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心印 is a Buddhist concept that simply stated is “appreciation of truth by meditation.”
It's a deep subject, but my understanding is that you can find truth through meditation, and once you've found the truth, you can learn to appreciate it more through further meditation. This title is not commonly used outside of the Buddhist community (your Asian friends may or may not understand it). The literal translation would be something like “the mind seal,” I've seen this term translated this way from Japanese Buddhist poetry. But apparently, the seal that is stamped deep in your mind is the truth. You just have to meditate to find it.
Soothill defines it this way: Mental impression, intuitive certainty; the mind is the Buddha-mind in all, which can seal or assure the truth; the term indicates the intuitive method of the Chan (Zen) school, which was independent of the spoken or written word.
Reference: Soothill-Hodous Dictionary of Chinese Buddhism
See Also: Zen
〇 is the famous Enso symbol, which you will see widely used by Japanese Zen Buddhists.
In a twist, I am starting to see Enso used more and more by Chinese Buddhists.
Here is the typical appearance of Enso artwork by Japanese calligrapher Kougetsu.
Enso is not a Japanese Kanji character. It falls more into the category of a symbol. There is some debate, but many consider Enso to be a religious symbol.
Some call this “The Circle of Enlightenment.” Others call it the “Infinity Circle.” If you actually took the meanings of the two Kanji (円相) that make up the word “En-so,” you could read it as “Mutual Circle” or “Circle of Togetherness.” I think the Enso symbol can simply mean different things to different people. Therefore, you should let it have the meaning that you perceive.
The appearance of your Enso will be determined by the artist's personal style, feeling, mood, etc.
禪宗 is one way to title “Zen Buddhism.” Because the original pronunciation of Zen in Chinese is Chan, you'll also see this expressed as Chan Buddhism.
From the Buddhist Dictionary:
The Chan, meditative or intuitional, sect is usually said to have been established in China by Bodhidharma, the twenty-eighth patriarch, who brought the tradition of the Buddha-mind from India. This sect, believing in direct enlightenment, disregarded ritual and sūtras and depended upon the inner light and personal influence for the propagation of its tenets, founding itself on the esoteric tradition supposed to have been imparted to Kāśyapa by the Buddha, who indicated his meaning by plucking a flower without further explanation. Kāśyapa smiled in apprehension and is supposed to have passed on this mystic method to the patriarchs. The successor of Bodhidharma was 慧可 Huike, and he was succeeded by 僧璨 Sengcan, 道信 Daoxin, 弘忍 Hongren, 慧能 Huineng, and 神秀 Shenxiu, the sect dividing under the two latter into the southern and northern schools: the southern school became prominent, producing 南嶽 Nanyue and 靑原 Qingyuan, the former succeeded by 馬祖 Mazu, the latter by 石頭 Shitou. From Mazu's school arose the five later schools.
入定 is a title that can be defined as Zen contemplation in Japanese or sitting quietly in (Buddhist) meditation in Chinese. It also carries a similar meaning in Korean Hanja. Therefore, this is a universal term for meditation in the context of Buddhism throughout the Orient.
Can also be translated as “Meditatively equipoised” or “enter into meditation by stilling the karmic activities of deed, speech, and thought.”
The original Sanskrit word is samapanna. In Tibetan: snyoms par zhugs pa.
參禪 is a title that speaks of reaching an understanding (of Zen or the world). It also means “to practice meditation.” The two concepts lead you to the idea that meditation leads to understanding. 參禪 is pretty deep, so you can do your research or decide what this means for you.
This can also be defined in a more complex way as “thoroughly penetrating with meditative insight.”
...as in Zen Buddhism
First, let's correct something: The Japanese romanization for this character, “Zen” has penetrated the English language. In English, it's almost always incorrectly used for phrases like “That's so zen.” Nobody says, “That's so meditation” - right? As the title of a sect, this would be like saying, “That's so Baptist!"
禪 by itself just means “meditation.” In that context, it should not be confined to use by any one religion or sect.
Regardless of the dictionary definition, more often than not, this character is associated with Buddhism. And here is one of the main reasons:
Zen is used as the title of a branch of Mahayana Buddhism, which strongly emphasizes meditation practice.
However, it should be noted that Buddhism came from India, and “Chan Buddhism” evolved and developed in medieval China. The Chinese character “Chan” was eventually pronounced as “Zen” in Japanese. Chan Buddhists in China have much in common with Zen Buddhists in Japan.
