dokusan

Dokusan is a private, one-on-one interview between a Zen student and their teacher, used in Japanese Zen monasteries and many Zen centers around the world. The term comes from Japanese 独参, commonly translated as a private or solitary interview. In practice, dokusan is distinct from, though sometimes paired with, sanzen, a related private meeting with the teacher.

The main purpose of dokusan is to assess a student’s progress, provide instruction, and determine the next steps in their practice. During a session, the student sits facing the teacher and presents their understanding of a koan (in schools that use koan study), or discusses their current meditation practice, insights, and any obstacles they face. The teacher responds with questions, challenges, or guidance, and may assign a new koan or adjust the focus of practice. Sessions are confidential and typically brief, often ranging from about 10 to 30 minutes, and are scheduled regularly—weekly or biweekly in many Rinzai settings, with Soto contexts sometimes arranging sessions more flexibly.

In Rinzai Zen, dokusan is central to the koan curriculum: the student must demonstrate a sufficiently clear and penetrating understanding of a koan to proceed. In Soto Zen, dokusan serves more generally as a check on daily practice, including zazen, chanting, and mindfulness, and may occur less formally or frequently.

Etiquette emphasizes humility, honesty, and focus: students come prepared with a clear account of their practice, respond concisely to questions, and refrain from theatrics; the teacher offers precise guidance and may assign further practice tasks. Practices and expectations for dokusan can vary by lineage and center, but the aim remains to support authentic understanding and steady practice.