Zen Names

A

Abhaya (?Sk.) Fearless

An (J.) Peace, Peace of Being At Home, Peaceful

Anzan (J.) Quiet Mountain

B

Baika (J.) Plum Blossom

Bankei (J.) Ten Thousand Blessings

Banko (J.) Everlasting

Banzan (J.) Indestructible Mountain

Basho (J.) Banana Plant

Bassui (J.) High Above Average

Bensen (J.) Be Diligent!

Bodhidharma (Sk.) All-Pervading Enlightened Mind, Enlightenment Teaching

Bodhin (J.) [the meaning is to be ascertained]

Bunan (J.) No Difficulties

Butsugen (J.) Buddha Eye

Butsuju (J.) Buddha-Life, Buddha-Age

C

Chan Khong (V.) True Emptiness

Ch'anyom (K.) This Single Thought Persisting

Chen-chio (C.) True Enlightenment

Chen-tao (C.) True Guide

Chikuzen (J.) Empty Zen

Chimon (J.) Wisdom Gate

Chinshu (J.) Calm Prefecture, Calm Place

Chorei (J.) Transparent Spirituality

Chosui (J.) Purifying Water

Chotan (J.) Deep Pool

Chozen (J.) Clear/Transparent Meditation Practice

Chuan-deng (C.) Transmit Lamp

Chuan-fa (C.) Transmit Dharma

Chuan-xin (C.) Transmit Mind

Chuan-zong (C.) Transmit Principle

Chugai (J.) Transcending Universe

D

Da Shin (J.) Peaceful Heart

Daeshim (K.) Great Mind

Daibai (J.) Big Plum

Daido (J.) Great Way

Daiden (J.) Great Transmission

Daigu (J.) Great Fool

Dai-In (J.) Hidden Greatness

Daiji (J.) Great Compassion

Daikan (J.) Great Contemplation

Daikaku (J.) Great Enlightenment

Dainin (J.) Great Patience, Great Endurance

Daisetz (J.) Great Clumsiness

Daishin (J.) Great Truth, Boundless Reality

Daiun* (J.) Great Cloud

Danan (P.) Giving

Denkatsu (J.) Activity Like Lightning

Dokai (J.) Way Formality, Way Steps

Doryu (J.) Way of the Dragon

Doyu (J.) Morality Preserver

E

Eido (J.) Illuminating Way

Ekai Jinko (J.) Ocean of Wisdom, Wide Virtue

Engu (J.) Whole or Complete Fool

Enku (J.) [the meaning is to be ascertained]

Enkyo (J.) (Full) Circle Teaching

Enmei (J.) Bright Circle

Eryu (J.) Dragon Wisdom

Eshin (J.) Understanding Mind, Wisdom (Prajna) Mind

Etsudo (J.) Joyful Way

F

Fo-hsing (C.) Buddha-Mind

Fo-hai (C.) Buddha-Ocean

Fudoki (J.) Immovable/Unmoving Wisdom

Fugai (J.) Outside The Wind

Fuko-an (J.) Hermitage of the White Cloth

Fuyo (J.) Peony

G

Gen'un* (J.) Illusion Cloud, Dream Cloud

Genjo (J.) Original Silence

Genkaku (J.) Original Understanding, Original Realization

Genki (J.) Subtle Function, Mysterious Function

Genko (J.) Original Light

Genmyo (J.) Wondrous Profundity

Genno (J.) Respond to the Mystery, Esoteric Dharma

Genpo (J.) Original Law, Esoteric Dharma

Gensei (J.) an allusion to words "Omori Sogen Roshi lives"

