I saw some people on Reddit discussing whether someone was being orientalist, and I agreed they were simply by using the phrase "zen-like concentration". I'm not offended by them using this term, I just find it stupid. "Zen-like" has absolutely no meaning, but gives an air of eastern spirituality and mysticism. I personally think you should only be able to use that phrase if you can give a detailed and verifiable explanation about the differences between zen-like concentration, huayan-like concentration, mahasthabir nikaya-like concentration, and chan-like concentration, as well as recognize that the last one is exactly the same as zen.

And why is it only ever "zen-like"? I'm sure everyone would find it strange if Asians suddenly started to use the terms "seventh day adventism-like" or "independent fundamentalist baptist-like" to refer to the elements of American culture they find exotic.

  • YearOfTheCommieDesktop [they/them]
    ·
    10 months ago

    the "seventh day adventism" example would only make sense if seventh day adventists were known for their emphasis on meditation. Its kind of a cringe loaner word but idk if I'd go so far as to say it's completely meaningless like the examples you give, or outright orientalist

    • Umechan [he/him]
      ·
      10 months ago

      I've seen people use it in a context that has nothing to do with meditation or calm. The example I saw was about bartending. Maybe it's not always orientalist, but I think it can often be. For example, I once saw some place describe the Japanese word "genki", which means to be well or in good health, as being a zen-like state of mind. At that point, you may as well call it a "seventh day adventism-like state of mind", because both terms are meaningless in this context.

      • Erika3sis [she/her, xe/xem]
        ·
        10 months ago

        "genki" ... as being [in] a zen-like state of mind

        Right now I am in a genki (Zen-like) state of pissing myself laughing

        As the Zen masters (some type of martial art I think) of Chi... Kor... no, Japan would put it, this is cringe sugiru (def. "to be in excess; to be un-Zen-like")

        Edit: seriously though, if whoever wrote that wanted to play into oriental exoticization, then genki literally means "fundamental qi", doesn't it? The term originates in Chinese cosmology, so why drag Zen into this at all?