Zen, n. & adj.

zen
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zen_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# Zennoun & adjective

## Earlier version

- Zen in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the word Zen mean?

There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the word Zen. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How common is the word Zen?

About 4occurrences per million words in modern written English

1750 | 0.045
1760 | 0.05
1770 | 0.059
1780 | 0.065
1790 | 0.057
1800 | 0.05
1810 | 0.043
1820 | 0.045
1830 | 0.047
1840 | 0.042
1850 | 0.044
1860 | 0.045
1870 | 0.051
1880 | 0.066
1890 | 0.11
1900 | 0.23
1910 | 0.44
1920 | 0.77
1930 | 1.0
1940 | 1.4
1950 | 2.0
1960 | 3.0
1970 | 3.5
1980 | 3.9
1990 | 3.9
2000 | 4.1
2010 | 4.0

### How is the word Zen pronounced?

#### British English

/zɛn/
zen

#### U.S. English

/zɛn/
zen

### Where does the word Zen come from?

Earliest known use

early 1700s

The earliest known use of the word Zen is in the early 1700s.

OED's earliest evidence for Zen is from 1727, in a translation by John Scheuchzer, physician and naturalist.

Zen is a borrowing from Japanese.

Etymons: Japanese zen.

### Nearby entries

1. zelotypy, n. 1623–1794
2. Zemblan, n. & adj. 1674–1805
3. Zemblian, n. & adj. 1674–1796
4. zemi, n. 1555–
5. zemiistic, adj. 1907–
6. zemirah, n. 1767–
7. zemni, n. 1775–
8. Zemsky Sobor, n. 1877–
9. zemstvo, n. 1865–
10. zemstvoist, n. 1904–
11. Zen, n. & adj.1727–
12. Zen, v. 1968–
13. zenana, n. & adj. 1761–
14. zenana cloth, n. 1885–
15. Zen Buddhist, adj. & n. 1917–
16. Zend, n. & adj. 1700–
17. zendaletto, n. 1789–
18. Zend-Avesta, n. 1630–
19. Zend-Avestaic, adj. 1816
20. Zend-Avestan, adj. & n. 1871–
21. Zend-Avestic, adj. 1864–

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Japanese.
Etymon: Japanese zen.
< Japanese zen particular school of Buddhism which emphasizes meditation (c1335; more fully zenshū, lit. ‘meditation sect, Zen sect’ (c1335; 1603 as jenxû in Vocabulario da Lingoa de Iapam)), specific…
< Japanese zen particular school of Buddhism which emphasizes meditation (c1335; more fully zenshū, lit. ‘meditation sect, Zen sect’ (c1335; 1603 as jenxû in Vocabulario da Lingoa de Iapam)), specific use of zen Buddhist meditation (early 10th cent.; < Middle Chinese; compare Chinese chán Chan n.).

### Notes

In quot. 1727 (with the form Sen) via German †Sen (a1716 in the passage translated; now written Zen, probably after English); initial s- is voiced in German.

## Meaning & use

1. noun
   1. 1.
      1727–
      A Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and personal awareness rather than ritual worship or study of scriptures; the discipline or practice of this. Also more fully Zen Buddhism. Cf. Chan n.
      Zen practice makes use of seated meditation (cf. zazen n.) as a means of experiencing insight and enlightenment (cf. satori n.).
      Originally introduced to Japan from China, Zen Buddhism became profoundly influential in Japanese life and culture from the 13th cent.
      Interest in Zen increased considerably in the West in the second half of the 20th cent., and in popular understanding its practice is associated particularly with a state of acceptance or inner calm: compare senses A.2, A.3, and see note at mindfulness n. 2.
      1. 1727

         > In the 1850 streets of this city, there were 1050 [families] of the Ten Dai's Religion,..11016 of Sen [Ger. Sen].

         J. G. Scheuchzer, translation of E. Kæmpfer, History of Japan vol. I. ii. v. 199
      2. 1833

         > There are now in Japan the following sects which are tolerated by government. 1. Zen... 5. Singon... Singon means to repeat true psalms.

