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Encyclopedia of
Events and Roles
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| How do we traditionally celebrate the Buddha's enlightenment? |
| Who rings the wake-up bell during a practice period? |
| What ceremonies involve quick answers to many questions? |
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Bodhisattva
Ceremony |
Also, Full Moon Ceremony. A custom dating to the time of the Buddha whereby sangha members congregate to recite the Precepts on or around the day of the full moon. This is also suitable for those who have not taken the precepts (jukai).
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Dana
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Generosity or donation. It is one of the six Perfections (paramita) in Buddhism. Different than charity, it is giving that emerges spontaneously from a need such that giver and receiver are not distinguished.
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Hossen
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Also, Shuso Ceremony. A question and answer ceremony at the end of a practice period in which the shuso answers all questions in a quick interchange. At Austin Zen Center everyone present is required to ask a question except the head teacher.
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Kinhin
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Walking meditation, generally between periods of sitting.
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Open period
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An AZC term for what is scheduled as a long period (one to three hours) of zazen, but during which individual kinhin or standing in place is allowed at the sitter's discretion.
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Practice Period
(J: Ango) |
A period during which practice is intesified. In Japanese monastaries, the practice period is 90 days in length and involves a very tight schedule with many hours of zazen every day and silence every day. At Austin Zen Center, with its diverse levels of practice commitments, the practice period is seen as an opportunity to increase the level of one's prior commitment during this period.
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Rohatsu
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Refers to the Buddha's enlightenment. We traditionally have a seven day rohatsu sesshin in December, honoring the Buddha's enlightenment.
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Segaki
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Japanese holiday somewhat similar to Halloween, and moved in the calendar to coincide. We combine aspects of the Japanese and American traditions.
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Sesshin
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A meditation retreat in which the primary activity throughout the day is zazen. A sesshin at Austin Zen Center lasts from half a day to seven days, roughly 5 am to 9 pm. Aside from zazen there may be oryoki meals, service, lectures and infrequent breaks. A silent sesshin omits service and lecture.
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Shosan
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Question and answer ceremony involving the head teacher. At Austin Zen Center everyone present is expected to ask a question.
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Shuso
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Also, Head Student. A student designated for a practice period to represent the head teacher, to act as a role model for other students and to be the friend of the other students. He or she specifically: wakes the Center up in the morning, cleans the toilets, and offers tea and sparkling conversation for all sangha members who ask. At Austin Zen Center we conventionally reserve the phrase "shuso" for priest in training and "head student" for a lay student fulling this role. For the former acting as shuso is the culmination of the first phase of priest training.
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Wagesa, Wagesa Ceremony
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The wagesa is a formal ribbon-shaped garment received to mark initiation into Zen practice in a special ceremony.
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Zazen
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Seated (za-) meditation (-zen). The primary activity at Austin Zen Center, also called informally, "sitting."
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