WHAT IS ZEN?
The word “Zen” comes from the Chinese word chan, which in turn is a transliteration of the Sanskrit dhyana, meaning the sustained, one-pointed union of concentration, awareness and consciousness. Zen is the yogic form of Buddhist meditation as taught in Japan.
WHAT IS SOTO ZEN?
The Soto School is one of the three main branches of Zen in Japan. Founded over 1000 years ago, Soto Zen emphasizes the interplay of universal truth, everyday life, and teaching. Main practices include zazen (seated formless meditation), awareness in everyday tasks such as work, and intimacy in bothface-to- face meetings with the teacher, and side-by-side relationships with others.