Zen Buddhism 11 Vocab Terms

Chan

The Chinese sect of Buddhism that focuses on the experience of enlightenment; it began to flourish under the direction of Hui-neng in the 7th century AD; the Japanese equivalent is Zen.

koan

A verbal puzzle designed to short-circuit the workings of the rational, logical mind; used as a means of triggering an enlightenment experience.

Rinzai

The school of sudden awakening, brought to Japan in the 12th century AD by Eisai; one of the two major sects of Zen.

roshis

Zen masters who are deemed competent to teach others.

satori

The Zen experience of enlightenment, a flash of insight in which the true nature of one's being is known directly. Also, referred to as kensho.

Soto

The school of gradual awakening, brought to Japan in the 13th century AD by Dogen; one of the two major sects of Zen.

zazen

The basic method of Zen meditation, traditionally practiced while seated in the lotus position in a meditation hall.

dokusan

A periodic meeting with a Zen master during which the disciple offers an answer to an assigned koan.

bushido

A code of conduct for the samurai that is based on Shinto nationalism, Confucian ethics, and Zen Buddhist self-discipline.

samurai

A Japanese medieval warrior knight; the term can be either singular or plural.

seppuku

Also called hara-kiri; ritual suicide prescribed for samurai who have committed crimes or acts of dishonor.