Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zen?
Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism. The heart of Zen is zazen (sitting meditation), a direct way to see into the mind. When done wholeheartedly zazen can open us to our true nature. Zen does not rely on a particular sutra or doctrine, but rather places emphasis on experiencing for oneself the source of the Buddha’s teachings – awakening.
Where does Zen come from?
Zen, or Chan in Chinese and Dhyana in Sanskrit, means absorption or concentration, and is closely related to samadhi, the eighth aspect of the Eight-Fold Noble Path. Founded in China in the fifth century C.E. (Liang Dynasty) by the South Indian monk, Bodhidharma, it reached Japan in the thirteenth century, and by the mid-twentieth century it had spread to the West. Zen reached the shores of New Zealand in the 1970s.
What is zazen?
Zazen is at once a method employed to realize our True Self, and at every moment the natural unfolding of this True Self. Zazen is both something you “do” and something you “are.” Zazen literally means “sitting meditation” in Japanese, and this is the core of Zen practice, but it is essential that the one-pointed stabilized mind of awareness that one develops in zazen is extended into all one’s daily activities. The student begins by learning to sit still in a stable and comfortable upright posture, preferably on cushions on the floor, but in a chair if necessary. The initial practices taught involve awareness of breathing, a method common to many schools of Buddhism.
I am a Christian. Do I have to give up my faith to practice Zen?
No you don't. Zen meditation should help you to pray and worship more effectively. In Europe many Christian monks and nuns practice, and even teach, zazen. Since zazen allows us to directly experience what genuine religion springs from, it does not have to conflict with other faiths.
Is Zen a religion?
Yes and no. It is in the sense that faith is needed - faith in our innate wisdom and compassion. It isn't in that it does not require that we follow a particular belief system. Rather, Zen shows a path that can take us beyond fixed concepts.
Do I have to be vegetarian to practice Zen?
No. In order to uphold the precept of not killing, traditionally no flesh foods are served at Zen temples, and no meat, fish, eggs or dairy products are served by the Auckland Zen Centre, but it is not necessary to become vegan or vegetarian to take up Zen practice.
If there is no god concept in Buddhism, why are there figures and altars at the Centre?
Well-made Buddha and bodhisattva figures vividly and concretely embody aspects of the enlightened mind. When we bow before a figure it is not a form of worship but rather an affirmation of our own essential nature. By lowering the body, which we habitually identify with, we acknowledge a reality greater than our small self and remind ourselves of the purpose and meaning of Zen practice.
Why does Manjusri have a sword?
The figure on the altar during Auckland Zen Centre’s sesshins is Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, who is traditionally depicted seated on a lion, carrying a sutra book in one hand and a sword in the other. The sutra stands for prajña (transcendent wisdom), the sword for the delusion-cutting power of zazen. Although one certainly finds deep peace through Zen practice, it would be misleading to describe it as just quiescent. Although tranquility is essential, active, dynamic vigilance, akin to that of an expert swordsman, is also required.
Are koans used at the Auckland Zen Centre?
Koans are used by some students at the Centre. Koans are stories expressing fundamental spiritual questions in a succinct form that can be taken up in meditation. Because they cannot be solved by the discursive intellect, they force the student to leap beyond it, opening him or her to deeper awareness. Koans are powerful, and require the guidance of a qualified teacher, who can advise and test the student along the way. Koans are assigned to students who have an affinity for them. Shikantaza or "just sitting" is also practiced at the Centre.
What does Zen Buddhism say about same sex marriage?
It is impossible to speak for the whole of Zen Buddhism, but Amala-roshi supports and encourages same sex couples to express their commitment to and love for each other through marriage, should they wish to do so. One of the Buddhist precepts speaks of not engaging in harmful sexual relations, but on being faithful and responsible in expressing one's sexuality. This applies to all adults equally, regardless of their sexual orientation.
What is sesshin?
Sesshin is an intensive meditation retreat, lasting from two to seven days, where participants follow a disciplined programme of sitting, chanting, work, talks by the teacher, dokusan (private interview) and group meals. Sesshins are conducted in seclusion and silence, and are a powerful way to deepen one’s practice. Sesshins led by Amala-roshi are held regularly in Auckland and the USA. Check the sesshin page for more information.
