Bodhisattva: One who practices to help the other.

Bonno: (Jap. "troublesome-suffering") An illusion or attachment.

Dharma: The teachings of the Way, cosmic truth.

Deshimaru, Taisen: (1914-1982) Japanese Soto Zen Master who brought Zen to Europe and the West.

Dogen, Eihei: (1200-1253) Japanese Zen Master who brought Zen to Japan from China.

Dojo: (Jap. the place where one practices the Way). Where zazen, kinhin and ceremony are practiced.

Dokan: The ring of the Way. Endless practice.

Fukanzazengi: "Universal Recommendation for Zazen." A text by Dogen, sometimes chanted.

Fuse: A gift given without thought of return.

Gassho: A bowing gesture of respect for all existences.

Genmai: The traditional breakfast.

Gyoji: The repetition of the practice.

Hara: The body's center in Zen practice. An area a few inches below the navel, deep in the abdomen.

Hannya Shingyo: The Heart Sutra, chanted after morning and evening zazen.

Hishiryo: The samadhi of zazen, absolute thought, beyond thinking and non-thinking.

Katto: Complication, contradiction.

Keizan: (1267-1365) Great Japanese Soto Zen Master. Wrote Denkoroku and Zazen Yôjinki.

Kesa: The robe of zazen, of the transmission, of true Zen practice. Sewn by hand and received upon ordination.

Kinhin: Walking zazen.

Kontin: (Jap. "darkness-sinking"). A state of mind characterized by sleepiness, depression, lack of energy.

Kusen: Oral teaching given during zazen.

Kyosaku: "Wake-up" stick that strikes the shoulders as an aid in one's zazen practice; also the person who gives it.

Mahayana: "The Great Vehicle", Practice for the sake of others.

Mondo: Question-answer session between master and disciples.

Mudra: A hand posture.

Mushotoku: No profit, no goal, no object. The essential attitude of not running after, not grasping.

Muga: Non-ego.

Mujo: Impermance, constant change.

Naraka: A Hell-like dimension in Buddhist cosmology.

Rakusu: A small five-band kesa.

Roshi: Zen Master

Pai: A prostration. See "sampai".

Sampai: Three prostrations. Like gassho, a gesture of respect for all existences.

Samu: Zen work practice for the sangha.

Sangha: The community of those who practice the Way together.

Sanran: (Jap. "dispersed-confused") Over activity of the mind.

Seiza: A kneeling posture.

Sesshin: "To touch the mind." A Zen retreat.

Shiho: The transmission from master to disciple.

Shikantaza: (Jap. "Only sitting") A name for the zazen practice of concentration without object.

Shusso: Chief assistant to the Master.

Soto: One of the chief schools of Zen Buddhism.

Tenzo: Temple cook.

Teisho: Oral teaching given outside of zazen time.

Unsui: "Clouds and water." A term for Zen monks.

Zafu: Sitting cushion for zazen.

Zazen: Sitting Zen practice.

Zenji: A title given to the head of Eihei-ji or Soji-ji, the two chief training temples in Japanese Soto Zen Buddhism.