BUDDHIST TERMS

Below are given a number of important Buddhist terms, that the Silent Thunder Order and their affiliates use regularly.

bodhisattva – one who has taken the vow to assist all beings to realize awakening before entering nirvana themselves

bodhi tree – the tree under which Gautama practiced zazen leading to his awakening

buddha nature – one’s original nature

dana – generosity – one of the six paramitas or perfections.

dharma – the law of universal truth as realized and expressed by the Buddha

doan – the person who keeps time during meditation and chanting using the drum and gongs in a meditation hall

dokusan – one to one interview with a Zen priest

gassho – a shallow bow used to express gratitude

Heart Sutra – Maha-prajnaparamita-hridaya- sutra – the shortest of the forty sutras that constitute the Prajnaparamita -sutra. It is one of the most important sutras of Mahayana Buddhism containing the essence of the truth as realized by the Buddhas

ino – the person who is in charge of zazen training of the meditation hall

kensho – an expression for the experience of awakening

kinhin – Walking meditation

koan – a public case – an illogical riddle or exchange between a Zen teacher and their student to assist in coming to awakening

kyosaku – a hardwood stick used by a meditation hall attendant to straighten postures or upon request to strike the shoulder muscles in order to assist Zazen practitioners.

makyo – delusion

Noble Eightfold Path – the path taught be Shakyamuni Buddha for those who wish to awaken to the truth of existence

Prajna Paramita/perfection of wisdom – expressed in the zazen posture during meditation removing the barrier or separation from between oneself and other

samadhi – literally “to establish or make firm” – the mountain still state or the non dualistic state of being completely present within the moment

sangha – harmonious community – the community of Zen practitioners or in a bigger sense the brotherhood and sisterhood of all beings including the insentient

sensei – teacher

sesshin – literally “original mind” – an intense meditation retreat where participants re-enact Gautama’s sitting and walking meditation which led to his awakening.

teisho – literally public case – the presentation of Zen realization by a Zen priest.

three jewels – the Buddha, dharma and sangha

zabuton – a flat square meditation cushion placed under a zafu during Zazen practice.

zafu – a round meditation cushion which is vital in elevating the hips so that the knees can drop to the floor such that a stable three point base can be established for zazen practice.

zazen – sitting meditation

zendo – an informal name for a temple, center or room where instruction and practice of Zen take place. It may be a shortened form of Zen dojo (like judo dojo or karate dojo) or place for practicing the “Way” of Zen.