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zengyō

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

zengyō (Jap.). This term can have several meanings, depending upon the Chinese characters with which it is written.

1. ‘Gradual teachings’ in several different classificatory schemes, such as ‘sudden teaching’ versus ‘gradual teaching’, or as the ‘gradual method’ in the T'ien-t'ai Tendai schema of doctrinal classification (Chin., p'an-chiao).

2. ‘Zen practice’, or the practice of meditation and kōan study in the zen school.

3. ‘Good opportunity’; as a contraction of ‘zengyō hōben’, it indicates a good opportunity for the practice of skilful means (upāya-kauśalya), a chance to present Buddhist teaching to someone or to spur their practice according to their capacities and inclinations.

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DAMIEN KEOWN. "zengyō." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "zengyō." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-zengy.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "zengyō." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-zengy.html

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Zengyō

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Zengyō (Jap.). ‘Gradual enlightenment’, the step-by-step approach to enlightenment associated with the northern school of Ch'an Buddhism (see SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN SCHOOLS)—as opposed to sudden enlightenment (tongyō).

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JOHN BOWKER. "Zengyō." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Zengyō." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Zengy.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Zengyō." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Zengy.html

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