禅, also known as Zen, is a school of Buddhism that emphasizes meditation and direct experience to attain enlightenment. It focuses on mindfulness, self-discipline, and living in the present moment.
Think of 禅 as a clear pond where you can see your reflection only when your mind is calm and still. Just like the pond reflects reality without distortion, 禅 encourages us to perceive things as they truly are.
座禅 (ざぜん): This term refers to seated meditation practice in Zen Buddhism.
悟り (さとり): This term means enlightenment or awakening, which is the ultimate goal of practicing Zen.
公案 (こうあん): This term refers to a paradoxical question or statement used in Zen practice to provoke deep contemplation and insight.
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.