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Zen

Pronunciation: /zɛn/

(also Zen Buddhism)
Definition of Zen

noun

[mass noun]
  • a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition rather than ritual worship or study of scriptures.

Zen Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China in the 12th century, and has had a profound cultural influence. The aim of Zen is to achieve sudden enlightenment (satori) through meditation in a seated posture (zazen), usually under the guidance of a teacher and often using paradoxical statements (koans) to transcend rational thought

Derivatives

Zenist

(also Zennist) noun ( rare)

Origin:

Japanese, literally 'meditation', from Chinese chán 'quietude', from Sanskrit dhyāna 'meditation'

Zen in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of Zen in the US English dictionary
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