to NZC to practice together but can be expanded to include all Buddhists everywhere, and even to all beings.
Sesshin: A multi-day silent meditation retreat, extending anywhere from (two to seven days). It generally includes multiple periods of sitting and walking meditation; dharma talks; traditional oryoki meals; Zen chanting liturgy; temple care (mindful work practice); body practice (e.g. yoga); rest breaks; and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the teacher.
Shashu: A hand gesture made by making a fist around the thumb with the left hand and holding it against the body at the solar plexus (right below the breastbone); the right hand gently covers the left. Shashu is used when standing or walking in formal practice situations, including when approaching and entering the zendo.
Shoten: The person who lights the altar for service and sounds the densho for the start of service.
Sutra: Buddhist texts of varying lengths and forms, including the fairly short forms that we chant as part of our liturgy. The chant sutras are available in a folder just outside the zendo and in PDF format on our website.
Timekeeper: The person who signals the sangha to move into the zendo by striking the han ten minutes and five minutes before the start of zazen. They hit the bell three times to begin the sitting period, signal the transition from zazen to kinhin by hitting the bell twice, indicate the end of kinhin by ringing a small bell, and signal the end of zazen with one bell.
Zabuton: The rectangular mat that is the base cushion for sitting zazen.
Zafu: The round cushion that sits on top of the zabuton for zazen.
Zazen: The form of sitting meditation that we do as part of our Soto Zen practice.
Zazenkai: A day-long silent retreat that includes zazen, a mindful work period, lunch, and dokusan (a meeting with the teacher). Zazen periods last 30 or 35 minutes and are broken up by kinhin, or walking meditation, in between. Great for beginners as well as experienced practitioners; a good entryway into participation in full sesshins.
Zendo: The meditation hall where the altar and meditation cushions are located; where we sit zazen.