ch'an
n. uncountablen. a school of Chinese Buddhism that focuses on meditation and sudden understanding. It is the original Chinese version of what many people now call Zen.
n. a major school of Chinese Buddhism that emphasizes meditation and direct intuition as the primary means to enlightenment. It is the historical precursor to the Japanese Zen tradition.
He studies the history of Ch'an Buddhism.
The monk spent years practicing Ch'an meditation to find inner peace and clarity.
Scholars often debate the extent to which Ch'an philosophy influenced the secular arts and poetry of the Tang Dynasty through its emphasis on spontaneity and direct experience.
Usually capitalized as it refers to a specific religious tradition; often functions as a modifier before 'Buddhism' or 'meditation'.