Zen meaning

zĕn
Zen is a type of Buddhism that focuses on awareness through the practice of meditation.

An example of Zen is a rock garden that is tended to meditate.

noun
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(informal) A philosophy of calm, reminiscent of that of the Buddhist denomination.
noun
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The definition of zen is slang for feeling peaceful and relaxed.

An example of zen as an adjective is to have a zen experience, how you feel during a day at the spa.

adjective
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5
(colloquial) Extremely relaxed and collected.
adjective
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(religion) A denomination of Buddhism elaborated in Japan.
noun
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4
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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.

noun
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1
Designating, of, or characteristic of Zen Buddhism.
adjective
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0
A school of Mahayana Buddhism that asserts that enlightenment can be attained through meditation, self-contemplation, and intuition rather than through faith and devotion and that is practiced mainly in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
noun
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2
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.
noun
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1
The teachings and discipline of this kind of Buddhism.
noun
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1
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(colloquial) Extremely relaxed and collected.
adjective
1
0
(religion) A denomination of Buddhism.
noun
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(religion) Pertaining to this denomination of Buddhism.
adjective
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(1) A social collaboration platform. See blueKiwi ZEN.
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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 禅 (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

Zen Sentence Examples

  • Her chilled, zen personality was especially helpful in stressful situations.

  • This form of mansion underwent little modification until the 12th century, when the introduction of the Zen sect of Buddhism with its contemplative practice called for greater privacy.

  • With two children and a hectic job, a state of zen was seemingly impossible for Janet.

  • She writes of the ' twisted ' interpretation of Zen koans.

  • While planning their trip to Japan, Kate made sure they had time to visit a Buddhist Zen garden and meditate.

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Words near zen in the Dictionary