Zen Buddhism Trivia Questions
- ❓ 147+ questions
- 🗂️ Religion
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Meditation-focused Buddhist tradition. Play Zen Buddhism trivia solo to sharpen your knowledge, or challenge a friend head-to-head in Trivia Tango — every question comes with an explanation so you learn as you play. Questions span every level, from easy warm-ups to expert-level stumpers, so there's a real challenge here however much you already know.
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Sample Zen Buddhism Quiz Questions
A mix of easy, medium and hard — questions run from warm-up to expert, so there's a real challenge at every level. Think you know the answers? Play to find out.
This Japanese term describes the seated meditation practice that forms the core of this Buddhist school, involving posture and breath awareness.
Difficulty: Easy- Sesshin
- Kinhin
- Oryoki
- Zazen
This Chinese master of the Tang Dynasty was known for his unconventional teaching methods, including striking and shouting at students.
Difficulty: Medium- Linji Yixuan
- Mazu Daoyi
- Zhaozhou Congshen
- Huangbo Xiyun
This debate at Samye in 8th-century Tibet pitted the Chinese gradual-sudden approach against Indian scholastic Buddhism, affecting Tibet's trajectory.
Difficulty: Hard- Council of Samye
- Tibetan-Chinese Council
- Great Debate
- Council of Lhasa
This Indian monk traveled to China in the 5th or 6th century CE and is traditionally credited as the founder of Chan Buddhism, which later became known in Japan.
Difficulty: Easy- Nagarjuna
- Padmasambhava
- Asanga
- Bodhidharma
This Tang master was known for answering "Mu" (no/nothing) when asked whether a dog possesses awakened nature, creating a famous practice case.
Difficulty: Medium- Linji Yixuan
- Zhaozhou Congshen
- Yunmen Wenyan
- Mazu Daoyi
This classification grouped the major Tang Dynasty lineages into distinct schools with characteristic teaching styles, including Guiyang, Linji, Caodong, Yunmen, and Fayan.
Difficulty: Hard- Five Ranks teaching
- Five Contemplations
- Five Mountains system
- Five Houses of Chan
These paradoxical riddles or statements, such as "What is the sound of one hand clapping," are used to provoke sudden insight in practitioners.
Difficulty: Easy- Sutras
- Koans
- Mantras
- Gathas
This powerful meditative concentration, developed through consistent practice, generates the energy needed to penetrate through challenging cases.
Difficulty: Medium- Makyo
- Prajna
- Samadhi
- Joriki
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