This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

Word

ぜん
dhyana (profound meditation); Zen (Buddhism)
Word

禅宗

ぜんしゅう
Zen (Buddhism)
Word

禅師

ぜんじ、ぜんし
monk; priest, particularly a high-ranking Zen monk honored by the imperial court
Word

禅僧

ぜんそう
Zen priest
Word

禅定

ぜんじょう
dhyana-samadhi (meditative concentration); ascetic practice atop a sacred mountain (in Shugendou); mountain top
Word

禅譲

ぜんじょう
(historical, in China) abdication by an emperor in favor (favour) of a more virtuous successor
Word

座禅

坐禅
ざぜん
zazen (seated Zen meditation, usu. in a cross-legged position)
Word

友禅

ゆうぜん
type of dyeing method or pattern; silk printed by the Yuzen process
Word

禅堂

ぜんどう
zendo (Zen meditation hall)
Word

禅問答

ぜんもんどう
Zen dialogue; Zen questions and answers