         Chinese Repository vol. 2 323
      3. 1893

         > Japan, emerging from the civil wars of the two preceding dynasties, began a new art life under the influence of Zen-Buddhism.

         Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago) 27 September (Illustr. Supplement) 4/2
      4. 1911

         > Meditation came to have more weight than the other two factors, until in China and Japan there arose a sect, the Zen..in which it is the most essential part of the entire teaching.

         Encyclopaedia of Religion & Ethics vol. IV. 704/1
      5. 1947

         > Taoism and nature mysticism, transmitted through the vehicle of Zen Buddhism.

         Architectural Review vol. 102 32/2
      6. 1960

         > What do they know about Zen—the programme-writer, the film-makers, the beatniks, the lot?

         Spectator 15 July 101
      7. 2015

         > An off-shoot of Zen Buddhism, the ancient art of mindfulness is used to promote good mental and physical health.

         Sunday Life (Belfast) (Nexis) 27 December 24
      Buddhism
      1. Zen 1727–
         A Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and personal awareness rather than ritual worship or study of scriptures…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 2.
      1934–
      In Zen Buddhism: a state of insight and enlightenment. Also more generally: a state of calmness or serenity of mind, emotions, etc.
      1. 1934

         > Hōyen..used to produce his own hand and ask his disciples, why it was called a hand? When we know the reason, there is satori and we have Zen.

         D. T. Suzuki, Introd. Zen Buddhism vii. 102
      2. 1978

         > The fallacy is to think that one has to go somewhere to attain Zen.

         Philos. East & West vol. 25 177
      3. 1997

         > By achieving one's personal potential through self-actualization, a person achieves Zen.

         Monograph (University Calif., Berkeley, Martial Arts Program) vol. 3 132
      4. 2016

         > You awake on January 1 after a lavender-and-warm-milk-induced sleep, ready to take on the capital with your new found zen and an aromatherapy gift set.

         Time Out London 12 January 12/3
      Buddhism
      1. sabi 1932–
         An aesthetic or world view characterized by finding beauty or serenity in imperfection and impermanence, for example in an object that has acquired…
      2. Zen 1934–
         In Zen Buddhism: a state of insight and enlightenment. Also more generally: a state of calmness or serenity of mind, emotions, etc.
      3. koan 1946–
         Zen Buddhism. A paradox put to a student to stimulate his or her mind.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 3.
      1973–
      In extended use: any activity, experience, attitude, or approach considered to embody qualities resembling or characteristic of Zen Buddhism, such as meditative calmness, serenity, self-reflection, etc. Cf. sense B
      Frequently (often somewhat humorously) in titles of the form Zen and the art of —, chiefly modelled on R. M. Pirsig's 1974 book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (see quot. 1974), itself a play on the title of a 1948 German work Zen in der Kunst des Bogenschießens (Zen in the Art of Archery) by Eugen Herrigel.
      1. 1973

         > Presumably the idea is for the listener to saturate himself in the pure sound, concentrating, departing to other spheres, on a cloud of musical Zen.

         New York Times 4 February ii.d. 15/4
      2. 1974

         > Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance.

         R. M. Pirsig (title)
      3. 2003

         > The moment of footballing Zen, where time stops and you and the telly become one.

         Daily Telegraph (Sydney) (Nexis) 13 June b12
      4. 2004

         > Phil Jackson can volunteer to help those like myself who are vertically challenged, and chronicle the experiences in his book ‘Zen and the Art of Reaching Things on Real Tall Shelves’.

         Chicago Tribune (Midwest edition) 11 July xiii. 2/4
      5. 2012

         > I don't know if it's musical Zen or something, but if you aim for the mark, you will miss it, but if you just feel it..you can get into the zone.

         Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne) (Nexis) 8 April 3
      Buddhism
2. adjective
   1. 1962–
      Reminiscent of Zen Buddhism. Also more generally: calm and relaxed; serene. Cf. sense A.3.
      1. 1962

         > I tried to rub one stick together to make a fire. This is very Zen—but not very Boy Scout.

         Times 21 November 26/3
      2. 1989

         > Rhoda was curled up on the back seat using her raincoat for a pillow, trying to think zen thoughts and live the moment and seize the day and so forth.

