Sanzen Explained

, aka, means going to a Zen master for instruction. In the Rinzai school, it has the same meaning as dokusan, which is specifically a private interview between student and master,^[1] often centering on the student's grasp of an assigned koan. If the master rings a bell to dismiss the student, this means the student's understanding is not right and that their work with the koan must continue. It is typically held twice a day in a monastery, though during a week-long sesshin sanzen may take place as often as four times in one day.^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

See also

• Jikido
• Jikijitsu
• Keisaku

References

• Book: Chadwick, David. David Chadwick (writer). Thank You and OK!: An American Zen Failure in Japan. Arkana. 1994. 0-14-019457-6. 29638449.
• Book: Loori, John Daido. John Daido Loori. The Art of Just Sitting: Essential Writings on the Zen Practice of Shikantaza. Wisdom Publications. 2002. 0-86171-327-3. 49773732.
• Book: Fischer-Schreiber, Ingrid. Schuhmacher, Stephan. Woerner, Gert. The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Hinduism. Shambhala Publications. 1989. 0-87773-433-X. registration.
• Book: Omori, Sogen. Dōgen Hosokawa . Roy Kenichi Yoshimoto . An Introduction to Zen Training: A Translation of Sanzen Nyumon. Kegan Paul International. 1996. 0-7103-0534-6. 35042686.
• Book: Suzuki, D.T.. D.T. Suzuki. Zenchu Sato . The Training of the Zen Buddhist Monk. Cosimo Classics. 2004. 1-59605-041-1. 67391001.

Notes and References

1. Fischer-Schreiber 1989, pg. 306
2. Loori, 80
3. Suzuki, 105-106
4. Chadwick, 249
5. Omori, 145