More about the history of Zen Buddhism here.
Please also note that the Japanese Kanji character for Zen has evolved a little in Japan, and the two boxes (kou) that you see at the top of the right side of the character have been replaced by three dots with tails.
The original character would still be generally understood and recognized in Japanese (it's considered an ancient version in Japan) but if you want the specifically modern Japanese version, please click on the zen Kanji to the right. Technically, there is no difference between the Tensho and Reisho versions of Zen since they are ancient character styles that existed long before Japan had a written language.
There is also an alternate/shorthand/simplified Chinese version, which has two dots or tails above the right-side radical. This version is also popular for calligraphy in China. If you want this version, just click the character to the right.
Further notes: Zen is just one of seven sects of Buddhism practiced in Japan. The others are 律 Ritsu (or Risshū), 法相 Hossō, 論 Sanron 華嚴 Kegon, 天台 Tendai, and 眞言 Shingon.
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Below are some entries from our dictionary that may match your Zen Buddhism search...
Characters If shown, 2nd row is Simp. Chinese |
Pronunciation Romanization |
Simple Dictionary Definition |
公案 see styles |
gōng àn gong1 an4 kung an kouan / koan こうあん |
More info & calligraphy: Koan{Buddh} koan; kōan; Zen question for meditation (e.g. the sound of one hand clapping) J. kōan; 因緣 A dossier, or case-record; a cause; public laws, regulations; case-law. Problems set by Zen masters, upon which thought is concentrated as a means to attain inner unity and illumination. |
曹洞宗 see styles |
cáo dòng zōng cao2 dong4 zong1 ts`ao tung tsung tsao tung tsung soutoushuu / sotoshu そうとうしゅう |
Soto school (of Zen Buddhism); (o) Soto school (of Zen Buddhism) Caodong Zong |
Variations: |
zen ぜん |
(1) (abbreviation) {Buddh} (See 禅那・ぜんな) dhyana (profound meditation); (2) (abbreviation) (See 禅宗) Zen (Buddhism) |
禪 禅 see styles |
shàn shan4 shan yuzuri ゆずり |
More info & calligraphy: Zen / Chan / Meditation(out-dated kanji) (1) (Buddhist term) dhyana (profound meditation); (2) (abbreviation) Zen (Buddhism); (surname) Yuzuri To level a place for an altar, to sacrifice to the hills and fountains; to abdicate. Adopted by Buddhists for dhyāna, 禪 or 禪那, i.e. meditation, abstraction, trance. dhyāna is 'meditation, thought, reflection, especially profound and abstract religious contemplation'. M.W. It was intp. as 'getting rid of evil', etc., later as 靜慮 quiet meditation. It is a form of 定, but that word is more closely allied with samādhi, cf. 禪定. The term also connotes Buddhism and Buddhist things in general, but has special application to the 禪宗 q.v. It is one of the six pāramitās, cf. 波. There are numerous methods and subjects of meditation. The eighteen brahmalokas are divided into four dhyāna regions 'corresponding to certain frames of mind where individuals might be reborn in strict accordance with their spiritual state'. The first three are the first dhyāna, the second three the second dhyāna, the third three the third dhyāna, and the remaining nine the fourth dhyāna. See Eitel. According to Childers' Pali Dictionary, 'The four jhānas are four stages of mystic meditation, whereby the believer's mind is purged from all earthly emotions, and detached as it were from his body, which remains plunged in a profound trance.' Seated cross-legged, the practiser 'concentrates his mind upon a single thought. Gradually his soul becomes filled with a supernatural ecstasy and serenity', his mind still reasoning: this is the first jhāna. Concentrating his mind on the same subject, he frees it from reasoning, the ecstasy and serenity remaining, which is the second jhāna. Then he divests himself of ecstasy, reaching the third stage of serenity. Lastly, in the fourth stage the mind becomes indifferent to all emotions, being exalted above them and purified. There are differences in the Mahāyāna methods, but similarity of aim. |