         E. Gilchrist, Light can be both Wave & Particle 152
      3. 2010

         > She was very zen and happy enough to be in my lap, but would crane her neck to look at me once in a while to see just what was up.

         New Yorker 10 May 47/3
      Buddhism
      1. even Old English–
         Of the mind, a person's temper or temperament, etc.: free from perturbation; calm, tranquil, equable, unruffled.
      2. still 1340–
         Free from commotion. Settled, unperturbed in mind. †Also, in mystical language, said of one that has attained to freedom from passion.
      3. unperturbed a1450–
         Not perturbed; untroubled, undisturbed.
      4. unmoved c1480–
         Not moved by emotion or excitement; unaffected, undisturbed; collected, calm.
      5. tranquil 1481–
         Free from agitation or disturbance; calm, serene, placid, quiet, peaceful. Of the mind, or affairs.
      6. quietful 1494–
         Full of quiet; peaceful, calm.
      7. lown a1500–
         Esp. of a person: gentle, calm, quiet.
      8. equal 1529–1842
         Of a person’s demeanour, state of mind, etc.: even and calm; undisturbed, unruffled. Also of a person’s tone of voice: indicative of a calm demeanour…
      9. calm a1568–
         Free from agitation or disturbance; quiet, still, tranquil, serene; without wind, not stormy. transferred and figurative of sound, utterance…
      10. calmy a1586–
          Characterized by calm; tranquil, peaceful. figurative of thoughts, feelings, etc. (rare.)
      11. unpassionate a1586–
          Of a person, disposition, etc.: not susceptible to or influenced by passion or strong emotion; calm, self-possessed; (less neutrally) unfeeling…
      12. smartless 1593–
          Free from pain or irritation; (also) that does not cause smarting.
      13. reposeful 1594–
          Characterized by repose; having a calm or restful air; tranquil, quiet.
      14. dispassionate 1595–
          Free from the influence of passion or strong emotion; calm, composed, cool; impartial. Said of persons, their faculties, and actions.
      15. recollected 1595–
          Collected, composed, calm; (also) given up to or absorbed in religious contemplation. In attributive use.
      16. unaffected c1595–
          Not affected or influenced in mind or feeling; untouched, unmoved. Also const. by, †to, †with.
      17. collected 1601–
          Of a person or a person's mind, thoughts, etc.: calm, composed, self-controlled.
      18. unpassioned?1605–
          Free from or lacking in passion or strong emotion; dispassionate. Cf. unpassionate, adj.
      19. unpassionated 1611–1850
          Dispassionate. Cf. unpassionate, adj.
      20. untouched 1616–
          Not affected or prejudiced in mind or feeling; not biassed or moved by excitement or emotion; unmoved, undisturbed, calm.
      21. impassionate 1621–
          Free from, or not governed by, passion; calm, dispassionate.
      22. composed 1628–
          Having one's feelings or passions under control; calm and self-possessed, tranquil. The opposite of excited, distracted.
      23. dispassioned a1631–1761
          transitive. To free from passion. Chiefly in participial adj. disˈpassioned adj.
      24. tranquillous 1638–56
          = tranquil, adj.
      25. slow 1639–
          Without construction. Of a person, a person's temper, disposition, etc.: not easily roused; not readily moved to anger or impatience. Cf. quick, adj.…
      26. serene 1640–
          Of a person, his or her mind, circumstances, etc.: Calm, tranquil, untroubled, unperturbed. Of the countenance: Expressive of inward calm, unruffled.
      27. soft-tempered 1640–
          Having a pleasant and equable disposition; not easily angered or annoyed; good-tempered.
      28. dispassionated 1647
      29. imperturbed 1652–
          Not disturbed or agitated; esp. not mentally perturbed; calm, unexcited.
      30. unruffled 1654–
          Not unduly affected by excitement or emotion; not agitated or irritated; calm, composed, unperturbed.
      31. reposing 1655–
          That reposes; that is tranquil, calm, or (of a person or figure) recumbent; (also occasionally) that causes a person or thing to repose.
      32. equanimous 1656–
          Even-tempered; not easily elated or depressed.
      33. perplacid 1660
          Thoroughly placid or quiet.
      34. placate 1662
          Composed; placid.
      35. cooled 1682
          Made cool (in various senses). Formerly also: †made cold (obsolete).
