In response to Pure Land Buddhism, in which one relied on others (god-like Buddhas and bodhisattvas) for salvation, the Meditation school reasserted a more traditional means to gain enlightenment – meditation (dhyana). In China, this school became known as the Chan school and Zen school in Japan.
In this school, the individual was ultimately responsible for finding enlightenment. The school emphasized stories about its past patriarchs as models of behavior leading to enlightenment.
It also instituted the practice of koans or riddles designed to befuddle the mind, and thus prod the individual towards a higher level of consciousness ad eventually full enlightenment.