Encyclopedia - Zen: Encyclopedia Ii - Zen - Zen And Buddhism
Zen is a branch of Buddhism and as such is based on and deeply rooted in the Buddha's teachings. It is also very much the child of China ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Zen Buddhism: Health And Healing Dictionary On Zen Buddhism
Zen Buddhism: A Japanese branch of Mahayana Buddhism believed to have originated in India from the teachings of a Buddhist master, Bod...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Zen Buddhism: Zen Buddhist Dictionary
Zen Buddhism: Zen Buddhist Dictionary A dictionary of Zen Buddhism terms. Please note that all words in grey like " Buddhism "...   » Read the article

Article - Zen Buddhism: Mapless Journeys Beyond The Self  
When Boddhidharma, was presented to the emperor of China, the ruler of the Middle Kingdom recounted the many great works of charity he...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Zen: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Zen
Zen: Literally translated, zen means meditation. Zen is one of four major schools of Buddhism. The other schools are: Mahayana, Therav...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Zen: Buddhist - Buddhism Dictionary On Zen
Zen. A major school of Mahayana Buddhism, with several branches.   One of its most popular techniques is meditation on koans, w...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Samu: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Samu
Samu: Working Zen practice, especially physical labor.    (See also: Samu , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Son: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Son
Son: Korean name for Zen.    (See also: Son , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Ch'an: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Ch'an
Ch'an: Chinese name for Zen.    (See also: Ch'an , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Saijojo: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Saijojo
Saijojo: The form of Zen that emphasizes realization without support, through shikan-taza. This is the form of Zen most emphasized in ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Dojo: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Dojo
Dojo: A center of training for Zen.    (See also: Dojo , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Gedo: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Gedo
Gedo: Non-Buddhist Zen; Zen without Buddhist teachings. Often associated with mysticism and super-natural powers, which are usually wh...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Zendo: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Zendo
Zendo: A place where Zen is practiced. Many formal zendos are only a room. Some may be a building. Others may be a compound. The world...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Student: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Student
Student: In Zen a student is a traveler, one who is practicing Zen under a master or teacher to find self-awareness. The student is re...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Mushotoku: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Mushotoku
Mushotoku: The optimum state for Zen practice, in which there is no goal or object, no intention for self gain or profit.   &nb...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Dhyana: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Dhyana
Dhyana: The seventh element in the path of classical Yoga, meaning meditation. It is equivalent to Zen and Ch'an, which are transliter...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Bodhidharma: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Bodhidharma
Bodhidharma: (Daruma in Japanese) In this book he is credited with popularizing Ch'an during the early sixth century C.E. He is also c...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Daijo: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Daijo
Daijo: The Mahayana way of Zen, the Great Vehicle. Practitioners must be able to see into their true natures and put forth their belie...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Shojo: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Shojo
Shojo: The Hinayana form of Zen, or Lesser Vehicle. This form, as opposed to the Daijo, is very individualistic, intending to take onl...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Rinzai: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Rinzai
Rinzai: School of Zen emphasizing the use of koans. It is a teacher centered school, where meditation is done facing the center of the...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Tao-sheng: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Tao-sheng
Tao-sheng: A Buddhist monk, who lived ca. 360-434 C.E. He is credited with founding Ch'an (Zen). See also Bodhidharma.    ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Bompu: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Bompu
Bompu: Ordinary Zen, free from philosophical or religious contents, and is practiced for the sole purpose of improving one's physical ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Kinhin: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Kinhin
Kinhin: Walking in contemplation; walking meditation; Zen practice while walking; a focussed, quick paced walking zazen. Often done be...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Zazenkai: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Zazenkai
Zazenkai: A one day sesshin, in which the practitioners partake in meditation, listening to Dharma talk and other Zen lectures, and re...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Soto: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Soto
Soto: School of Zen emphasizing meditation and formalism. It is a student centered school, where students determine their own koans. M...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Koan: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Koan
Koan: A Zen riddle, used most notably in the Rinzai school as a tool for transmitting understanding. Any text that claims to have answ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Bakufu: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Bakufu
Bakufu: The samurai "tent government" of Japan, commonly called the Shogunal government. There were three Shogunates, each e...   » Read the article

Dictionary -  dokusan: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On  dokusan
 Dokusan: A period of interaction between a Zen student and a Zen teacher, which is done according to a regular schedule. This is...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Mokugyo: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Mokugyo
Mokugyo: An instrument, made of hollowed wood in the shape of a fish. Like the keiso, this is struck with a padded club during sutra c...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Satori: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Satori
Satori: A state of consciousness, often associated with enlightenment. Satori is an awareness of Buddha nature, similar to Tao-sheng's...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Unsui: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Unsui
Unsui: The novices in a Zen monastery. The word literally means cloud-water. Novices are called this because clouds move about freely,...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Roshi: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Roshi
Roshi: "Venerable teacher." Generally one who presides over a monastery, the master, who gives Zen instruction. This title i...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Tao: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Tao
Tao: Translated it means the way (Chinese). In the form of the Tao in Taoism, Tao is the way of nature, which is undescribable. For Co...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Buji: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Buji
