Zen

Zen (Chinese: Ch'an, meaning “meditation”), form of Buddhism that developed in China from c.500 A.D. and spread to Japan, exerting great influence on Japanese culture. Zen differs markedly from traditional Buddhism in its abhorrance of images and ritual, scriptures and metaphysics. Rinzai Zen uses koan (paradoxical riddles) to shock into sudden enlightenment; Soto Zen stresses contemplation.

See also: Buddhism.