Zen

is the Japanese reading of chan (Chinese: 禅）, which is the transliteration of jhāna (Pali, the language preserving the traditional Buddhism as the Triple Baskets), dhyāna (Sanskrit). It usually means meditation, in profound concentration and especially in nirvana (no-wind, of karma). As the four stages of meditation shows the ultimate state is nirvana. So, Zen aims at nirvana and from this vantage point practitioners apply it in their thinking and acting in their daily living.

Four Stages of Meditation (zen: jhâna: dhyâna)

Vitakka          Vicâra         Pîti    Sukha         Eka-aggatâ Investigation Contemplation  Joy  Comfort  Single-pointed mind  Remarks 1st stage            o	      o	o	  o	    o                        *

2nd stage	x	x	o	 o	    o                        **

3rd stage	x	x	x	 o	    o                    equipoised

4th stage	x	x	x	 x	    o                    equipoise mind freed no rebirth nirvana

Symbols: o stands for “extant.” x stands for “extinct.”

* The following five coverings are ceased: Lust-desire (kâma-chanda) Covetousness-malevolence (abhijjhâ-vyâpâda) Sloth-drowsiness (thîna-middha) Agitation-worry (uddhacca-kukkucca) Doubt (vikicchâ)

** The following four leaks are extinct: Lust (kâma) Becoming (bhava) View (ditthi) Nescience (avijjâ)