Terms:

 

Doan: This the Soto Zen term for one who rings bells in the zendo. Doan acts as timekeeper and sounds the small gong that marks the beginning and end of each period of zazen. The doan also rings the small and large gongs during service and ceremonies and uses a bell to begin and end kinhin

Doshi: A person who leads the service by walking kentan offering incense and leading chants, prostrations and bows.

Gassho: A mudra or bow with palms together, it signifies gratitude.

 

Kentan: Kentan is done prior to the first round of meditation when all are facing away from the wall.  The Doshi will make a circuit of the zendo.  As s/he approaches you, raise your hands palm-to-palm, and then drop them when s/he has passed.

 

Kinhin: Walking meditation. Although its meditative aspect is of prime importance, kinhin also serves the purpose of moving one's legs after a long period of zazen, thus making physical problems unlikely. Hands should be held in the shashou position.

Kishin: Kishin is one of the 3 minds (along with Daishin and Roshin) that Zen Master Dogen wrote about in the Tenzo Kyokun. Shin means mind, while Ki can be used to mean energy or spirit. When combined, the result is understood to be "Joyful Mind"

 

Mahayana: Mahayana one of two great schools of Buddhist doctrine emphasizing a common search for universal salvation especially through faith alone. As the "Greater Vehicle" (literally, the "Greater Ox-Cart"), Mahayana is a path available to people from all walks of life - not just monks and ascetics.

 

Mokugyo: Wooden "fish" drum used to keep time during chanting.

 

Mudra: The way in which one places their hands during zazen meditation. Traditionally the Cosmic Mudra is used in Soto Zen. The Cosmic Mudra is done by placing your right hand palm up holding the left hand, also palm up, so that the knuckles of both hands overlap.  The thumbs are lightly touching, thus the hands form an oval, which can rest on your lap or thighs.

 

Raihai: Also known as deep bows or prostrations. Normally done in a set of three and normally done towards the altar, these are bows that lead immediately into a kneeling position and then quickly into a position with one's forehead gently touching the floor. The hands, palms upwards, are raised in a gesture symbolic of lifting the Buddha's feet over one's head. It's appropriate to cultivate an attitude of emptying, letting go, receptivity and gratitude

 

Sangha: Zen family, community or group practicing together. In its largest sense, all living beings make up our Sangha, though when commonly used Sangha means our fellows in the local Zen center or the group in our area with whom we practice.

 

Soto Zen: Soto was brought to Japan from China by Dogen in the 13th. century. Zazen (Zen meditation) is the foundation of Soto practice, but it is not just something that is done part of the day. Instead, daily activities are part of Zazen. This is Soto practice.

Shashou (also Shashu): The position in which to hold the hands for kinhin and whenever moving about in the zendo. To form this position, first one hand should gently be made into a loose fist with the thumb held inside. The other hand is then wrapped around the fist with the thumb resting in the slight indendation at the top of the first hand.

 

Shikantaza: means "Just sit". It was Dogen's way to point to a state of mind where the practice of meditation was itself perfection. There is no goal to be attained beyond practice itself.

Zazen: “Total awareness in an upright posture,” aka meditation, zen-style.