What is the Rochester Zen Center? How is the AZC related to the RZC?
The Rochester Zen Center was founded in 1966 by the late Roshi Philip Kapleau, and is one of the oldest Zen training temples in the United States. The Auckland Zen Centre is an independent sister centre of the Rochester Zen Center, within the Cloud-Water Sangha.
How old is the Auckland Zen Centre?
The AZC officially opened its doors in January 2004, and became a charitable trust in 2006. The formation of the Auckland Zen Centre marks the establishment of an independent Zen temple with its own full-time priest and sanctioned teacher, the only such organization in Auckland.
How does the Auckland Zen Centre support itself?
The AZC relies almost completely on donations to cover its expenses. The principle of dana, or giving, is central to Buddhism and to practice at the Auckland Zen Centre. Anyone seeking the Dharma will be welcomed, and all donations large or small will be gratefully received. The Centre relies on donations and volunteer hours to pay building upkeep expenses, furnish our zendo, run our office, cover staff costs, and offer workshops, sittings and other programmes.
The Auckland Zen Centre is a registered charitable entity (CC20537) in terms of the Charities Act 2005. Donations are tax-deductible for New Zealand residents (IRD #94-887-291).
What are the meanings of the Sanskrit and Japanese terms used at the Auckland Zen Centre?
Here are some of the most common terms used on this website and at the Centre. For a fuller list, see our Glossary.
Dokusan
A private interaction, usually brief, between the teacher and student, which takes place during formal zazen. The student may bring up questions about sitting practice, present their understanding, or ask about an aspect of practice in daily life. Daisan is one-to-one instruction by a senior student.
Dharma
A fundamental Buddhist term having several meanings, the broadest of which is: 1) phenomenon. All phenomena are subject to the law of causation, and this fundamental truth comprises the core of the Buddha’s teaching. Thus Dharma also means: 2) the law of the universe, 3) ultimate truth, 4) the Buddha’s teaching, and 5) the doctrines of Buddhism. The second of the Three Jewels.
Dharma Talk
A talk on some aspect of the teaching from a Zen perspective by a senior student.
Eight-Fold Noble Path
In his first discourse the Buddha set out eight aspects of the path to liberation, usually translated as follows: Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration. “Right” however, is not the best translation of the original Sanskrit word samyak whose meaning is closer to “complete.”
Koan
Literally “public case.” Koans are usually brief stories about the Masters and their disciples that are employed by the Zen student as the basis for intense questioning. Since koans cannot be solved by the discursive intellect, they force the student to leap beyond him- or herself. Because of this they are a very helpful method of practice for students with a strong desire to resolve fundamental existential questions.
Rōshi
Rōshi is an honorific term translating roughly as ‘old teacher’. In English, the term is often placed before the person’s name (Rōshi Kapleau, Rōshi Kjolhede), but the traditional Japanese format is to attach the term to the end of the name (Yasutani-rōshi, Harada-rōshi).
Samu
Refers to physical work that is done with mindfulness as a practical and simple spiritual practice. Samu might include activities such as cleaning, cooking, rubbish collection, gardening or proofreading. Samu is a way to bring mindfulness into everyday life.
Sangha
Originally the Buddhist monastic order, but more generally the community of people practicing the Buddha’s Way. The third of the Three Jewels.
Sensei
Literally “one who walks ahead.” In Zen, a Sensei is someone who has been sanctioned to teach by his or her teacher.
Sesshin
Intensive meditation retreat of between two and seven days’ duration, conducted in silence, where participants engage in a highly-structured schedule of sitting, chanting, teisho, dokusan, work, meals and rest. Sesshin provides an environment in which the student may go deeper into the mind than is normally possible in everyday life.
Sutra
Buddhist scripture.
Teisho
A Dharma discourse by a sanctioned Zen teacher.
Zabuton
Square meditation mat.
Zafu
Round meditation cushion.
Zendo
Meditation hall.