Zen originated as the Chan school (禪宗, Chanzōng, 'meditation school') or the Buddha-mind school (佛心宗, fóxīnzōng), [3] and later developed into various sub-schools and branches.

New to Zen Buddhism? Learn about Zen meditation, core teachings, and practices. Discover how Zen can bring clarity and presence to your life.

Zen is the direct experience of what we might call ultimate reality, or the absolute, yet it is not separate from the ordinary, the relative. This direct experience is our birthright. The practice of …

Nov 28, 2025 · Zen, important school of East Asian Buddhism that constitutes the mainstream monastic form of Mahayana Buddhism in China, Korea, and Vietnam and accounts for approximately 20 …

Zen teacher Norman Fischer takes you through the principles and practices of the major schools of Zen. Includes specially selected articles for further reading.

Zen is a spiritual path rooted in Buddhism, originating from the awakening experience of Shakyamuni Buddha in India in the 6th century BCE. Seated in deep meditation—dhyana in Sanskrit, zazen in …

According to legend, the beginnings of Zen can be traced back to the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. One day, the Buddha was asked to summarize his highest teachings in a simple …

In Zen monasteries, activities such as eating, dressing and bathing are ritualised. Observance of the rite through transmitted forms, through the attention it requires, encourages freedom of the mind and …

Mar 13, 2019 · Zen emphasizes the role of sitting meditation (zazen) in pursuing enlightenment for the benefit of others thus emphasizing compassion. Though considered simply a practice by most of its …

Jun 28, 2006 · Zen, like the other forms of Buddhism, aims at the perfection or realization of personhood. To this end, sitting meditation called “ za-zen ” (坐禅) is a foundational method of prāxis …