禅

禪

chán, shàn

单 + 礻

Definitions

chán dhyana (Sanskrit); Zen; meditation (Buddhism)

shàn to abdicate

Etymology

To pray 礻 alone 单; 单 also provides the pronunciation

About

Originally written 禪, the character combines the semantic radical 示 (礻 in the simplified 禅) meaning 'altar,' 'spirit,' or 'sacrifice' with the phonetic component 單/单 (dān), meaning 'alone.' It first referred to imperial rituals: offering sacrifices to the earth or formally abdicating. After Buddhism was introduced, 禅 was borrowed phonetically to transcribe the Sanskrit dhyāna, a state of deep meditation. Today its primary meanings center on Buddhist meditation, Zen philosophy, and quiet contemplation.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

禅是一种哲学。

Chán shì yī zhǒng zhéxué.

Zen is a philosophy.

禅宗来自中国。

Chánzōng láizì Zhōngguó.

Zen Buddhism comes from China.

练习禅修可以静心。

Liànxí chánxiū kěyǐ jìngxīn.

Practicing Zen meditation can calm the mind.

这座寺庙充满禅意。

Zhè zuò sìmiào chōngmǎn chányì.

This temple is full of Zen spirit.

他每天打坐修行禅法。

Tā měitiān dǎzuò xiūxíng chánfǎ.

He meditates and practices Zen methods every day.

通过学习禅宗，他找到了内心的平静。

Tōngguò xuéxí chánzōng, tā zhǎodàole nèixīn de píngjìng.

Through studying Zen Buddhism, he found inner peace.

禅的智慧不仅限于宗教，还影响着日常生活。

Chán de zhìhuì bùjǐn xiànyú zōngjiào, hái yǐngxiǎng zhe rìcháng shēnghuó.

The wisdom of Zen is not limited to religion; it also influences daily life.

在现代快节奏的社会中，禅修成为一种流行的减压方式。

Zài xiàndài kuài jiézòu de shèhuì zhōng, chánxiū chéngwéi yī zhǒng liúxíng de jiǎn yā fāngshì.

In modern fast-paced society, Zen meditation has become a popular way to reduce stress.

Related Characters

Component: 单

Component: 礻

禅