Zen Definition

zĕn
noun
A variety of Buddhism, now practiced esp. in Japan, Vietnam, and Korea, seeking to attain an intuitive illumination of mind and spirit through meditation, esp. on paradoxes.
Webster's New World
An approach to an activity, skill, or subject that emphasizes simplicity and intuition rather than conventional thinking or fixation on goals.
The zen of cooking.
American Heritage
The teachings and discipline of this kind of Buddhism.
Webster's New World

(religion) A denomination of Buddhism.

Wiktionary

(informal) A philosophy of calm, reminiscent of that of the Buddhist denomination.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
adjective
Designating, of, or characteristic of Zen Buddhism.
Webster's New World

(colloquial) Extremely relaxed and collected.

Wiktionary

(religion) Pertaining to this denomination of Buddhism.

Wiktionary

(colloquial) Extremely relaxed and collected.

Wiktionary

Origin of Zen

  • Japanese zen from Early Middle Chinese dʑian meditation (also the source of Mandarin chán) from Pali jhānaṃ from Sanskrit dhyānam from dhyāti he meditates

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Japanese (zen ぜん), from Middle Chinese 禪 (É–jen) (compare Mandarin 禅 Chán), an abbreviation of 禪那 (É–jen-na), from Sanskrit ध्यान (dhyāna, “a type of meditation"). Akin to dhyana.

    From Wiktionary

  • Japanese 禅, from (禅那 zenna; Mandarin: chánnà), a derivation from the Sanskrit term ध्यान (dhyāna; Pāli: jhāna), which refers to a specific type or aspect of meditation.

    From Wiktionary

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