Zen Buddhism

"Zen" in modern Chinese script

English: Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that developed in China during the 6th century as Chán. From China, Zen spread south to Vietnam, northeast to Korea and east to Japan.

The word Zen is derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the Middle Chinese word 禪 (dʑjen) (Modern Mandarin: Chán), which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "absorption" or "meditative state".

Zen emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment and the personal expression of direct insight in the Buddhist teachings. As such, it de-emphasizes mere knowledge of sutras and doctrine and favors direct understanding through zazen and interaction with an accomplished teacher.

Practitioners

• 
  Bodhidharma
• 
  Daruma
• 
  Huineng
• 
  Dogen
• 
  Hakuin
• 
  Keizan
• 
  A modern practitioner

Locales

• 
  Kaneiji, Japan (1800s)
• 
  Tomb of Takuan Soho at Tokaiji Temple, Japan
• 
  Gesshoji (Akashi)
• 
  Sengakuji Temple, Japan
• 
  Sojiji Soin Temple, Japan
• 
  Sōjiji Temple, Japan
• 
  Tainei-ji (Nagato), Japan
• 
  Zuiryu-ji Temple, Japan
• 
  Dharma Field Zen Center, Minneapolis
• 
  Zendo, Oldorp, Netherlands
• 
  Zen Center, Berkeley, California
• 
  Great Vow Zen Monastery, Oregon
• 
  Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, Marin County, California
• 
  Meditation path, Mount Baldy Zen Center, California
• 
  Rochester Zen Center, New York
• 
  Sonoma Mountain Zen Center, California
• 
  Yokoki Zen Mountain Center, California
• 
  Zen Mountain Monastery, New York

Tools

• 
  Zafu, traditional Japanese meditation cushion
• 
  Keisaku, cane to awaken sleepyheads
• 
  Zazen bell, with Enso circle
• 
  Looking for the Ox, first image in the Ox-herding pictures
• 
  Meditation hall
• 
  Traditional Japanese rock garden, close-up
• 
  "Sumi-e" ink wash painting (translation: No Spiritual Meaning)
• 
  Koan, teaching question (pictured: "Wu", or "nothing", potential answer to the Zhaozhou's Dog koan)
• 
  Śūnyatā, or "emptiness"