Final answer:
The name 'Zen' originates from the Japanese pronunciation of 'Chan', a form of Mahayana Buddhism focused on meditation and the realization of illusions in the material world. It emphasizes simplicity and present-moment awareness as paths to enlightenment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Zen is the Japanese name for Chan Buddhism, a form of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes the disciplined practice of meditation.
The name Zen reflects an aesthetic and philosophical approach that values simplicity, mindfulness, and the essence of living, resonating with the concept of finding the truth within the nature of things and focusing on the present moment.
The practice and philosophy of Zen advise the importance of meditation and encourages followers to seek enlightenment by understanding the interconnection of all phenomena and the illusion of the material world.
Historically, Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty engaged in extensive patronage of Buddhism, but Bodhidharma, regarded as the founder of Chan or Zen Buddhism, held that true enlightenment could only be reached through meditation, not through the emperor's material support for the religion.
Zen teachings thus often involve grappling with paradoxical questions or performing humble tasks to deepen one's understanding of the self and the universe.