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Soto Zen has as its foundation a form of seated meditation called zazen. Our practice emphasizes simplicity, clarity, and being present, all of which we encounter when we sit in meditation and carry these qualities into the activity of our daily lives. It is through our meditation practice that we begin to see that we are distracted, fearful, angry, or greedy and to transform ourselves for the benefit of ourselves and our society. As Shunryu Suzuki Roshi writes, "Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine."
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The core teachings and the practices of generosity, ethical discipline, patience, joyful effort, concentration, and wisdom encourage us to engage in compassionate action.
What is Soto Zen?
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Buddhism is said to have originated in India and then traveled to China where it became Chan and was then transmitted to Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. The Zen tradition that we practice came to the United States from Japan where our teacher was trained.
"A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it." From Dogen Zenji
