Dictionary of Zen Buddhism
Sitting in zazen, the
Buddha awakened to the profound reality of all things (Buddha means “the
awakened one”). All his teaching comes from the clarity of his awakened
viewpoint. We do not practice zazen to obtain awakening because zazen is itself
awakening. Zazen reveals our true nature, Buddha-nature. Awakening is the
natural condition of the mind.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Bodhisattva
an awakened being. Through his practice and awakening, the bodhisattva naturally helps all existences. Jukai, the bodhisattva ordination, usually for lay people, marks the beginning of the Buddha-way.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Dharma
The Law, the directing principle of the Universe, the reality as it is in its totality. The Universe is one; all existences have the same nature; when all existences follow the Universal Law, everything is in balance and harmony; everything is Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha and the Zen masters taught only this; this is why Dharma also means, the Teaching.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Do
The Way. It is the Buddha-dharma. It is without beginning and end and without a goal. Progress on the Way is in itself realization.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Dojo
The dojo is not an ordinary place; it is the room where we practice zazen. When we enter the dojo, we naturally let go of all personal preoccupations and concentrate on the way we walk, sit etc. The mind is open and present to the reality of the moment.
Fuse
This is the selfless gift that expects nothing in return. Fuse is one of the six paramitas, the six perfections of wisdom. The whole Universe works in the mode of fuse: giving-receiving. We can give material goods, but also one’s time, energy, concentration, etc. Spreading the teaching is also a gift.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Gasho
This is a gesture of respect, gratitude and veneration. The palms of the hands are placed together in front of the face, the forearms horizontal.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Hishiryo
Consciousness during zazen, which does not behave like the intellect. During zazen, thoughts appear and disappear naturally. If we let this process happen freely, without giving form to thought, without wanting to flee from them, the intellect becomes peaceful by itself and hishiryo consciousness appears, beyond thinking and non-thinking; it is absolute consciousness. It is body-mind thinking in unity with the whole universe. Hishiryo is inexpressible; it cannot be explained, but we can experience it in zazen, naturally and unconsciously.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Kesa
The kesa is the garment of Buddha; it is the garment of awakening transmitted from master to disciple and worn by monks. Originally, it was a collection of old pieces of cloth, washed, dyed and carefully sewn together in the traditional way.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
This is the concentration of zazen in the act of walking. We practice kin-hin in the dojo between two periods of zazen. The mind concentrates on the slow walk, each step taken in coordination with the breathing.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Kusen
Spoken teaching during zazen
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Mondo
Teaching in the dojo in the form of a question from the disciple and an answer from the master.
Samu
This is work done for the community, mushotoku. Samu is one of the aspects of the practice; it is the mind of zazen in every act of daily life: serving others, preparing food, cleaning, working in the vegetable garden, etc.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Sangha
This is the community of monks and nuns and, by extension in the West, ordained lay people, and all those practicing together. The same term designates a group of practitioners who practice with a master in a temple. It also means, on a larger scale, the entire group of practitioners in Sôtô Zen (or Buddhism). When we are ordained a bodhisattva, we take refuge in the Three
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Sesshin
Retreat during a practice session lasting from 2 to 9 days. Through forgetting all our habitual pre-occupations, we can dive deeply into the practice. Zazen and all our everyday actions are emphasized: zazen, ceremony, samu and study. This is how our true, original mind manifests, the Buddha-nature that all existences in the Universe share.
Shikantaza
Only sitting. Committing oneself completely to zazen, mind-body in unity, giving up everything, dropping the idea of “me”, just sitting, nothing else. A single existence in the universe, “a single flame on a zafu.”
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Skanda
The five skanda, the aggregates that make up life, the workings of the body and mind of human beings. Shiki, matter, form; jû, perceptions from the sense organs; sô, sensations; gyô, action; shiki, personal consciousness.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Soto Zen
Originally, one of the Chinese Chan (Zen) schools, the name coming from masters Tozan Ryokai and Sozan Hojaku (IX century). In the XIII century, Master Dogen returned to Japan from China and transmitted the Sôtô lineage. He founded the principles of what would become the Sôtô
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Treasure
Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Teisho
Spoken teaching in the form of a lecture given by the master.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Zafu
A round cushion stuffed with kapok (silky fibre from the silk-cotton tree) that enables one, during zazen, to tilt the pelvis forward, push the ground with the knees, and to stretch the spine upwards.
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen)
Zazen
Za, seated; Zen, meditation. Zazen is
itself awakening. It is the direct experience of ultimate reality. Through the
practice of concentration (Samadhi), the intellect becomes calm, the notion of
“I” fades, body and mind are dropped, and we return unconsciously to our true
nature, Buddha-nature, in unity with all existences and the whole cosmos.
Buddha awakened while sitting in zazen. All his teaching, “Buddhism”, comes
from this living experience.
