What to Expect
Your first time at a new place can be daunting––but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re exploring Zen for the first time or visiting us from another place, here are a few things you should know.
We are located at 417 W. Woodlawn Ave., San Antonio, TX. Our central location is near a bus stop on San Pedro Ave., one of the busiest streets in the heart of the city, down the street from San Antonio College and San Pedro Springs Park.
If you’re driving:
Our lovely neighbors at Banana’s Billiards have graciously allowed our sangha members to park in their parking lot, alongside the fence that runs between our properties.
If visiting via Zoom:
Please respect others that are sitting and avoid creating disruptions. You can view and download our Chant Book here.
If you're attending for the first time:
We highly recommend attending one of our Beginner’s Meditation Classes, typically held on the first Saturday of every month. Check the calendar to see when the next one is available and we’ll be happy to answer any and all questions.
What about COVID?
We realize there is heightened sensitivity regarding events and public gatherings, and we always want you to feel comfortable coming to the Zen Center. While we no longer require face masks for in-person programs and events, we kindly ask that if you have tested positive for or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or are feeling under the weather in general, you avoid practicing in person and instead choose to practice from our Zoom Zendo (information on the calendar page) to protect our fellow sangha members. Out of an abundance of safety, we run HEPA filters in the meditation hall to ensure the air quality is as safe as possible.
Upon arrival:
We ask that you remove your shoes upon entry and silence your cell phones and electronic wearables. On your left in the foyer, you will find cubbies in which to store your shoes, silenced cell phones, and other belongings while you sit. Face masks are available in the foyer if needed, as well as hand sanitizer.
We begin promptly at the scheduled time:
We recommend you come in early to get situated and ask any questions you may have, but if you arrive late, simply enter quietly, find an empty cushion and sit!
Where can I sit?
There are a few spaces reserved for the teacher, Ino, Kokyo, Doan, and Fukudo, (temple positions). These seats are labeled so unless you would like to find yourself ringing bells for service or leading a chant, you should feel free to sit in any of the other unlabeled spaces available.
What if I have to use the restroom during zazen?
We would prefer you wait until the end of the sitting period, to bow out and quietly go. But if you have to go, you have to go. The proper form is to quietly bow, rise from your zafu/bench/chair, and make your way to the restroom. You’ll find it in the adjoining room where the kitchen is.
What if I can’t sit on a zafu because of physical restrictions?
At SAZC, we welcome everyone and have a few accommodations available. We have several benches and chairs available to use if a zafu doesn’t work for you. You are also free to bring your own, if you prefer, and we have wheelchair accessibility into the zendo if that’s something you need. Feel free to reach out if you need special accommodations so we can have someone ready to assist if necessary.
Do you have copies of your chant books?
The chant books we have at SAZC are for temple use only. You can view a digital version here.
Terms you may hear
Bodhisattva - one who lives for the benefit of all beings. This is used either to represent a human committed to the attaining enlightenment for the sake of others, or mythical beings such as Avalokiteshvara (bodhisattva of compassion) or Majushiri (bodhisattva of wisdom), who represent particular Buddhist ideals.
Chiden - The person who takes care of the altars. This task requires trimming the candle, cleaning out incense bowls, and brushing the dust from the statues and altar cloths.
Dharma - the teachings of the Buddha or Buddhism, the forms of the world, as well as generally used to define the way the universe operates.
Doan - the person who rings the bells for service and meditation. They also light the candle and prepare chip incense for services.
Dokusan - a formal practice discussion with the teacher. Dokusan is usually offered during sesshin. You can also schedule one outside of a sesshin if you make an appointment with the teacher.
Fukudo - the person who drums on the mokugyo.
Gassho - the hand gesture of holding the palms together. Gassho is held with the elbows out, the mudra held a few inches from the face, no higher than the tip of your nose.
Ino - the person in charge of the zendo. The Ino works to ensure everyone is able to practice. If you have any questions about how to do things in the zendo, feel free to ask them.
Jukai - the ceremony for receiving the precepts.
Kinhin - walking meditation. Kinhin is often practiced between periods of sitting meditation. Practitioners walk with hands in shashu in a set pattern around the zendo.
Koan - a Zen story or paradox that highlights particular aspects of practice.
Kokyo - the person who leads chants during service.
Mokugyo - the wooden drum used for some chants, performed by the Fukudo.
Mudra - a hand gesture such as gassho or shashu.
Oryoki - formal silent meal practice. At SAZC, performed during meditation retreats.
Rakusu - the small square cloth worn around the neck by people who have received the precepts. The colors of these vary by sect, Center, and lineage. At SAZC, after Jukai, blue rakusus are worn by lay practitioners who have received the precepts via Jukai.
Rohatsu - the date commemorating the Buddha’s enlightenment, traditionally on the 8th of December. It is often the last day of a Rohatsu sesshin, a seven-day intensive retreat.
Roshi - a term of honor accorded to well-respected long-time practitioners who have received dharma transmission. This honorific follows the honored person’s name (Suzuki Roshi, Tenshin Roshi, Gaelyn Roshi)
Sangha - one of the triple treasures; the Zen community.
Seiza - a form of sitting that occurs while one is kneeling on the floor, resting on one’s heels or a bench. SAZC has seiza benches available for those unable to sit in zafus.
Sensei - a recognized teacher of Zen. This honorific is used after the teacher’s name, much like Roshi.
Sesshin - a silent Zen retreat.
Shashu - the gesture for folding the hands when walking around the temple. The left hand is held against the solar plexus in a loose fist. The right hand is wrapped around the top of the fist with the thumb resting on top of the first hand.
Soji - a brief period of mindful work, usually centered on temple cleaning, including caring for the temple grounds.
Sutra - Buddhist scriptures. Sōtō Zen service involves chanting some Buddhist scriptures from chant books or from memory.
Zabuton - the rectangular padding on which practitioners sit on meditation. The zafu is placed on the zabuton.
Zafu - the round cushion on which practitioners sit in meditation.
Zazen - meditation.
Zendo - the meditation hall.