座 禅(ざぜん)

ざぜん

noun

Zen meditation; zazen

1. Zen meditation; zazen; seated meditation

A form of Buddhist meditation practiced in the Zen tradition, where one sits in a specific posture to achieve mental clarity and insight.

寺(てら)で座禅(ざぜん)を体験(たいけん)した。

I experienced Zen meditation at a temple.

毎朝(まいあさ)座禅(ざぜん)を組(く)んでいる。

I practice zazen every morning.

座禅(ざぜん)で心(こころ)を落(お)ち着(つ)かせる。

I calm my mind through Zen meditation.

Common patterns

座禅(ざぜん)を組(く)む (to practice zazen; to sit in meditation)
座禅(ざぜん)を体験(たいけん)する (to experience zazen)

Related words

禅(ぜん) (Zen; Zen Buddhism)
瞑想(めいそう) (meditation - general term)

Cultural note

Many Zen temples in Japan offer zazen experiences for visitors. The practice involves sitting cross-legged in a specific posture, focusing on breathing, and emptying the mind.

Related Words

Related: 瞑想(めいそう) (meditation (general))

Compare: 滝行(たきぎょう) (waterfall meditation)

Related: 作務(さむ) (manual labor at a temple)

general

Added 2026.2.3 11:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

09500/09641_zazen