禅浄 see styles |
zenjou / zenjo ぜんじょう |
(abbreviation) (from 禅宗 and 浄土宗) Zen Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism |
禅 see styles |
yuzuru ゆずる |
More info & calligraphy: Zen / Chan / Meditation |
禅宗 see styles |
zenshuu / zenshu ぜんしゅう |
More info & calligraphy: Zen Buddhism |
禪宗 禅宗 see styles |
chán zōng chan2 zong1 ch`an tsung chan tsung Zenshū |
More info & calligraphy: Zen BuddhismThe Chan, meditative or intuitional, sect usually said to have been established in China by Bodhidharma, v. 達, the twenty-eighth patriarch, who brought the tradition of the Buddha-mind from India. Cf. 楞 13 Laṅkāvatāra sūtra. This sect, believing in direct enlightenment, disregarded ritual and sūtras and depended upon the inner light and personal influence for the propagation of its tenets, founding itself on the esoteric tradition supposed to have been imparted to Kāśyapa by the Buddha, who indicated his meaning by plucking a flower without further explanation. Kāśyapa smiled in apprehension and is supposed to have passed on this mystic method to the patriarchs. The successor of Bodhidharma was 慧可 Huike, and he was succeeded by 僧璨 Sengcan; 道信 Daoxin; 弘忍 Hongren; 慧能 Huineng, and 神秀 Shenxiu, the sect dividing under the two latter into the southern and northern schools: the southern school became prominent, producing 南嶽 Nanyue and 靑原 Qingyuan, the former succeeded by 馬祖 Mazu, the latter by 石頭 Shitou. From Mazu's school arose the five later schools, v. 禪門. |
宋音 see styles |
souon / soon そうおん |
(See 唐音・とうおん,宋・そう・1) sō-on; Song reading; on reading of a kanji based on Song dynasty and later Chinese (esp. in words related to Zen Buddhism) |
庭詰 see styles |
niwazume にわづめ |
{Buddh} waiting in front of a temple to be accepted for training (in Zen Buddhism) |
旦過 旦过 see styles |
dàn guō dan4 guo1 tan kuo tanga たんが |
(1) {Buddh} staying the night (of an itinerant priest in Zen Buddhism); itinerant priest's lodging; (2) {Buddh} providing a room for an itinerant priest so that he may meditate for a long period of time; (place-name, surname) Tanga boarding hall |
禅法 see styles |
zenpou; zenbou / zenpo; zenbo ぜんぽう; ぜんぼう |
{Buddh} method of Buddhist study and practice that is based in meditative concentration; meditative methods used in Zen Buddhism |
竹篦 see styles |
zhú bì zhu2 bi4 chu pi chikuhei しっぺい |
bamboo comb (ateji / phonetic) (1) (Buddhist term) bamboo stick used to strike meditators into greater wakefulness (in Zen Buddhism); (2) (kana only) striking someone's wrist with one's index and middle finger bamboo clapper |
起龕 see styles |
kigan きがん |
{Buddh} ceremonial removal of the coffin from the house (lay person) or temple (priest) (Zen Buddhism) |
開枕 开枕 see styles |
kāi zhěn kai1 zhen3 k`ai chen kai chen kaichin かいちん |
{Buddh} bringing out the pillows and futon (in Zen Buddhism); sleeping To display the pillows, i.e. retire to bed. |
黄檗 see styles |
oubaku / obaku おうばく |
(abbreviation) Obaku school of Zen Buddhism; (surname) Kiwada |
仏心宗 see styles |
busshinshuu / busshinshu ぶっしんしゅう |
(rare) (See 禅宗) Zen (Buddhism) |
如来禅 see styles |
nyoraizen にょらいぜん |
(See 祖師禅) Zen Buddhism based on the original teachings of Buddha |
普化宗 see styles |
pǔ huà zōng pu3 hua4 zong1 p`u hua tsung pu hua tsung fukeshuu / fukeshu ふけしゅう |
Fuke school (defunct sect of Zen Buddhism) Fuke shū |
祖師禅 see styles |
soshizen そしぜん |
(See 如来禅) Zen Buddhism based on the teachings of Bodhidharma |
臨済宗 see styles |
rinzaishuu / rinzaishu りんざいしゅう |
Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism |
達磨宗 达磨宗 see styles |
dá mó zōng da2 mo2 zong1 ta mo tsung darumashuu / darumashu だるましゅう |
(1) (rare) (See 禅宗) Zen (Buddhism); (2) (derogatory term) (archaism) (See 達磨歌) confusing style of middle-age Japanese poetry The Damo, or Dharma sect, i.e. the 禪宗 Meditation, or Intuitional School. |
黄檗宗 see styles |
oubakushuu / obakushu おうばくしゅう |
Ōbaku school of Zen Buddhism |
不立文字 see styles |
bù lì wén zì bu4 li4 wen2 zi4 pu li wen tzu furyuumonji; furitsumonji / furyumonji; furitsumonji ふりゅうもんじ; ふりつもんじ |