      36. posed 1693
          Composed, grave, sedate.
      37. sedate 1693–
          Calm, quiet, composed; cool, sober, collected; undisturbed by passion or excitement. Of a person, his or her disposition, temper, deportment, actions.
      38. impassive 1699–
          Deficient in, or void of, mental feeling or emotion; not susceptible to mental impressions; unimpressionable, apathetic; also, in good sense, not…
      39. uninflamed 1714–
          figurative. Not emotionally warmed or excited.
      40. unexcited 1735–
          Not mentally stirred or moved.
      41. unalarmed 1756–
          (un-, prefix¹ affix 2.)
      42. unagitated 1772–
          Not mentally disturbed; not stirred or excited by emotion or unrest.
      43. undistraught 1773–
          (un-, prefix¹ affix 2b.)
      44. recollected 1792
          Collected, composed, calm; (also) given up to or absorbed in religious contemplation. In predicative use.
      45. equable 1796–
          Uniform, free from fluctuation or variation. Of the feelings, mind, temper, etc.: Even, not easily disturbed. Of a course of events: Free from…
      46. unfanned 1816–
          (un-, prefix¹ affix 2.)
      47. unfussy 1823–
          (un-, prefix¹ affix 1.)
      48. easy-going 1828–
          Characterized by a gentle or tolerant approach; having a relaxed character.
      49. self-collect 1830
          Self-possessed, composed. Cf. collected, adj. 3a. In self-collect. Obsolete. rare (archaic and poetic).
      50. unflurried 1854–
          (un-, prefix¹ affix 2.)
      51. cool 1855–
          Of a person or a personal attribute, quality, etc.: not affected by passion or emotion, dispassionate; controlled, deliberate, not hasty; calm…
      52. comfortable 1856–
          Expressing or characterized by comfort; easy and tranquil; undisturbed; also colloquial of persons, suggestive of complacency, placidly…
      53. disimpassioned 1860–
          Freed or free from passion; dispassionate.
      54. tremorless 1869–
          Without tremor or excitement; untrembling, unshaken. Also figurative.
      55. unpressured 1879–
          Not subject to emotional or mental pressure; relaxed, unconstrained.
      56. unrippled 1883–
          Esp. of a body of water: not rippled, smooth.
      57. ice-cool 1891–
          figurative. Lacking in enthusiasm or warmth; frosty, aloof; (also) steely, unruffled, intensely calm.
      58. unrattled 1891–
          Not flustered or agitated; calm, composed.
      59. Zen-like a1908–
          Reminiscent or characteristic of Zen Buddhism or its teachings; spec. meditative; calm, serene.
      60. unrestless 1919–
          Not restless; calm, peaceful.
      61. steadyish 1924–
          Moderately or fairly steady.
      62. ataractic 1941–
          Calm, serene.
      63. relaxed 1958–
          Leisurely, at ease; free from tension, anxiety, or stress.
      64. nonplussed 1960–
          Originally and chiefly U.S. Not disconcerted; unperturbed, unfazed.
      65. Zen 1962–
          Reminiscent of Zen Buddhism. Also more generally: calm and relaxed; serene. Cf. sense A.3.
      66. loose 1968–
          Of persons, etc.: relaxed or easy, calm; uninhibited. Esp. predic. (quasi-adv.) in to hang (or stay) loose. slang (originally U.S.).
      67. Zenned-out 1968–
          Of a person: relaxed, serene, laid-back (frequently with the implication of obliviousness). Also of a place or situation: characterized by…
      68. downtempo 1972–
          gen. Characterized by a slow pace; relaxed.
      69. mellowed 1977–
          colloquial (originally U.S.). With out. Relaxed, informal. Cf. mellow, v. 4b.
      70. de-stressed 1999–
          That is or has been de-stressed (in various senses of the verb); having had stress reduced or taken away; (of a person) relaxed.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. Zennist 1904–
         a. adj. Of or relating to Zen Buddhism or its teachings; b. n. a person who practises Zen Buddhism; a Zen Buddhist.
      2. Zen 1962–
         Reminiscent of Zen Buddhism. Also more generally: calm and relaxed; serene. Cf. sense A.3.
      View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/zɛn/
zen

### U.S. English

/zɛn/
zen

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

1. 1700s
   Sen
2. 1800s
   Dzen
3. 1800s–
   Zen

## Frequency

Zen typically occurs about four times per million words in modern written English.

