Zen Buddhism Final

kōan (gongan)

A paradoxical anecdote or question used in Zen practice to provoke deep thought and break conventional thinking, often given during meditation (e.g., “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”).

Shikantaza

“Just sitting”; a form of zazen practiced in the Sōtō school where the meditator focuses on presence without object or technique.

Shōbōgenzō

A collection of writings by Dōgen Zenji, the founder of the Sōtō school, which explores the nature of reality, zazen, and the principles of Zen practice.

Linji(Lin-Chi)/Rizai(sect)

A Chinese master and founder of the Linji school (Japanese: Rinzai), known for vigorous practices like shouting and striking to shock students into awakening.

Satori

A sudden enlightenment or awakening experience in Zen Buddhism, often described as a moment of insight into one's true nature.

“Southern School”

A tradition in Chan Buddhism that emphasizes sudden enlightenment and direct insight into one's nature, contrasting with the gradual approach of the Northern School.

“Sudden Enlightenment”

A key concept in Zen Buddhism that emphasizes immediate realization of one's true nature, typically associated with the Southern School of Chan Buddhism.

Mind-to-Mind transmission

A direct, non-verbal transmission of insight or understanding in Zen Buddhism, often emphasized in teachings and practices.

Hongaku theory

A fundamental concept in Zen that posits all beings possess inherent Buddha-nature, suggesting that enlightenment is not attained but realized. This theory asserts that the potential for enlightenment exists within every individual, and that realization of this nature leads to true understanding and liberation.

Mahāyāna

A major branch of Buddhism that emphasizes the path to Buddhahood for all sentient beings, offering teachings and practices geared towards compassion and wisdom.

Samsāra

the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhism, characterized by suffering and attachment.

Eihei-ji Temple

The head temple of the Sōtō Zen school in Japan, founded by Dōgen.

Perfection of Wisdom (prajñāpāramita)

A central concept in Mahāyāna Buddhism that represents the highest form of wisdom, which transcends ordinary understanding and enables the realization of emptiness and non-attachment.

huatou

A Zen practice involving a phrase or question used to focus meditation and spark insight.

wuwei

A concept in Daoism meaning "non-action" or "effortless action," emphasizing naturalness and spontaneity in alignment with the flow of the universe.

Platform Sūtra

A key text in Zen Buddhism attributed to Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch, focusing on direct insight and the principles of non-duality and sudden enlightenment.

bodhi

The term for enlightenment or awakening in Buddhism, representing the realization of the true nature of reality.

“ox-herding” pictures

A series of illustrations in Zen Buddhism that depict a practitioner's journey towards enlightenment, symbolizing the steps from ignorance to awakening.

Silent Illumination (mozhao)

A meditation practice in Zen Buddhism that emphasizes direct experience and awareness through stillness, allowing clarity to emerge without striving.

“Dharma Combat” (encounter dialogue)

A method of teaching in Zen Buddhism, where the teacher and student engage in a dialogue or challenge to deepen understanding and practice.

'“no-mind” (wuxin)

A state of mental clarity and absence of discursive thought in Zen Buddhism, where one experiences reality without the interference of judgment or preconceptions.

dhyāna

The practice of meditation in Buddhism, particularly in Zen, aimed at achieving tranquility and insight through focused attention and mindfulness.

zazen (zuochan)

The seated meditation practice in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing mindfulness and presence to cultivate awareness and insight.

Buddha Nature (tathāgata-garbha)

The inherent potential for enlightenment present in all beings, representing the true essence that can be realized through practice and insight.

bodhisattva

A person on the path to Buddhahood who seeks enlightenment not only for themselves but for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Caodong (Ts-ao-tung) / Sōtō (sect)

A school of Zen Buddhism that emphasizes the practice of zazen and the integration of meditation into daily life.

kenshō

The initial insight or awakening in Zen Buddhism, often described as seeing into one's true nature.

“northern school”

A branch of Zen Buddhism that emphasizes gradual enlightenment, contrasting with “southern school”

“Gradual Enlightenment”

through a slow, cumulative process to achieve awakening, contrasting with sudden enlightenment

Tendai School

A major Chinese Buddhist school that influenced early Zen, incorporating meditation, scripture, and doctrine.

