Soto Zen Buddhism

Soto Zen Buddhism is a tradition that emphasizes seated meditation (zazen) as a way to realize one’s true nature and embody enlightenment in everyday life. Rooted in Japanese Buddhism, it promotes a simple, disciplined practice of sitting quietly to cultivate mindfulness, awareness, and compassion. Soto Zen stresses that enlightenment is not separate from daily actions—by fully engaging in the present moment, practitioners naturally cultivate wisdom and serenity. It values tradition, direct experience, and humility, inviting practitioners to see the sacred in ordinary life and to embody their practice beyond formal meditation sessions.