# Ch'an

/ˈtʃæn/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chan
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- 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.

## Usage notes

- Usually capitalized as it refers to a specific religious tradition; often functions as a modifier before 'Buddhism' or 'meditation'.

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