1. Kanji Breakdown: 禅
This kanji represents a profound concept deeply rooted in Eastern philosophy and religion.
Meaning: Zen (the school of Buddhism), meditation, contemplation. It refers to the Zen school of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes meditation, intuition, and personal enlightenment.
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): ゼン (zen), セン (sen)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): None in common modern use.
The kanji is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). It consists of two parts:
Left (示 / 礻): This is the "altar" or "spirit" radical (しめすへん), which relates to gods, worship, and spirituality.
Right (単): This component primarily provides the sound ("sen"), but it also carries a meaning of "simplicity" or "single," which aligns perfectly with the Zen philosophy of stripping away the non-essential.
Thus, the character embodies the idea of a "spiritual practice of simplicity" or "altar of simplicity," which is the core of Zen.
2. Stroke Order and Writing
Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for balanced and beautiful kanji. "禅" has 13 strokes.
Here is the stroke order diagram and explanation:
Total Strokes: 13
Start with the left radical "礻" (altar radical):
Then, write the right part "単":
Key Writing Tips:
Write from left to right, top to bottom.
The left radical "礻" is narrower than the right part "単".
Pay attention to the balance. The right part "単" should be slightly larger.
The final vertical stroke (stroke 13) should be strong and straight, anchoring the character.
3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences
Here are some common words using "禅" and how to use them in sentences.
Vocabulary
禅 (ぜん, zen)
Meaning: Zen (Buddhism).
Example: 禅は座禅を通して自分自身を見つめるものです。
Romaji: Zen wa zazen o tōshite jibun jishin o mitsumeru mono desu.
English: Zen is about looking into oneself through seated meditation.
座禅 (ざぜん, zazen)
Meaning: Seated Zen meditation.
Example: 毎朝30分座禅を組みます。
Romaji: Maiasa sanjuppun zazen o kumimasu.
English: I do 30 minutes of seated meditation every morning.
禅寺 (ぜんでら, zendera)
Meaning: Zen temple.
Example: 京都には多くの美しい禅寺があります。
Romaji: Kyōto ni wa ōku no utsukushii zendera ga arimasu.
English: There are many beautiful Zen temples in Kyoto.
禅問答 (ぜんもんどう, zenmondō)
Meaning: Zen dialogue (koan); a conversation that seems paradoxical or illogical, used in Zen to transcend logical thinking.
Example: 彼らの議論は禅問答のようだ。
Romaji: Karera no giron wa zenmondō no yō da.
English: Their argument is like a Zen koan (seemingly paradoxical).
禅の心 (ぜんのこころ, zen no kokoro)
Meaning: The Zen mind; a state of mind characterized by calmness, presence, and non-attachment.
Example: 忙しい日常の中で禅の心を保つのは難しい。
Romaji: Isogashii nichijō no naka de zen no kokoro o tamotsu no wa muzukashii.
English: It is difficult to maintain a Zen mind in a busy daily life.
Summary
Kanji: 禅
Core Meaning: Zen, Meditation. It represents the school of Buddhism focused on direct experience and enlightenment through meditation.
Readings: On'yomi ゼン (zen) (most common), セン (sen)
Stroke Order: 13 strokes. Remember it's composed of 礻 (left - spirit) and 単 (right - sound & simplicity).
This kanji is essential for understanding a significant part of Japanese spiritual and cultural life. By mastering its stroke order and vocabulary, you can begin to grasp the profound concepts associated with Zen.