Zen is a branch of Buddhism, that is practiced in China, Japan, and Korea. It incorporates the Taoist thought, and stresses the role of meditation and pursuing enlightenment. Traditionally, Zen traces its roots back to Indian Buddhism, where it was known by "dhyāna", a Sanskrit term for meditation. This name was transliterated into Chinese as "Chán" was later transliterated into Korean as "Seon", and then into Japanese as "Zen." …showed first 75 words of 725 total…

…showed last 75 words of 725 total…China, construction began on thousands of temples in which tens of thousands of people lived, devoting themselves to the study and practice of the Dharma of Buddha. In the course of time Zen would influence Chinese civilization, elevating its thinking, culture and art to great heights. Of these five Chinese schools, only three reached Japan: Soto, Rinzai and Obaku (Obake is considered a branch of the Rinzai school). The other two died out in China.