Zen

[ zen ]

noun

Chinese Ch'an [chahn] /tʃɑn/ .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, mondo¹.
the discipline and practice of this sect.

(lowercase) a state of meditative calm in which one uses direct, intuitive insights as a way of thinking and acting.

adjective

of or relating to Zen Buddhism: Zen monasteries.
having characteristics or qualities associated with the discipline or practice of Zen Buddhism: Fishing is a Zen hobby.

(sometimes lowercase) relaxed and calmly accepting of a situation: I’m usually very Zen about my investments.

Origin of Zen

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.”

Also called Zen Buddhism (for defs. 1, 2) .

Other words from Zen

Zenic, adjective

Words Nearby Zen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Zen in a sentence

Marsh, on the other hand, has a Zen poet’s approach to life.
The Battle for Beacon’s Beach | jversteegh | December 13, 2021 | Outside Online
The post Zen and the Art of Ignoring a Bike Lane Obstruction appeared first on Outside Online.
Zen and the Art of Ignoring a Bike Lane Obstruction | wtaylor | December 10, 2021 | 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.
A Quiet Path Out of the Coronavirus Shadow - Issue 98: Mind | Clayton Dalton | March 31, 2021 | 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.
A Quiet Path Out of the Coronavirus Shadow - Issue 98: Mind | Clayton Dalton | March 31, 2021 | 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.
Dissecting athletic greatness: Nature, nurture, lucky breaks and a ‘quiet eye’ | Liz Robbins | December 11, 2020 | 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.
2014 NBA Preview: Skinny LeBron and the Racist Ghost of Donald Sterling | Robert Silverman | October 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Those words were said by Joshu Sasaki Roshi, who ordained Leonard Cohen as a Zen monk in 1996.
Excuse Me For Not Dying: Leonard Cohen at 80 | David Yaffe | September 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
When he emerged from the Zen monastery on Mount Baldy, his enlightenment was followed with an all too worldly disaster.
Excuse Me For Not Dying: Leonard Cohen at 80 | David Yaffe | September 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
As Neil attempts to discover himself, he regularly seeks the advice of a Buddhist Zen Master.
Is ‘Satisfaction’ a Love Story That’s Too Real About Sex and Marriage? | David Masciotra | September 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Not according to Haze, who is decidedly Zen about his Method approach to Ballard.
Scott Haze on Playing a Necrophiliac in ‘Child of God’ and Naked Paintballing with James Franco | Melissa Leon | August 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Zen-ed-din paid him handsomely for his trouble, and added some words of good advice.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine Vol. IV, No. 19, Dec 1851 | Various
We must Zen see ze city, ze illumination, ze dance, ze pyrotechnic at night.
The Four Corners Abroad | Amy Ella Blanchard
I sall away to ze Kasbah, and Zen in due time look for ze swoop of ze French zouaves.
Miss Caprice | St. George Rathborne
This was the Zen sect, introduced in its various branches from China.
Japan | Various
Moi, Zen connaiz-un, 130 francs, mais zi peux ti lavoir pour 95.
In the Land of Mosques & Minarets | Francis Miltoun

British Dictionary definitions for Zen

Zen

/ (zɛn) Buddhism /

noun

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
(modifier) of or relating to this school: Zen Buddhism

Origin of Zen

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

Derived forms of Zen

Zenic, adjective
Zenist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for Zen

Zen

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

Notes for Zen

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?”

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