Zennoun & adjective
Meaning & use
- noun
- 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.
- 1727
In the 1850 streets of this city, there were 1050 [families] of the Ten Dai's Religion,..11016 of Sen [Ger. Sen].
, translation of E. Kæmpfer, History of Japan vol. I. ii. v. 199 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 1947
Taoism and nature mysticism, transmitted through the vehicle of Zen Buddhism.
Architectural Review vol. 102 32/2 - 1960
What do they know about Zen—the programme-writer, the film-makers, the beatniks, the lot?
Spectator 15 July 101 - 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
- 2.1934–In Zen Buddhism: a state of insight and enlightenment. Also more generally: a state of calmness or serenity of mind, emotions, etc.
- 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.
, Introd. Zen Buddhism vii. 102 - 1978
The fallacy is to think that one has to go somewhere to attain Zen.
Philos. East & West vol. 25 177 - 1997
By achieving one's personal potential through self-actualization, a person achieves Zen.
Monograph (University Calif., Berkeley, Martial Arts Program) vol. 3 132 - 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
- 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 BFrequently (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.
- 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 - 1974
Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance.
(title) - 2003
The moment of footballing Zen, where time stops and you and the telly become one.
Daily Telegraph (Sydney) (Nexis) 13 June b12 - 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 - 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
- adjective
- 1962–Reminiscent of Zen Buddhism. Also more generally: calm and relaxed; serene. Cf. sense A.3.
- 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 - 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.
, Light can be both Wave & Particle 152 - 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