Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Zen

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French version

Zen

禅禅宗
alternative words: Zen sect, Zenshu, Zen shu
keywords: buddhism , china , religion , sect
related topics: Daruma , Buddhism , Kamakura period , Rinzai sect , Myoan Yosai , Soto sect , Eihe Dogen
related web sites: http://www.ah.wakwak.com/~lotus/ , http://www.zenbunka.or.jp
explanation: One of Buddhist doctrines which gives an importance to the meditation and existed in India since old times. Daruma (Bodhidharma) propagated it to China around 5th century. In Japan it arrived during Nara period but hadn't become popular until Kamakura period when Eisai and Dogen brought from China respectively Rinzai and Soto teachings. Then, Zen gave great influences to Japanese architecture and literature. Zen comes from dhyana in Sanskrit, i.e. "meditation".