Bodhi Mind - [Source: Glossary in The Eight Gates of Zen] “Mind in which the aspiration for enlightenment has been awakened; the impulse that moves one towards self-realization” (Loori, 2002, p. 261).
Bodhisattva - [Source: Glossary in The Eight Gates of Zen] “One who practices the Buddha Way and compassionately postpones final enlightenment for the sake of others; the ideal of practice in Mahayana Buddhism” (Loori, 2002, p. 261).
[Source: A Comprehensive Glossary of Zen Buddhism Terminology] “a being who is committed to attaining enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings” (Fuyu, 2023).
Gassho - [Source: Glossary in The Eight Gates of Zen] “Gesture of bringing one’s hands together, palm to pal, embodying the identity of all dualities” (Loori, 2002, p. 264).
[Source: Glossary of Zen Terms] “A mudra expressing nonduality: The palms are joined so that the fingertips are at the height of the nose. The hands are approximately one fist-width away from the face. Hold the palms and fingers of both hands together. Your arms should be slightly away from your chest, your elbows should extend outward from your sides in a straight line parallel with the floor. The tips of your fingers should be approximately the same level as your nose. This is an expression of respect, faith and devotion. Because the two hands (duality) are joined together, it expresses ‘One Mind’” (Terebess, n.d.)
Gatha - [Source: Glossary in The Eight Gates of Zen] “Short sutra that presents the Dharma teachings in terse, pithy wording; frequently chanted” (Loori, 2002, p. 264).
Kinhin - [Source: Glossary in The Eight Gates of Zen] “Walking meditation; it provides a transitional stage for shifting the concentration developed in zazen into activity” (Loori, 2002, p. 265).
Koan - [Source: Glossary in The Eight Gates of Zen] “An apparently paradoxical statement or question used in Zen training to induce in the student an intense level of doubt, allowing them to cut through conventional and conditioned descriptions of reality and see directly into their true nature” (Loori, 2002, p. 265).
[Source: A Comprehensive Glossary of Zen Buddhism Terminology] A paradoxical question or statement used mostly within the Rinzai school of Zen to provoke insight and realization, often unanswerable through conventional thinking. (Fuyu, 2023).
Kyosaku - [Source: Glossary in The Eight Gates of Zen] “‘Wake-up stick’; a flattened stick used by the monitors in the zendo to strike acupressure points on a person’s shoulders, relieving tension and promoting wakefulness” (Loori, 2002, p. 266).
Oriyoki - [Source: Glossary in The Eight Gates of Zen] “‘Containing just enough’; set of bowls and the ceremonial meals eaten in silence in Buddhist monasteries” (Loori, 2002, p. 266).
Sangha - [Source: Glossary in The Eight Gates of Zen] “Community of practitioners; all sentient and insentient beings” (Loori, 2002, p. 268).
Sutra(s) - [Source: Glossary in The Eight Gates of Zen] “Narrative texting consisting chiefly of the discourses and teachings of the Buddha” (Loori, 2002, p. 268).
Sesshin - [Source: Glossary in The Eight Gates of Zen] “‘Gathering of the mind’; an extended period of intensive meditation practice lasting between five and ten days, centered on zazen but encompassing every aspect of the daily schedule” (Loori, 2002, p. 268).
Zazen-kai - [Source: A Comprehensive Glossary of Zen Buddhism Terminology] “A group meditation session in Zen Buddhism, often held in a zendo or meditation hall” (Fuyu, 2023).