Zen is in frequency band 5, which contains words occurring between 1 and 10 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of Zen, n. & adj., 1750–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1750 | 0.045
1760 | 0.05
1770 | 0.059
1780 | 0.065
1790 | 0.057
1800 | 0.05
1810 | 0.043
1820 | 0.045
1830 | 0.047
1840 | 0.042
1850 | 0.044
1860 | 0.045
1870 | 0.051
1880 | 0.066
1890 | 0.11
1900 | 0.23
1910 | 0.44
1920 | 0.77
1930 | 1.0
1940 | 1.4
1950 | 2.0
1960 | 3.0
1970 | 3.5
1980 | 3.9
1990 | 3.9
2000 | 4.1
2010 | 4.0

### Frequency of Zen, n. & adj., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.82
2018 | 0.95
2019 | 1.2
2020 | 1.3
2021 | 1.4
2022 | 1.3
2023 | 1.4
2024 | 1.3

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. Zennist, adj. & n. 1904–
   a. adj. Of or relating to Zen Buddhism or its…

1. Zen master, n. 1907–
   An experienced or advanced practitioner of Zen…

1. Zen-like, adj. a1908–
   Reminiscent or characteristic of Zen Buddhism or…

1. Zen Buddhist, adj. & n. 1917–
   a. adj.Of or relating to Zen Buddhism or its…

1. Zen garden, n. 1937–
   (Originally in Japan) an outdoor space in which…

1. Zen, v. 1968–
   intransitive. to Zen out: to enter a state of…

1. C.1.
   1. C.1.a.
      1872–
      General attributive, as Zen meditation, Zen monk, Zen sect, etc.
      1. 1872

         > [He] was himself a priest of the Zen sect.

         Cornhill Magazine February 211
      2. 1894

         > The Zen sects..are divided..into three divisions. The Rinzai..from 1168 A.D., the Sōtō from 1223 A.D. and the Obaku from 1650 A.D.

         Transactions of Asiatic Society of Japan vol. 22 430
      3. 1921

         > The difficult term yūgen which occurs constantly..is derived from Zen literature.

         A. Waley, Nō Plays of Japan 21
      4. 1985

         > The Zen monks introduced..the art of dry gardening with rocks and stones.

         J. Randle & M. Watanabe, Coping with Japan 103
      5. 2016

         > The canon chancellor of the minster, who practises Zen meditation.

         Guardian (Nexis) 17 May
   2. C.1.b.
      1955–
      Instrumental and similative, as Zen-influenced, Zen-inspired, Zen-style, adjs.
      1. 1955

         > Superb example of the Zen influenced simplicity of means combined with architectural perfection.

         Perspecta vol. 3 12(caption)
      2. 1960

         > The meaning of ‘Mu’, or unattachment, deeply imbedded in Taoism, Buddhism and ever present in Zen-inspired arts and crafts.

         B. Leach, Potter in Japan x. 222
      3. 1991

         > The dance sections..impel the Zen-style chorales into a realm more intense than passive relaxation.

         Atlantic August 96/3
      4. 2008

         > A Zen influenced harmony, and formal austerity.

         Atlantic Monthly March 88/3
2. C.2.
   1. Zen master, n. 1907–
      An experienced or advanced practitioner of Zen…
   1. Zen Buddhist, adj. & n. 1917–
      a. adj.Of or relating to Zen Buddhism or its…
   1. Zen garden, n. 1937–
      (Originally in Japan) an outdoor space in which…

Zen, n. & adj. was revised in June 2018.

Zen, n. & adj. was last modified in March 2025.