禅 (chán) - Chan/Zen — refers to Chan Buddhism (Zen) & meditation

禅Tone 2

chán ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

偲嫦

禅 · chán

Chan/Zen — refers to Chan Buddhism (Zen);

meditation;

abdication of throne;

also used in words for contemplation and spiritual practice.

Chan/Zen — refers to Chan Buddhism (Zen)meditationabdication of throne

Usage highlights

Zen BuddhismZen meditationZen masterZen sayingZen stateZen garden

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 俗— secular, worldly
  • 躁— restless, agitated

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He practices Zen meditation (禅坐).
  • This temple follows the Chan school (禅宗).
  • The emperor abdicated the throne (禅位).
  • She attended a Zen meditation retreat (禅修).

Collocations

  • Zen Buddhism(禅宗)
  • Zen meditation(禅坐)
  • Zen master(禅师)
  • Zen saying(禅语)
  • Zen state(禅定)
  • Zen garden(禅园)

Idioms

  • Point directly to the human mind(直指人心)
  • See one's nature and become a Buddha(见性成佛)
  • Not establishing words and letters(不立文字)
  • Outside the teaching, separate transmission(教外别传)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originated from Sanskrit 'dhyāna' meaning meditation, transmitted to China as Chan Buddhism.
  • Developed into Zen in Japan, emphasizing direct experience and meditation over scriptures.
  • Historically also used in political context for imperial abdication rituals.

FAQ