Dictionary of Tea Ceremony
Chabana
It is the simple but elegant style of
flower arranging for Japanese Tea Ceremony.
(Source : The book of tea by Kakuzo Okakura, Japan :Kodansha International,1991,c1989)
Chanoyu
The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the
ceremonial preparation and presentation of tea.
Chaji
A chaji is a much
more formal gathering, usually including a full-course Kaiseki meal followed by
confections, Koicha (thick tea) and thin tea. A chaji can last up to four hours.
Chakai
A chakai is a
relatively simple course of hospitality that includes confections, Usucha (thin
tea) and perhaps a light meal.
Chakin
A small rectangular white linen or hemp cloth mainly used to wipe the tea
bowl.
Chasen
Tea whisk, it is the implement used to mix the powdered tea with
the hot water. Tea whisks are carved from a single piece of bamboo, it quickly
become worn and damaged with use, and the host should use a new one when
holding a chakai or chaji.
Chashaku
Tea scoops, is generally are carved
from a single piece of bamboo. They are used to scoop tea from the tea caddy
into the tea bowl. Larger scoops are used to transfer tea into the tea caddy in
the preparation area, but guests will not see this.
Chashitsu
Teahouse, a purpose-built room
designed for the wabi style of
tea.
(Source : Tea culture of Japan /Sadako Ohki, New Haven :Yale University Art Gallery,2009)
Chawan
Tea bowls, are available in a wide
range of sizes and styles, and different styles are used for thick and thin
tea. Shallow bowls, which allow the tea to cool rapidly, are used in summer;
deep bowls are used in winter.
Ichi-go ichi-e
It is a Japanese term that describes a
cultural concept often linked with famed tea master, Sen No Rikyu. The term is
often translated as "for this time only," "never again," or
"one chance in a lifetime." Ichi-go ichi-e is linked with Zen
Buddhism and concepts of transience. The term is particularly associated with
theJapanese tea ceremony, and is often brushed onto scrolls, which are hung in
the tearoom. In the context of tea ceremony, ichi-go ichi-e reminds
participants that each tea meeting is unique.
(Source : The book of tea by Kakuzo Okakura, Japan :Kodansha International,1991,c1989)
Kaiseki
It is a meal served in the context of a
formal tea function.
(Source : Tea culture of Japan /Sadako Ohki, New Haven :Yale University Art Gallery,2009)
Koicha
Thick
Tea, the best quality tea leaves
are used in preparing thick tea. It
is kneaded with the whisk to smoothly blend the large amount of powdered tea
with the water and one bowl of thick tea is shared among several guests
Matcha
Green
Tea Powder
Mizuya
The preparation area in a Japanese tea
house (chashitsu) or attached to any venue used for the Japanese Tea Ceremony,
but this area will not seen by guests
(Source : Tea culture of Japan /Sadako Ohki, New Haven :Yale University Art Gallery,2009)
Natsume
Tea Caddy, a small lidded container
in which the powdered tea is placed for use in the tea-making procedure.
Otemae
The
manner or the art performed in the tea ceremony
(Source : Tea culture of Japan /Sadako Ohki, New Haven :Yale University Art Gallery,2009)
Seiza
It is a
Japanese traditional formal way of sitting. To sit seiza-style,
one first kneels on the floor, folding their legs underneath their thighs,
while resting the buttlocks on the heels. The ankles are turned outward as the
tops of the feet are lowered so that, in a slight "V" shape, the tops
of the feet are flat on the floor and big toes sometimes are overlapped, and
the buttocks are finally lowered all the way down.
Sencha
Green
Tea Leaves/ungrounded green tea
Tatami
It is a type of mat used as a flooring
material in traditional Japanese style rooms.
Tokonoma
A built-in recessed space in a Japanese
style reception room, in which items for artistic appreciation are displayed.
The items usually displayed in a tokonoma
are calligraphic and/or pictorial scrolls and an arrangement of flowers
(Source : Tea culture of Japan /Sadako Ohki, New Haven :Yale University Art Gallery,2009)
Tsubaki
It is a small basin provided in Japanese
Buddhist Temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of
hands and rinsing of the mouth (perform ablutions). This type of ritual
cleansing is also the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony.
Usucha
Thin
Tea, which matcha and hot water are whipped using the tea whisk and served
to each guest in an individual bowl.
Wabicha
A style of Japanese Tea Ceremony,
which emphasizes simplicity, Spartan and rustic. It evolves as part of movement
to appreciate a local ware and simple style.
(Source : The book of tea by Kakuzo Okakura, Japan :Kodansha International,1991,c1989)
Roji
Tea garden,
The Japanese term used for the garden
through which one passes to the chashitsu for the tea ceremony. The roji
generally cultivates an air of simplicity.
(Source : Tea culture of Japan /Sadako Ohki, New Haven :Yale University Art Gallery,2009)
