DOKUSAN

private interview, where disciple’s state of insight is tested

GASSHO

gesture of raising the hands, palm to palm before the face to indicate respect, gratitude or humility or all three

KINHIN

walking meditation

KOAN

a conundrum which the intellect cannot solve

KOKORO

the heart mind, or consciousness

KYOSAKU

stick for massaging back and shoulder muscles

ROSHI

honorary title, sometimes given to a Zen master; literally “Old teacher”

SANGHA

community of practitioners

SATORI

enlightenment

SESSHIN

Zen retreat; literally “encounter of the heart”

TATHAGATA

pure coming and going; absolute appearance

TEISHO

A Zen talk

ZABUTON

large, flat cushion for sitting

ZAFU

round, high cushion for sitting, placed in the zabuton

ZAZEN

sitting meditation

ZAZENKAI

Typically a shorter, day-long, meditation retreat

ZENDO

place of practice