禅是梵文“禅那”的略称,汉译为静虑,是静中思虑的意思,一般叫作禅定。此法是将心专注在一法境上一心参禅,所以名为禅宗。禅宗发展于初唐,是佛教的一种形态。追朔其真正的始祖则更早,其源于六世纪从南印度到中国来的菩提达摩。在八世纪间分为南北两宗,北宗主“渐修”,初时盛极一时,不久便衰竭。南宗主“顿悟”,从唐至宋,禅师辈出,流传广泛。 Zen is a Sanskrit “Zen” abbreviation, translated into quiet thinking, is the meaning of meditation, generally known as meditation. This method is to focus on the heart of the heart of a law Zen, so named Zen. Zen development in the early Tang Dynasty is a form of Buddhism. Tracing its true ancestor is even earlier, its origins in the sixth century from South India to China to Bodhidharma. In the eighth century was divided into two northern and southern cases, the northern sovereign “gradually repair”, initially very prosperous moment soon collapse. South sovereign “Epiphany”, from the Tang to Song, Zen masters come forth in large numbers, widespread.