Zen

[ zen ]

noun

1. Chinese Ch'an [chahn]. Buddhism. a Mahayana movement, introduced into China in the 6th century a.d. and into Japan in the 12th century, that emphasizes enlightenment for the student by means of meditation and direct, intuitive insights, accepting formal studies and observances only when they form part of such means. Compare koan, mondo ¹.
2. the discipline and practice of this sect.
3. (lowercase) a state of meditative calm in which one uses direct, intuitive insights as a way of thinking and acting.

adjective

1. of or relating to Zen Buddhism:

   Zen monasteries.

2. having characteristics or qualities associated with the discipline or practice of Zen Buddhism:

   Fishing is a Zen hobby.

3. (sometimes lowercase) relaxed and calmly accepting of a situation:

   I’m usually very Zen about my investments.

Zen

/ zɛn /

noun

1. a Japanese school, of 12th-century Chinese origin, teaching that contemplation of one's essential nature to the exclusion of all else is the only way of achieving pure enlightenment
2. modifier of or relating to this school

   Zen Buddhism

Zen

1. An approach to religion, arising from Buddhism , that seeks religious enlightenment by meditation in which there is no consciousness of self.

Notes

Deliberately irrational statements are sometimes used in Zen to jar persons into realizing the limits of the common uses of the intellect. One well-known example is, “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”

Derived Forms

• ˈZenic, adjective
• ˈZenist, noun

Other Words From

• Zenic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Zen¹

First recorded in 1725–30; < Japanese, from Middle Chinese, equivalent to Mandarin Chinese chán “meditation, contemplation,” from Pali jhāna, from Sanskrit dhyāna, from the verb dhyāti “he meditates” (i.e., “sees mentally”), ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root (and its variants) dheiə-, dhyeə-, dhyā- “to look, see.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Zen¹

from Japanese, from Chinese ch'an religious meditation, from Pali jhāna, from Sanskrit dhyāna

Example Sentences

Marsh, on the other hand, has a Zen poet’s approach to life.

From Outside Online

The post Zen and the Art of Ignoring a Bike Lane Obstruction appeared first on Outside Online.

From Outside Online

He was convinced that the mindfulness training embedded within Zen practice could be enormously valuable to Western patients suffering from chronic illness, depression, and anxiety.

From Nautilus

In 1979, an American biologist and student of Zen named Jon Kabat-Zinn began developing a secular approach to mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

From Nautilus

The Zen master Andre Agassi solved Boris Becker’s serve by figuring out that Becker stuck his tongue out on his lip, literally pointing to where he was going to place it in the service box — center, left or right.

From Washington Post

The King returns to Cleveland, a battered Kobe battles in the West, and the Zen Master is christened the savior of New York.

From The Daily Beast

Those words were said by Joshu Sasaki Roshi, who ordained Leonard Cohen as a Zen monk in 1996.

From The Daily Beast

When he emerged from the Zen monastery on Mount Baldy, his enlightenment was followed with an all too worldly disaster.

From The Daily Beast

As Neil attempts to discover himself, he regularly seeks the advice of a Buddhist Zen Master.

From The Daily Beast

Not according to Haze, who is decidedly Zen about his Method approach to Ballard.

From The Daily Beast

Zen-ed-din paid him handsomely for his trouble, and added some words of good advice.

From Project Gutenberg

We must zen see ze city, ze illumination, ze dance, ze pyrotechnic at night.

From Project Gutenberg

I sall away to ze Kasbah, and zen in due time look for ze swoop of ze French zouaves.

From Project Gutenberg

This was the Zen sect, introduced in its various branches from China.

From Project Gutenberg

Moi, zen connaiz-un, 130 francs, mais zi peux ti lavoir pour 95.

From Project Gutenberg