Glossary

ANGO

Intense practice period dedicated to the monks’ training. Practicing in solidarity, forgetting oneself, paying great attention to the others, unconsciously, naturally and automatically, we return to Buddha’s life, to the original condition of the body-mind.

BODHISATTVA

lit. “Awakening being”

The one who awakens through his practice, and through this awakening, helps all beings. All his actions are unconsciously and naturally inspired by compassion, and supported by wisdom. The bodhisattva renounces his own liberation until all beings are saved.

His profession of faith is: “Together, all of us together…”

DHARMA

The manifestation of reality. Beyond the laws of men, it is the natural Law of the universe, which rules our world and all beings. Buddha awakened to that Law before teaching and transmitting that awakening. That is why the word Dharma is also used to describe the masters’ and patriarchs’ teaching, which expresses universal truth.

DOJO

lit. “Room of the Way”

In the heart of the monastery, the dojo is where zazen is practiced, in a quiet place conducive to zazen’s peaceful meditation.

GENMAI

The traditional rice soup, served every morning after zazen. Eating the genmai is a ceremony: we eat in silence, after reciting a sutra, completely concentrated.

KAI

Buddhist precepts which guide our lives, showing us the way to an existence based on right speech, right action, right livelihood… Following the precepts helps us develop just relationships with other beings; they are an expression of our responsibility in this world.

KESA

from the Sanskrit kasaya: “earth colour”

The kesa is Buddha’s garment. Shakyamuni Buddha collected discarded pieces of fabric, washed and dyed them with earth (hence the colour) and assembled them meticulously, stitch by stitch, to make the robe he wore. Since then the kesa has been transmitted from master to disciple and has become the monk’s garment, a symbol of transmission and teaching. Sewing the kesa requires that we follow very strict rules handed down by tradition. We generally sew it ourselves, with the great concentration of zazen mind. Thus the monk takes care of the kesa, respects it and wears it for zazen.

KUSEN

The oral teaching given by the master to his disciples during zazen. It is neither a talk, nor a lecture, nor literature. The sentences are simple, short and straightforward. The kusen speaks directly to the heart of the disciple, to the deepest part of his brain, and not to his intellect. It springs directly from the practice and the profound mind of the master. Only an authentic master of transmission can create a kusen from the bottom of universal truth.

MONDO

The opportunity, for a disciple, to ask the master a question on some aspects of the teaching and their realisation in daily life, or a clarification regarding his practice. It takes place in the dojo, during zazen, in the presence of the sangha.

ORYOKI

A set of bowls transmitted to monks and nuns at the time of their ordination. In the past, monks used to beg for their food using those bowls. Eating with the oryoki bowls is a traditional ceremony during which we focus on each action and recite the Meal Sutra to express our gratitude.

RAKUSU

The rakusu is a small kesa worn by monks, nuns and bodhisattvas in daily life.

SANGHA

Community of practitioners of Buddha’s teaching.

SAMU

lit. “service through work”

Selfless activity, assisting the sangha; the chores of everyday life in the monastery: cooking, cleaning, working in the vegetable garden, washing the dishes, etc., in concentration, in the silence of the mind. This spiritual practice maintains zazen’s awakened mind during our daily activities.

SESSHIN

lit. “concentration of the mindful heart”

On a day-to-day basis, practice at the monastery is divided between zazen in the morning and evening and the activities of daily life. Sesshins are devoted to zazen and the teaching (kusen, teisho, mondo…). It’s a retreat, in the sense that we retreat into ourselves in silence and concentration, without being cut off from the others, since we all practise together. Sesshin means becoming intimate with ourselves and encountering our profound nature, Buddha nature, shared by all beings in the universe.

SHIHO

Zen has always been transmitted outside the scriptures, from master to disciple, without interruption since Buddha Shakyamuni 2 600 years ago. The shiho is the certificate of this transmission, guaranteeing the authenticity of the teaching.

SHOSAN

The master speaks freely about the Dharma in the presence of his disciples, around a cup of tea. Issues concerning the teaching or questions on life in the monastery are raised.

SUTRA

lit. “guiding thread”

The sutras are Buddha’s teachings, transcribed by his disciples. They are studied to shed light on our practice and are chanted during ceremonies.

TEISHO

The master raises, expounds and develops a point of the Dharma in the form of a lecture.

ZAZEN

lit. “sitting in peaceful concentration”

The essence, the root of zen practice. Sitting cross-legged, with the back straight, our outbreath is long, deep, quiet; as we let our thoughts pass, the mind calms down and becomes clear. It is freed and we reach a vast consciousness. Zazen is Buddha’s posture of awakening. It is the return to the normal condition of body and mind, in unity with all things.