Definition
Zen Buddhism is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China and later spread to Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. It emphasizes direct experience and intuition over intellectual understanding. Think of it as a 'just do it' approach to enlightenment. Meditation, particularly zazen (seated meditation), is a central practice. Koans (paradoxical riddles) are often used to challenge the mind and break through conceptual barriers. Zen aims to cultivate mindfulness and awareness in everyday life. It is like training your brain as a muscle.