(expression) (yoji) Buddhist revelation through intuitive discernment; Spiritual awakening cannot be experienced with words and letters; Spiritual enlightenment can be attained only by means of communion of mind with mind (Zen Buddhism) (不立文字教) The 禪 ch'an or intuitive School does 'not set up scriptures'; it lays stress on meditation and intuition rather than on books and other external aids: cf. Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra. |
久松真一 see styles |
hisamatsushinichi ひさまつしんいち |
(person) Hisamatsu Shin'ichi (1889-1980) - philosopher, scholar of Zen Buddhism and master of the Japanese tea ceremony |
五燈會元 五灯会元 see styles |
wǔ dēng huì yuán wu3 deng1 hui4 yuan2 wu teng hui yüan |
Song Dynasty History of Zen Buddhism in China (1252), 20 scrolls |
教外別伝 see styles |
kyougebetsuden / kyogebetsuden きょうげべつでん |
(yoji) (in Zen Buddhism) (See 不立文字) Buddhist revelation through intuitive discernment; spiritual awakening cannot be experienced with words and letters; spiritual enlightenment can be attained only by means of communion of mind with mind |
Variations: |
shippei; shippe / shippe; shippe しっぺい; しっぺ |
(1) {Buddh} bamboo stick used to strike meditators into greater wakefulness (in Zen Buddhism); (2) (kana only) (esp. しっぺ) striking someone's wrist with one's index and middle finger |
円相 see styles |
ensou / enso えんそう |
{Buddh} circle painted with a single stroke in Zen calligraphy (representing the perfect peace of mind) |
円窓 see styles |
ensou / enso えんそう |
circular window; round window; (given name) Ensou |
The following table may be helpful for those studying Chinese or Japanese...
Title | Characters | Romaji (Romanized Japanese) | Various forms of Romanized Chinese | |
Appreciation of Truth by Meditation | 心印 | shin nin / shinnin | xīn yìn / xin1 yin4 / xin yin / xinyin | hsin yin / hsinyin |
Enso - Japanese Zen Circle | 〇 | en sou / ensou / en so | ||
Zen Buddhism | 禪宗 禅宗 | zen shuu / zenshuu / zen shu | chán zōng chan2 zong1 chan zong chanzong | ch`an tsung chantsung chan tsung |
Zen Contemplation | 入定 | rù dìng / ru4 ding4 / ru ding / ruding | ju ting / juting | |
Zen Understanding | 參禪 参禅 | cān chán / can1 chan2 / can chan / canchan | ts`an ch`an / tsanchan / tsan chan | |
Zen Chan Meditation | 禪 禅 | zen | chán / chan2 / chan | ch`an / chan |
In some entries above you will see that characters have different versions above and below a line. In these cases, the characters above the line are Traditional Chinese, while the ones below are Simplified Chinese. |
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Professional calligraphers are getting to be hard to find these days.
Instead of drawing characters by hand, the new generation in China merely type roman letters into their computer keyboards and pick the character that they want from a list that pops up.
There is some fear that true Chinese calligraphy may become a lost art in the coming years. Many art institutes in China are now promoting calligraphy programs in hopes of keeping this unique form
of art alive.
Even with the teachings of a top-ranked calligrapher in China, my calligraphy will never be good enough to sell. I will leave that to the experts.
The same calligrapher who gave me those lessons also attracted a crowd of thousands and a TV crew as he created characters over 6-feet high. He happens to be ranked as one of the top 100 calligraphers in all of China. He is also one of very few that would actually attempt such a feat.
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Some people may refer to this entry as Zen Buddhism Kanji, Zen Buddhism Characters, Zen Buddhism in Mandarin Chinese, Zen Buddhism Characters, Zen Buddhism in Chinese Writing, Zen Buddhism in Japanese Writing, Zen Buddhism in Asian Writing, Zen Buddhism Ideograms, Chinese Zen Buddhism symbols, Zen Buddhism Hieroglyphics, Zen Buddhism Glyphs, Zen Buddhism in Chinese Letters, Zen Buddhism Hanzi, Zen Buddhism in Japanese Kanji, Zen Buddhism Pictograms, Zen Buddhism in the Chinese Written-Language, or Zen Buddhism in the Japanese Written-Language.
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