Zen
[zɛn]Meaning
A Japanese form of the Chinese Chan school of Mahayana Buddhism.
Background Story
Zen is the Japanese name for the Chan school of Mahayana Buddhism, which developed in China during the Tang dynasty. From China it spread south to Vietnam as Thiền, northeast to Korea as Seon, and east to Japan as Zen.
Related Names
Yasu
From Japanese 安 "peace, quiet", 康 "peaceful" or 坦 "flat, smooth, level"
Zenka
Recorded as a feminine given name in Bulgarian
Amani
Means "wishes" in Arabic; in Swahili, from amani, "peace"
Ayumu
From Japanese 歩 (ayu) "walk, step" and 夢 (mu) "dream, vision"
Dua
A term for prayer in Indonesian and Malay
Iki
A Japanese aesthetical concept; also a Japanese island, city and former province
Kaz
A name of Japanese origin meaning 'peace' or 'harmony'.
Kei
From Japanese 慧 "intelligent", 圭 "gemstone" or 慶 "celebration"
Kishi
A common name in Japanese.
Kita
Japanese 北 (kita), 'north'; also a Polish word for a crest, bunch, sheaf or tail