Gensho (J.) Original Blessings

Getsuren (J.) Moon Lotus

Guan Han (C.) Sees the Cold

Guo-xiang (C.) Result Form

Gyoki (J.) Foundation of Action

Gyo Shin (J.) Heart of Dawn

Gyosei (J.) Morning Star

Gyoun* (J.) Morning Cloud

H

Hakaku (J.) White Crane

Hakue (J.) Pure Blessing

Hakushi (J.) White Paper

Hakuun* (J.) White Cloud

Han Me (K.) Great Mountain

Han Sen (J.) Hillside Spring

Han-shan (C.) Cold Mountain, Cold Cliff, Cold Peak

Heavenly Donkey (E.) Heavenly Donkey

Hinju (J.) Guest/Host

Hiten (J.) Buddhist Angel

Hodo (J.) Dharma Way

Hokoji (J.) The Lay Disciple of Ho

Hoen (J.) Dharma Garden

Hotei (J.) Cloth Bag, Dharma Body

Hsü Yün (C.) Empty Cloud

Hsin-yüeh (C.) Mind-Moon

Hui-chao (C.) Wise Illumination

Hui K'o (C.) Able Wisdom

I

Ikkyu (J.) One, Pause

Ishu (J.) Mind/Heart Care With Hands

Inzan (J.) Hidden Mountain

Issan (J.) One Mountain

Itsu Ro (J.) Lone Heron

J

Jakushitsu (J.) Tranquil Space

Ji An (J.) Compassionate Peace, Compassionate Peaceful Mind

Ji'un ken* (J.) Healing Cloud

Jikai (J.) Ocean of Compassion

Jikan (J.) The Silent One

Jimin (J.) Compassionate Mercy

Jing-chan (C.) Pure Chan, Pure Zen

Jing-di (C.) Pure Truth

Jing-hong (C.) Pure Greatness

Jing-hui (C.) Pure Wisdom

Jinne (J.) Beloved of God

Jinsen (J.) Fountain of God

Jiryu (J.) Compassionate Dragon

Jishin (J.) Heart of Compassion

Jisho (J.) Giving Birth To Compassion

Jison (J.) Compassionate Honored Person

Jissai (J.) True World

Jitsu Mu (J.) Actualizing the Mist

Jittoku (J.) Pick Up

Jiun (J.) Compassionate Cloud

Jiyu (J.) Compassionate Friend

Joko (J.) Pure Fragrance, Quiet Lake

Joriki (J.) Correct Practice Energy

Junpo (J.) Innocent Dharma

Jusan (J.) Mountain of Eternal Life

K

Kakumyo (J.) Clear Awakening

Kan'un ken* (J.) Lazily Floating Cloud

Kando (J.) Penetrating Insight

Kankan (J.) Sees the Cold

Kanshin (J.) Open Heart/Mind

Kanzan (J.) Cold Mountain, Cold Cliff, Cold Peak

Kashyapa (Sk.) To Swallow The Light

Keiun-ken* (J.) Beautiful Cloud

Keizan (J.) Reverential Mountain

Kenzan (J.) Inaccessible Mountain

Kibutsu (J.) Christian Buddhist

Kisui (J.) Happy Water

Kiun-an* (J.) Empty Cloud Hermitage, Luminous Cloud Hermitage

Kobutsu (J) Ancient Buddha

Kodo (J) The Way of Light

Kokan (J.) Ancient Reflection

Koge (J.) Fragrant Flower

Kogen (J.) Wild, Untamed Source

Koju (J.) Universal Principle

Komyo (J.) Light-Hope

Kongo (J.) Diamond

Koryu (J.) The Dragon that Appears

Koshin (J.) Shining Heart-Mind

Kosho (J.) Raise, Encourage, Urge

Koun* (J.) Lone Cloud, Solitary Cloud, Fragrant Cloud, Illumination Cloud

Koun-an* (J.) The Cloud of Light Hermitage

Koyo (J.) Cultivating Faculty

Kozan (J.) Ancient Mountain

Kozan (J.) Tiger Mountain

Kugai (J.) Profound Emptiness

Kushin, Ku Shin (J.) Vast Mind, Mind of Vast Emptiness

Kuma (J.) Bear

Kung (C.) Empty

Kusala (S.) Skillful

Kuzan (J.) Empty Mountain

Kyodo (J.) Way of Teaching

Kyosei (J.) Mirror of Truth

Kyounshi (J.) Master of The Crazy Cloud

L

Lung-t'an (C.) Dragon Abyss

M

Manju Usra (??.) Luminous Wisdom Bull

Ma-tzu (C.) Horse-Master

Mitta (J.) Writing Seal

Mitra (Sk.) Spiritual Friend

Monshin (J.) Listening Heart

Mu Ji Yo (J.) Timeless Ocean

Mu-nan (J.) The Man Who Never Turned Back

Mugen (J.) Infinity

Muho (J.) No Direction, No Path, No Dharma

Mui (J.) Man of no Rank

Muishitsu (J.) True Man Without Rank

Muji (J.) Ground Mist

Mumon (J.) Gateless Gate

Mutei (J.) Bottomless

Myo Ka (J.) Mysterious Flower

Myo-on (J.) Subtle Sound

Myoho (J.) Marvelous Law of Buddha

Myoan (J.) Bright Hut, Bright Hermitage

Myoan (J.) Amazing Grace

Myobop (K.) Marvelous Dharma

Myoen (J.) Bright Circle or Circle of Illumination. En = Circle; Myo = bright, luminous, clear

