zen

Thân thiện

A person sits in a zen meditation posture in a quiet garden.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A school of Mahayana Buddhism: A major school of Buddhism, particularly prominent in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, that emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment through meditation, intuition, and direct personal experience rather than through scripture, ritual, or intellectual understanding alone.
   • The direct, intuitive insight into one's true nature: The experiential realization or enlightenment sought in Zen practice, often described as seeing into one's own nature.
   • (Informal/Slang) A state of calm, focused attentiveness: A colloquial use meaning a state of relaxed concentration or peaceful absorption in an activity.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Buddhist School):

  • He has practiced Zen for over twenty years.
  • The monastery is a center for Zen study and meditation.

• Noun (Intuitive Insight/State):

  • The artist described the moment of creation as a moment of pure Zen.
  • After hours of fishing, he achieved a kind of Zen, completely at peace with the world.

Advanced Usage

• "Zen-like" (adjective): Characterized by simplicity, calm, and a focus on the present moment.
  • The garden had a Zen-like tranquility.
• "Zen master": A teacher recognized as having deep attainment in Zen practice.
  • The student sought guidance from a renowned Zen master.

Variants and Related Words

• Zen Buddhism: The full name for the religious tradition.
• Zazen: The core meditative practice of Zen, meaning "seated meditation."
• Koan: A paradoxical anecdote or riddle used in Zen practice to provoke doubt and test a student's understanding.

Synonyms

• Meditation (in the context of the practice or state)
• Enlightenment (as the goal)
• Serenity (for the colloquial sense of calm)

Related Idioms & Phrases

• "The sound of one hand clapping": A famous Zen koan used to transcend logical thinking.
• "Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.": A Zen saying illustrating that realization is found in ordinary, mindful activity.

Học thuật

Noun

1. street name for lysergic acid diethylamide
2. a Buddhist doctrine that enlightenment can be attained through direct intuitive insight
3. school of Mahayana Buddhism asserting that enlightenment can come through meditation and intuition rather than faith; China and Japan

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Zen
• Zen Buddhism