Buji: "No matter." An attitude acquired toward Zen, in which the individual does not practice because of the rationality tha...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Civic Religion: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Civic Religion
Civic Religion: Popular cultural elements and institutions that bring a community together. An example would be democracy, which is a ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Inka: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Inka
Inka: (Inka Shomei) The seal of approval; a formal acknowledgement of a student's completion of Zen training. This does not imply mast...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Zenji: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Zenji
Zenji: (Ch'an-shih in Chinese) A highly venerated, greatly respected teacher or master. This is a title usually given after death, tho...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Takuhatsu: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Takuhatsu
Takuhatsu: The system that is used by Zen monks who are in training, to beg for their food. This is generally done in groups of ten to...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Three Worlds: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Three Worlds
Three Worlds: One of Buddhist cosmologies, in which the cosmos is divided into three parts: Desire, Form, and Non-form. The first and ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Sangha: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Sangha
Sangha: A group, who together practice religious Buddhism; a community of Buddhist practitioners. Also used to refer to the Buddhist m...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Three Treasures: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Three Treasures
Three Treasures: (Three Jewels; Tri-ratna) The three central elements or principal features of Buddhism. They are: Buddha Gautama, the...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Dharma: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Dharma
Dharma (Dhamma): Translated as law. In Buddhism, the Dharma is the canonical texts.    (See also: Dharma , Buddhism, Body...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Consciousness: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Consciousness
Consciousness: In Buddhism there are eight classes of consciousness. The first five are the senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, and he...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Ego: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Ego
Ego: The individual or self; in Buddhism the ego is an illusion, which helps to perpetuate all illusion.    (See also: Eg...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Hinayana: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Hinayana
Hinayana: Name given by the Mahayana to the other schools of Buddhism that preceded it. The preferred name for these schools is Therav...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Hui-yuan: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Hui-yuan
Hui-yuan: A Buddhist monk, who lived ca. 337-417 C.E. He is credited with founding the Pure Land sect of Buddhism.    (See...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Yogi: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Yogi
Yogi: A practitioner of Yoga.    (See also: Yogi , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Makyo: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Makyo
Makyo: Japanese word meaning fantasies and hallucinations.    (See also: Makyo , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Manas: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Manas
Manas: The level of consciousness where illusion is generated, it is the subconscious.    (See also: Manas , Buddhism, Bo...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Master: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Master
Master: The guide of the traveler (student). Roshi is a better term, if it is used without trying to imply a status.    (S...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Maya: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Maya
Maya: Name attributed to Gautama Siddharta's mother. More importantly, maya is translated as illusion, and is used to describe reality...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Mindfulness: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Mindfulness
Mindfulness: A state of awareness, of oneself and others, as well as nature.    (See also: Mindfulness , Buddhism, Body M...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Mo Tse: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Mo Tse
Mo Tse: A philosopher who rebelled against Confucianism, and taught universal love and utilitarianism.    (See also: Mo T...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Moksha: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Moksha
Moksha: In Hindu tradition, the escape from samsara, which can only be attained by a member of the brahmin caste, with a balanced karm...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Paranayama: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Paranayama
Paranayama: The fourth element in the path of classical Yoga, meaning breathing control.    (See also: Paranayama , Buddh...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Philosophy: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Philosophy
Philosophy: The search for and love of wisdom.    (See also: Philosophy , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Prajna: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Prajna
Prajna: Essential wisdom. Prajna Paramita is wisdom perfection.    (See also: Prajna , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul) &nb...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Pratyahara: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Pratyahara
Pratyahara: The fifth element in the path of classical Yoga, meaning the elimination of the outer perceptions.    (See als...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Pratyekabuddha: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Pratyekabuddha
Pratyekabuddha: Solitary practitioners who attain Buddhahood without a teacher. These are private Buddhas.    (See also: ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Proselytizing: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Proselytizing
Proselytizing: Actively seeking to convert others to one's own beliefs.    (See also: Proselytizing , Buddhism, Body Mind...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Lao Tse: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Lao Tse
Lao Tse: Also Lao Tzu. Supposed founder of Taoism, and author of the Tao Te Ching.    (See also: Lao Tse , Buddhism, Body...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Livelihood: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Livelihood
Livelihood: The means by which we make a living, support ourselves.    (See also: Livelihood , Buddhism, Body Mind and So...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Lotus Position: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Lotus Position
Lotus Position: The position that Buddha is depicted in. In meditation, the feet are brought up, and the backs of both feet are presse...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Lotus: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Lotus
Lotus: Symbol of purity and perfection, Buddha-nature.    (See also: Lotus , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Maha: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Maha
Maha: Literally means "greater."    (See also: Maha , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Mahaprajna: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Mahaprajna
Mahaprajna: Great wisdom; the wisdom of the Buddhas.    (See also: Mahaprajna , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Mujo: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Mujo
Mujo: The impermanent condition of everything.    (See also: Mujo , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Mushin: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Mushin
Mushin: No mind, spirit, soul, nor intuition.    (See also: Mushin , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Naisan: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Naisan
Naisan: An unscheduled and secret visit with a roshi at any time of the day or night, when there are special circumstances to warrant ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Nirvana: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Nirvana
Nirvana (Nibbana): The ultimate state of awareness, and the penultimate state of harmony. It is second in harmony to para-nirvana. &...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Niyama: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Niyama
Niyama: The second element in the path of classical Yoga, meaning disciplines.    (See also: Niyama , Buddhism, Body Mind...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Oryoko: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Oryoko
Oryoko: The bowls given to a Buddhist upon being ordained, particularly the largest of these bowls that is used for begging and eating...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Pali: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Pali
Pali: Ancient language used by the Mahayana, because it was the vernacular language.    (See also: Pali , Buddhism, Body ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Samsara: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Samsara
Samsara: The endless cycle of reincarnation; transmigration. Literally means to move about continuously.    (See also: Sa...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Sanzen: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Sanzen
Sanzen: An interview of a student by a master. Used especially in the Rinzai school.    (See also: Sanzen , Buddhism, Bod...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Seiza: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Seiza
Seiza: Traditional Japanese sitting posture, with the buttocks on the heels of the feet, large toes crossed, and a straight posture. T...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Shastra: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Shastra
Shastra: A commentary on a sutra.    (See also: Shastra , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Thought: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Thought
Thought: The way we process information, both facts and truths.    (See also: Thought , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul) &n...   » Read the article

Dictionary - T'ien: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On T'ien
T'ien: In Chinese tradition, this is translated as Heaven. T'ien is an important theme in Chinese religion, philosophy, and the Chines...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Ti-lakkhana: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Ti-lakkhana
Ti-lakkhana: (Tri-laksana) The three aspects or characteristics of existence. These are: anicca, dukkha, and anatta.    (S...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Transmission Of The Lamp: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Transmission Of The Lamp
Transmission/Transmission of the Lamp: The first Transmission was to Kasyapa, then called Mahakasyapa. The transmission is the receivi...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Truth: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Truth
Truth: That which is believed to be, not necessarily what really is (fact).    (See also: Truth , Buddhism, Body Mind and...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Utilitarianism: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism: Belief in the utility of acts; an act must have a benefit in order to be good. Western utilitarianism emphasizes the g...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Wato: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Wato
Wato: A word, phrase, or other response in answer to a koan.    (See also: Wato , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Wu: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Wu
Wu: Chinese word for mu.    (See also: Wu , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Yama: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Yama
Yama: The first element of the path of classical Yoga, meaning restraint. In Japanese yama means mountain.    (See also: ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Yasodhara: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Yasodhara
Yasodhara: Wife of Gautama Siddharta.    (See also: Yasodhara , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Yaza: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Yaza
Yaza: Zazen done after bedtime in the monastery, which would be after 9 P.M.    (See also: Yaza , Buddhism, Body Mind and...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Yin And Yang: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Yin And Yang
Yin and Yang: Principle of polarity in Chinese cosmology, in which the opposite poles eventually blend and become one another in a cos...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Yoga: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Yoga
Yoga: Tradition that predates Hinduism, and emphasizes meditation for self realization.    (See also: Yoga , Buddhism, Bo...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Rahula: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Rahula
Rahula: Son of Gautama Siddharta and Yasodhara.    (See also: Rahula , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Raja: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Raja
Raja: The way to god through psychophysical exercise in Yoga. This is the royal way of Yoga, but not the fastest way to self realizati...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Rakusu: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Rakusu
Rakusu: A small kolomo/kesa worn during work.    (See also: Rakusu , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Religion: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Religion
Religion: Derived from the Latin word religio, meaning to bind or bring together. Religion is that which brings people together. &nb...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Ren: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Ren
Ren: From Confucianism, ren is the principle of humaneness.    (See also: Ren , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Ru Ja: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Ru Ja
Ru ja: Chinese name for the school of Confucius (Confucianism).    (See also: Ru ja , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul) &nbs...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Tan: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Tan
Tan: Wooden platform used for sleeping and meditation, built along the wall of a zendo.    (See also: Tan , Buddhism, Bod...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Tanden: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Tanden
Tanden: See hara.    (See also: Tanden , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Tanha: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Tanha
Tanha: (trishna) The desire for personal fulfillment or gain. Tanha is the second noble truth, the cause of dukkha is tanha (suffering...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Taoism: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Taoism
Taoism: A philosophy whose origins can be traced back to the seventh century B.C.E.    (See also: Taoism , Buddhism, Body...   » Read the article