Zen: 8 definitions
Introduction:
Zen means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
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In Buddhism
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Buddhist Door: GlossaryZen (also called Chan);—see Contemplation and Meditation.
Source: WikiPedia: BuddhismZen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism, referred to in Chinese as Chan. Chan is itself derived from the Sanskrit Dhyana, which means "meditation".
Zen emphasizes experiential wisdom and mdash;particularly as realized in the form of meditation known as zazen and mdash;in the attainment of awakening, often simply called the path of enlightenment. As such, it de emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and the study of religious texts in favor of direct, experiential realization through meditation and dharma practice.
Within Zen, there are various legends and mythologies, largely a part of Chinese and Japanese folklore, which must be carefully distinguished from Zen history.
Source: Shambala Publications: GeneralZen Jap., an abbreviation of the word zenna (also zenno), the Japanese way of reading Chinese ch’an-na (short form, ch’an). This in turn is the Chinese version of the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which refers to collectedness of mind or meditative absorption in which all dualistic distinctions like I/you, subject/object, and true/ false are eliminated. Zen can be defined both exoterically and esoterically.
Exoterically regarded, Zen, or Ch’an as it is called when referring to its history in China, is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism that developed in China in the 6th and 7th centuries from the meeting of Dhyāna Buddhism, which was brought to China by Bodhidharma, and Taoism. In this sense Zen is a religion, the teachings and practices of which are directed toward self-realization and lead finally to complete awakening as experienced by Shākyamuni Buddha after intensive meditative self-discipline under the Bodhi-tree. More than any other school, Zen stresses the prime importance of the enlightenment experience and the uselessness of ritual religious practices and intellectual analysis of doctrine for the attainment of liberation. Zen teaches the practice of zazen, sitting in meditative absorption as the shortest, but also the steepest, way to awakening.
The essential nature of Zen can be summarized in four short statements:
- “[a] special transmission outside the [orthodox] teaching”;
- nondependence on [sacred] writings”; and
- “direct pointing [to the] human heart”; leading to
- realization of [one’s own] nature [and] becoming a buddha.”
This pregnant characterization of Zen is attributed by tradition to Bodhidharma, its first patriarch; however, many modern scholars suspect that it originated rather with the later Ch’an master Nan-ch’uan P’u-yuan (Jap., Nansen Fugan).
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Zende, Zende balada hullu, Zendu, Zenduk, Zeng-jil, Zengeza, Zenina, Zenjabil, Zenkey su nya, Zenya, Zenzue.
Ends with: Aizen, Buar-zen, Citizen, Fuke Zen, Ichinen Sanzen, Kezen, Kizzen, Maudzen, Oka azen, Rozen, Sezen, Tlitliltzen, Zazen.
Full-text (+108): Buar-zen, Bodhidharma, Hui Neng, Chan, Fuke Zen, Roshi, Honkyoku, Dogen, Kung-an, Rathasana, Buddhist Music, Satori, Jivaka, Michepa, Lamchenten, Nakula, Abheda, Vajraputra, Kanakabhadra, Munimandalasutra.
Relevant text
Search found 56 books and stories containing Zen; (plurals include: Zens). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Zen Buddhism – Japan (The Direct Method to < [July – September, 1994]
Thoreau and Zen Buddhism < [October – December, 2001]
The Oriental element in Henry Miller < [January – March, 1990]
Archives of Social Sciences of Religions
Zen in Warfare: The Intersection of Zen and Conflict, 1868-1945 < [Volume 122 (2003)]
Obaku Zen: The Rise of the Third Sect in Tokugawa Japan < [Volume 136 (2006)]
Zen War Stories by Brian Daizen Victoria < [Volume 142 (2008)]
Theravada Buddhist studies in Japan (by Keiko Soda)
4. Kamakura Period (1185-1333 A.D.) < [Chapter 1 - The history of Japanese Buddhism]
4. Japanese Universities and studies in Buddhism < [Chapter 4 - Theravada Buddhist studies in Japan]
5. Muromachi Azuchi Momoyama period (1336-1600) < [Chapter 1 - The history of Japanese Buddhism]
Dhyana in the Buddhist Literature (by Truong Thi Thuy La)
1.2: Survey of Researches already Conducted on the Topic < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
3.2 (b): The Dhyāna in the Prajñāpāramitā-sūtra < [Chapter 3 - The Dhyāna in Mahāyāna Literature]
3.1 (b): The Bodhisattva Ideal < [Chapter 3 - The Dhyāna in Mahāyāna Literature]
Buddha-nature (as Depicted in the Lankavatara-sutra) (by Nguyen Dac Sy)
2.2. Chan and the Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra < [Chapter 6 - Further Development of the Thought of Buddha-nature in China]
2.1. The Thought of Buddha-nature in Chan < [Chapter 6 - Further Development of the Thought of Buddha-nature in China]
Bodhinyana (by Ajahn Chah)
Part 4 - The Empty Flag < [Chapter 4 - The Two Faces Of Reality]
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