The Internationalism of Zen

The internationalism of Zen was ensured through person-to-person contacts and exchanges, and wide circulation of important writings. If we read famous Zen texts from the 1200's from China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, the deep unity of intent and vision stands out above the local differences of idiom and emphasis. Chan in China, Son in Korea, Thien in Vietnam, Zen in Japan--the local language varied, but not the message. There was a common stock of Zen lore which Zen teachers in all these countries knew.

---A Buddha From Korea: The Zen Teachings of T'aego, Translated with commentary by J. C. Cleary---