Zen or Zen Buddhism is a form of the Buddhist religion that concentrates on meditation rather than on studying religious writings.
Zen in British English
(zɛn) Buddhism
noun
1.
a Japanese school, of 12th-century Chinese origin, teaching that contemplation of one's essential nature to the exclusion of all else is the only way of achieving pure enlightenment
2. (modifier)
of or relating to this school
Zen Buddhism
Derived forms
Zenic (ˈZenic)
adjective
Zenist (ˈZenist)
noun
Word origin
from Japanese, from Chinese ch'an religious meditation, from Pali jhāna, from Sanskrit dhyāna
Zen in American English
(zɛn)
noun
1.
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
2.
the teachings and discipline of this kind of Buddhism
adjective
3.
designating or of Zen Buddhism
Word origin
Jpn < Chin ch'an, ult. < Sans dhyāna, thinking, meditation < IE base *dhyā, to see, contemplate > Gr sēma, a sign, symbol
Examples of 'Zen' in a sentence
Zen
We might cook a healthy meal and eat it with a glass of wine or just enjoy a few Zen moments together.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
No last-minute cramming, no drinking, early nights, lots of pasta and some Zen thinking, as I'm sure the real battle will be fought in my head.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It's all there in Zen, but to make it work you must be is a master.