Patriarch/Ancestor

Revered spiritual leaders in the Zen lineage, tracing back to Śākyamuni Buddha.

“ordinary mind”

A concept from Chan that enlightenment lies in the simplicity of everyday, non-dual awareness.

“Mu” (C. wu)

A famous kōan meaning “no” or “not have”; used to break through dualistic thinking

Emptiness (sūnyāta)

The Mahāyāna teaching that all things are empty of inherent, separate existence.

Mind Only (yogacara)

A Mahāyāna school teaching that all phenomena are manifestations of consciousness.

kanhua

“Observing the phrase”; a method of meditating on a huatou, promoted by Dahui.

Dao

The fundamental, ineffable source and order of the universe in Daoism; akin to the Way.

Tea Ceremony

A meditative practice integrating aesthetics, mindfulness, and social ritual; heavily influenced by Zen.

nirvāna

Liberation from saṃsāra and the cessation of suffering.

sanzen/dokusan

A private meeting between Zen student and teacher to discuss meditation or kōans.

“uncarved block” (pu)

Daoist metaphor for original, natural simplicity; connected to Zen's appreciation for spontaneity.

Bodhi Tree

The tree under which Siddhārtha Gautama attained enlightenment.

“wall-gazing” (Biguan)

Bodhidharma’s legendary 9-year meditation facing a wall, symbolizing deep introspection.

Dōgen

Founder of Japanese Sōtō Zen; emphasized shikantaza and wrote Shōbōgenzō.

Bodhidharma

Semi-legendary founder of Chan Buddhism; known for “wall gazing” and transmission of mind.

Huineng

Sixth Chan patriarch; proponent of sudden enlightenment; central figure in the Platform Sūtra.

Sākyamuni

Historical Buddha; founder of Buddhism.

Hongren (Hung-jen)

Fifth patriarch of Chan; teacher of both Huineng and Shenxiu.

Mazu (Ma-tsu)

Chan master famous for spontaneous and paradoxical methods.

Hongzhi (Hung-chih)

Sōtō master; advocated Silent Illumination practice.

Shenxiu (Shen - hsiu)

Advocate of gradual enlightenment; rival of Huineng.

Zhaozhou (chao-chou)

Renowned for subtle kōans, including “Mu.”

Dong-shan(tung-shan)

Founder of the Caodong school; developed “Five Ranks” of enlightenment.

Huike (Hui’k’o)

Second Chan patriarch; cut off his arm to show sincerity to Bodhidharma.

Nanquan (Nan-ch’uou)

Famous for dramatic kōans; master of Zhaozhou.

Zhuangzhi (Chuang-tzu)

Influential Daoist philosopher; emphasized spontaneity and relativism.

Eisai

Brought Rinzai Zen and tea culture to Japan; founded Japan’s first Zen temple.

Hakuin

Reviver of Rinzai Zen in Japan; emphasized kōan practice and zazen for all.

Shenhui

Disciple of Huineng; polemicist for the Southern School and sudden enlightenment.

Mahākāśyapa

Disciple of Śākyamuni; first patriarch in Zen’s lineage.

Linji (Lin-chi)

Founder of the Linji school; known for shouts, slaps, and unconventional teaching.

Dahui (Ta-hui)

Rinzai master who emphasized huatou meditation and criticized Silent Illumination.

Shitou (Shih-t’ou)

Early Chan patriarch; composed “Song of the Grass Hut.”

Huangbo (Huang-po)

Taught the unity of mind and Buddha-nature; influenced Linji.

Rujing (Ju-Ching)

Chinese teacher of Dōgen; emphasized zazen.

Ikkyū

Eccentric Japanese Zen monk and poet; critical of monastic corruption.

Sengcan (Seng-ts’an)

Third patriarch; attributed author of Faith in Mind poem.

Laozi (Lao-tzu)

Founder of Daoism; author of Dao De Jing.

Emperor Wu (Liang Wudi)

Chinese emperor and patron of Buddhism; famously questioned Bodhidharma.