Myoki (J.) Wondrous Joy

Myoshin (J.) Wondrous Heart-Mind

Myotai (J.) Wondrous Subtle Wisdom

N

Nan Shin (J.) Gentle Mind, Natural Mind

Nanryu (J.) Southern Dragon

Nantembo (J.) Nandin [= Nanten tree] Stick

Neisui (J.) Calming Water

Nesshindo (J.) Enthusiasm for the Way

Niao-ka (C.) Bird's Nest

Niu-t'ou (C.) Ox-Head

Nyo'ei (J.) Like A Shadow

Nyogen (J.) Like A Dream, Like A Fantasy

P

Popkong (K.) Empty Dharma

Popun (K.) Dharma Cloud

Q

Quang Tu (V.) Compassion

R

Reiju (J.) Spiritual Tree

Riki (J.) Power Energy

Rokoji (J.) Old Layperson

Roshin (J.) Dew Drop Mind

Ryunen (J.) Dragon Mind

Ryusan (J.) Dragon Mountain

Ryushin (J.) Dragon Heart

Ryutan (J.) Dragon Abyss

S

Saiun (J.) Colorful Cloud

Sansetsu (J.) Mountain Snow

Sariputra (Sk.) Child of A Spring Nightingale

Sei'un An (J.) Clearing Away The Clouds Hermitage

Seido (J.) Sincere Way

Seigan (J.) Vow

Seiki (J.) Vital Energy

Seiko (J.) Star Reflecting on the Lake

Seiryu (J.) Clear Stream

Seiryu (J.) Peaceful Dragon

Seisen (J.) Pure Spring, Like a Fountain

Sekkei (J.) Snow Valley

Seng-ts'an (C.) Jewel of The Community

Senjo (J.) Ten Times Master

Setsu (J) Unskillful, Clumsy

Seung Sahn (K.) Tall Mountain

Shakyamuni (Sk.) The Sage of The Shakya Clan

Shih-te (C.) Pick Up

Shikai (J.) Entire World

Shindo (J) Forest Way

Shindo (J) New Way

Shinjo (J.) True Purity

Shinkai (J.) Servant of the Servant

Shisen (J.) Arrow Wizard

Shizan (J.) Smooth Mountain

Sho-e (J.) Manifest Blessings

Shofu KoHo (J.) Pinewinds Spreading the Truth/Dharma in Ten Directions

Shogen (J.) Eye of Truth

Shoju (J.) True Acceptance

Shoju Rojin (J.) Old Man of Correct Perception

Shonu (J.) Planting the Garden

Shosan (J.) Right, Correct, Exact

Shoshin (J.) Beginner's Mind, No Mind

Showa (J.) Auspicious Harmony

Shugen (J.) Rigorous Practice

Shun Getsu (J.) Spring Moon

Shunryu (J.) Spring Dragon

Shunsho (J.) Shining Spring

Shusai (J) Bright Boy

Shusshin (J.) The Forest Comes Forth

Siddharta (Sk.) Successful One

Sodaiho (J.) Great Dharma

Soteki (J.) Target of The Patriarchs

Soten (J.) Heavenly Ancestor

Ssu-hsin (C.) Dead Mind

Suiho (J.) Green Peak

Sumitra (Sk.) Compassionate Friend

Sunya (Sk.) Zero, Nothing

Suriak (Sk.) Sun, Sunlight

T

T'an Gong (K.) One Who Swallowed Emptiness

T'su Yu (C.) Compassionate Friend

Taido (J.) Gentle Way

Taigen (J.) Ultimate Source

Taikan (J.) Truth Insight

Taisen (J.) Great Hermit

Taiten (J.) Infinite Sky

Taiun (J.) Great Clound

Taizan (J.) Great Mountain

Taizen (J.) Gradually Advancing Calm

Takuan (J.) Pickled Radish

Tamon (J.) Northern Protecting Deity

Tanshin (J.) Single Mind

Tao-pao (C.) Jewel of The Path

Teishin (J.) Faithful Mind

Tekisui (J.) One Drop of Water

Tennen (J.) Natural

Tenryu (J.) Celestial Dragon

Tenshin (J.) Heaven Mind, Heaven Truth, Naturally Real, Universal Mind

Tenzan (J.) Heavenly or Universal Mountain

Tetsugen (J.) Penetrate Source, Penetrate Subtlety, Deeply Penetrating the Mystery

Tetsugyu (J.) Iron Ox

Tetsuyu (J.) Enlivening Function

Tokei (J.) Peach-Tree Valley

Tokudo (J.) Virtue of The Way

Tri Nguyen (V.) Source of Wisdom

Tsung-chih (C.) Devotion To Wisdom

Tuan-chi (C.) Liberator From Limitations

U

Unkan (J.) Cloud Valley

W

Wu-an (C.) Master of The Wu Hermitage

Wu-pen (C.) Original Consciousness

Y

Ya'o Xia'ng (C.) Dazzling in the Details

Yu Ch'i-lin (C.) Jade Unicorn

Yu H'sien (C.) Jade Spirit

Yu Lian (C.) Jade Lotus

Yu Wa (C.) Fearless Speech

Yün-men (C.) Cloud Gate

Z

Zanchu (J.) Mountain Reality

Zendo (J.) Zen Way

Zenkai (J.) Whole World Zen

Zenkei (J.) Inconceivable Joy

Zenki (J.) Total Activity, The Whole Works

Zenkon (J.) Good Roots

Zenshin (J.) Zen Mind

Zochi (J.) Stored Wisdom

Zuiki (J.) Delightedly Follow

Zuiun (J.) Auspicious Cloud

Zuiun-an* (J.) Auspicious Cloud Hermitage

*Language: (C.) = Chinese; (E.) = English; (J.) = Japanese; (K.) = Korean; (Sk.) = Sanskrit; (V.) = Vietnamese.