Pronunciation of Zen terms

[spinpsychle]

Okay, so the last time I was a "real" Zendo I was a bit surprised to hear them pronounce sesshin with the stress on the second syllable, which by the way is not a long e sound but a short i sound. Before I stumble on anything and/or further entrench a bad habit, let's just go over the exact way to say other such terminology. Shikantaza, for example. Oryoki? Rakusu?

-Mike

[Jundo]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

Okay, so the last time I was a "real" Zendo I was a bit surprised to hear them pronounce sesshin with the stress on the second syllable, which by the way is not a long e sound but a short i sound. Before I stumble on anything and/or further entrench a bad habit, let's just go over the exact way to say other such terminology. Shikantaza, for example. Oryoki? Rakusu?

-Mike

Okay, they are pronounced "Shikantaza" and "Oryoki". :wink:

Actually, yes, in Japanese these have a certain pronunciation (which, in most cases, is already a Japanese bastardization of the original Chinese ... which is sometimes itself derived from Sanskrit ... and Pali). Having lived and taught in both Japan, Europe and America for a few years, I have seen that many of these words are getting Westernized (when I visited a Sangha in Paris, they pronounced words like "Samadhi" and "Bodhisattva" in such a luscious way, it made my heart skip a beat).

So, do not worry about it too much.

If you listen to me on the 'sit-a-longs', you will probably hear me bounce back and forth between a Japanese and Yankee way of pronouncing terms.

But these terms are beyond culture or place, and just being Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese or Indian has little to do with it. The "right" way to say them is not about that.

Gassho, Jundo

Ps- Treeleaf is a "real" Zendo. :evil:

[disastermouse]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

Gassho. Is it 'Gas-hoe' or 'Ga-show'?

[spinpsychle]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

Ps- Treeleaf is a "real" Zendo. :evil:

Oh, I know! It's one of those things where choice of wording can be tricky, like where even though I have no independent self, I still have to refer to me somehow, so I may still use the word "self." How else may I say it? Um. One that reinforces the illusion of permanence by having a terrestrial meeting space, form world address, and so on? I thought it easier to throw out some quotation marks and hope nobody notices. That sure worked. :wink:

- Mike

[Jundo]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

Ps- Treeleaf is a "real" Zendo. :evil:

Oh, I know! It's one of those things where choice of wording can be tricky, like where even though I have no independent self, I still have to refer to me somehow, so I may still use the word "self." How else may I say it? Um. One that reinforces the illusion of permanence by having a terrestrial meeting space, form world address, and so on? I thought it easier to throw out some quotation marks and hope nobody notices. That sure worked. :wink:

- Mike

Oh, you are absolutely -not- "real". 8)

[Brock]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

Gassho. Is it 'Gas-hoe' or 'Ga-show'?

That's what I want to know!

I googled it and found a place that says that it's pronounced, "gah sho."

[Jundo]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

Gassho. Is it 'Gas-hoe' or 'Ga-show'?

That's what I want to know!

I googled it and found a place that says that it's pronounced, "gah sho."

Ga (rhymes with "ma and pa") and sho (like "let's go to a show")

Gassho, Jundo

[chicanobudista]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

I always pronounce Spanish language wise:

Ga-cho.

Which makes laugh cuz it's also the word for "meany" or "mean" in Spanish. :mrgreen:

[Brock]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

I always pronounce Spanish language wise:

Ga-cho.

Gesundheit!

[will]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

Gassho = Ga show

Interesting. I've Always pronounced it Ga sow according to how I've heard it.


Will

[Brock]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

What about the "Shakyamuni" in Shakyamuni Buddha?

[Jundo]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

What about the "Shakyamuni" in Shakyamuni Buddha?

Rhymes with "Shake your Booty" :twisted:

Actually, more like "shock" (as in "shock absorber") ya (as in German "ya = yes") "muni" (rhymes with "loony" of "loonytunes")

You know, I could make an audio/video tape. My concern is that I still have a bit of an unavoidable American accent when I speak Japanese and Chinese. (Like asking a fellow from Shanghai how to pronounce the Queen's English). But, I may do it with a Japanese friend. Let me think about the best way.

Gassho, Jundo (as in the "the month of June" and "Doe a dear")

[Jinho]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

Gassho. Is it 'Gas-hoe' or 'Ga-show'?

That's what I want to know!

I googled it and found a place that says that it's pronounced, "gah sho."

Hi,

I have always heard it pronounced as "gah sho" with equal emphasis of both sylables.

gassho,
jinho

[Jinyu]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

What about the "Shakyamuni" in Shakyamuni Buddha?

Rhymes with "Shake your Booty" :twisted:

:roll: Don't be afraid he's a Zen Master :mrgreen:

It's funny, the discussion you are having about pronunciation.
I've never heard something like that, it must be because of the French language. We always pronunciate the words as they are written, of course we don't say Avalokiteshvara or sattipattana sutta in every sentence.

It's just funny to see how our mothertongue conditionate the way we think or act...

Gassho,
Luis

[Tobiishi]

Re: Pronunciation of Zen terms

Howz about a pronunciation for Eihei? In my head its 'ee-hay'