zen

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun school of Mahayana Buddhism asserting that enlightenment can come through meditation and intuition rather than faith; China and Japan
  2. noun a Buddhist doctrine that enlightenment can be attained through direct intuitive insight
  3. noun street name for lysergic acid diethylamide

Etymology

From Zen. In more general use, popularized by Eugen Herrigel's 1948 Zen in the Art of Archery and Robert M. Pirsig's 1974 Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

In classic literature

Synonyms

Zen Buddhism

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