chiden (also dennan ; kujū) people who set up, clean, prepare, and make certain that the ceremony proceeds smoothly, often working behind the scenes chōki to kneel daima the central area of the main temple hall where the priests conduct ceremonies including reading morning and afternoon sutras daishū the general assembly; all of the priests in general dakei to strike the bowl-gong dakeiten the point in the sutra at which the bowl-gong is struck denshō temple hall bell denshō san-e the sequence of three rounds of the starting temple bell (to begin the ceremony) dōan the person who rings the bowl-gong for services; in a monastic setting, the dōan is an assistant to the inō dōshi the officiant (officiating priest) of a ceremony ekō dedication of merit fudō sanpai everyone prostrating /bowing three times together fukudō the person who sets the rhythm of the chanting using the mokugyō drum; in a monastic setting, the fukudō is an assistant to the inō and dōan gasshō hand position in which the palms are placed together with fingers pointing upward and held in front of the face haishiki bowing mat (for the officiant) placed in the center of the daima haishō bowing to the officiant when requesting him/ her to officiate a service hasshakken the zone where priests enter the central area of the main temple hall (traditionally a wooden area about 2.5 meters (eight feet) wide that runs from one pillar to the other pillar at the entrance of the daima) Hannya Shingyō Heart Sutra, short for Makahannya Haramitta Shingyo hokumen facing northward, facing the altar hondō main temple hall (also hattō, literally “Dharma hall”) honzon main image of worship in the main temple hall inkin hand-bell (also see shukei) inō person who leads the chanting of the sutras; in a monastic setting, the inō is one of the persons in charge of the zendō and services who instructs the monks itsu bowing with hands in shashu jikō person who attends to the officiant, often carrying the incense tray among other duties jisha person who attends to the officiant, often carrying the incense stick among other duties jōden to enter the temple hall (also see nyūdō) jōkō to proceed to the central incense stand to offer incense keisu bowl-gong daikei

large bowl-gong

shōkei

small bowl-gong

ryūkei

very large bowl-gong

kengu ritualistic offering (to the Buddha or an Ancestor) kengubutsu items that are offered kenguki the receptacle used to hold the items that are offered kenchatō a ritual to offer green tea and sweet hot water to the Buddha kentōkasa a ritual to offer sweet hot water, sweets, and green tea to the Buddha kii monjin bowing at the front table before returning to the center (by the officiant) kōgō container holding ground incense kokyō the reading of the sutra title to start the chanting (by the inō) kōro round incense burner kotsu wooden stick held by the officiant to officiate a service; a symbol of the Dharma maetaku / maezukue long table set in front of the shumidan altar with candles, flowers and the incense burner placed upon it makkō ground or granulated incense mokugyō wooden fish drum ryūmoku

very large mokugyō

naijin the room in the main temple hall where the honzon is placed; inner sanctuary nanmen facing southward (with one’s back facing the altar) nenkō offering incense and prayer; the act of lifting up the incense stick nyūdō to enter the temple hall (also see jōden) o-hai bow/ prostration (also raihai) sanpai

three bows/ prostrations

ryaku sanbō Verse of the Three Treasures read after the ekō ryōban first row of priests (in a ceremony) seijo

west side

tōjo

east side

goryōban

second row of priests (in a ceremony)

sanbō a square-shaped stand used to carry things for a ceremony sanbō kōro incense tray specially made for the officiant to offer incense sanbō kōdai central incense stand where the incense tray is placed sandō the exiting of the priests sajyō the service program or agenda senkō incense stick shashu the hand position in which one makes a fist with the left hand and covers it with the palm of the right hand, holding the hands near the solar plexus; used when walking and standing inside the temple and meditation hall. shichigeshō seven bells rung on the temple bell as the officiant enters hall shinzen proceeding to the front table (by the officiant) shintai movements shōkō burning ground incense in an offering shōsu person who rings the temple hall bell shukei hand-bell (also see inkin) shumidan the main altar where the honzon is placed; depicts Mt. Sumeru shūzagu folding the zagu and putting it away sōgei to escort, to guide; person who uses the hand-bell to escort the officiant taidō the officiant exits the hall teizu to bow one’s head (using one’s upper body) tenzagu spreading the zagu (half way) daiten

spreading the zagu (full spread)

tomekei ringing of the small bowl-gong to signify the ending of the sutra zagu bowing cloth; cloth used for prostrations and, on certain occasions, for sitting zaniku a large rectangular cushion placed on the bowing mat