Sōtō Zen lineage

Sōtō Zen is a school of Japanese Buddhism emphasizing "shikantaza," or "just sitting," meditation to cultivate mindfulness and awakened awareness in everyday life. Its lineage traces back to the founder, Dōgen, who emphasized direct experience of enlightenment through meditation and mindful practice. The tradition values simplicity, discipline, and consistent practice as paths to insight. Sōtō Zen teachings have been passed down through generations of teachers and monasteries, maintaining a focus on meditation as the core practice for awakening. Overall, its lineage reflects a centuries-old commitment to integrating meditation into daily living as a means of deeply understanding reality.