禅

• Reading: ぜん
• Romaji: zen
• Kanji breakdown: 禅 (zen) — Zen, meditation, contemplation
• Pronunciation: /zeɴ/

Meaning

Zen; a school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasising meditation and direct insight.

A noun referring to the Zen tradition of Buddhism, which stresses zazen (seated meditation) and the pursuit of enlightenment through direct experience rather than scripture. Major Japanese Zen schools include 臨済宗 (Rinzai) and 曹洞宗 (Soutou). Common compounds: 禅寺 (zendera, Zen temple), 座禅 (zazen, seated meditation), 禅問答 (zen mondou, Zen dialogue/riddle). The word has entered English as 'Zen.'

Examples

1. 京都の禅寺で座禅を体験した。 I experienced seated meditation at a Zen temple in Kyoto.
2. 禅の考え方は海外でも人気がある。 Zen philosophy is popular overseas as well.
3. 毎朝十分間の禅を心がけている。 I make it a habit to practice Zen for ten minutes every morning.

Usage Guide

Context: religion, philosophy, mindfulness

Tone: contemplative

Origin & History

From Sanskrit dhyāna (meditation), transliterated into Chinese as 禪那 (chánna), shortened to 禪/禅. The character combines 示 (altar/spiritual) and 単 (simple), reflecting the simplicity central to Zen practice.

Cultural Context

Era: Medieval

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal