I apologize in advance that the esoteric nature of my daily life leads me to think that posting a glossary might be useful.
These definitions are borrowed, edited, and augmented for my own purposes mostly from the SFZC City Center Residents’ Handbook; and from the Ino’s blog (which you are encouraged to visit, often), here:
Buddha Hall: Room used for services, lectures, and ceremonies.
Chiden: The person who takes care of the altars, either lighting up or cleaning.
Densho: The large bell used to announce services and lectures.
Doan: The person who keeps time in the zendo and sounds the bells.
Dokusan: A formal, face-to-face interview with a past or present Abbess or Abbot.
Doshi: The officiating priest for a dharma event.
Fukudo: The person who sounds the han to announce zendo events, and strikes the mokugyo to accompany chanting.
Gaitan: The hallway leading to the zendo.
Gassho: A mudra or bow with palms together, it signifies gratitude.
Han: The wooden block near the zendo, inscribed with a reminder about impermanence; struck to announce zazen.
Ino: “Supervisor of Monks,” the Ino arranges the affairs of the meditation hall, Buddha Hall, and ceremonies.
Jiko: The attendant to the doshi for a dharma event.
Jisha: The Abott’s or Abbess’ ceremonial attendant.
Jundo: Ceremonial morning greeting by a leader, typically at the beginning of morning zazen. As the priest walks past, you are asked to raise your hands in gassho.
Kaisando: Founder’s Hall upstairs, where monthly memorial services are held for the founder at San Francisco Zen Center.
Kinhin: Walking meditation, usually between two periods of zazen.
Kokyo: The individual who leads the chants for services.
Mokugyo: The red lacquered drum used as a “heartbeat” for chants.
Mudra: Hand or body position or gesture with symbolic meaning.
Okesa: A large patched robe made like Buddha’s robe, worn by priests.
Oryoki: Formal style of eating in the zendo.
Rakusu: A small patched neck robe made like Buddha’s robe, worn by people who have received precepts in an ordination.
Sesshin: Literally “to unify or touch the mind.” An intensive all-day schedule of zazen, lecture, work, and meals, lasting from one to seven days.
Shashu: Mudra used in standing or walking meditation with the right hand wrapped around the left fist held at the level of the solar plexus.
Shika: The guest manager at the temple.
Shoten: The person who sounds the densho to announce events in the Buddha Hall.
Shuso: The head student for a practice period.
Soji: A brief period of mindful work; temple cleaning.
Sutra: A scripture attributed to Shakyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha).
Tan: The raised platform for sitting in the zendo.
Tanto: The head of practice at the temple or monastery.
Tenzo: The head cook and person who oversees kitchen practice.
Zabuton: A rectangular, flat cushion used for zazen, usually found underneath the zafu.
Zafu: A round cushion used for zazen.
Zazen: “Total awareness in an upright posture,” aka meditation, zen-style. (N.B.: some may argue that “meditation” and “zazen” are not at all synonyms but this is probably fine for our purposes.)
Zendo: The meditation hall.
the texture of ordinary 