Our name is Soto Zen Community Middle Path (CSZCM), The term Zen is very well known today but the term Soto is not so well known, which is why we have considered it necessary to create this short entry on our community's blog., to give a few brief touches on the origin of this Buddhist tradition, its fundamental characteristics and how the practice and teaching it offers us can be integrated into our daily lives.
Soto Zen is the name of one of the main schools of Zen Buddhism, originally from China and later developed in Japan, although its germ dates back to Buddha Sakiamuni in India.
In Soto Zen spiritual practice focuses on seated meditation (zazen) as a direct way to achieve awakening and live fully and consciously, just as the Buddha performed under the Bodhi tree.
Origins of the Soto Zen school
The Soto Zen Buddhist school has its roots in Chinese Chan, a form of Buddhism that developed from the teachings of the Indian monk Bodhidharma in the 6th century. This Buddhist school focused on direct meditation and the personal experience of awakening., more than in sacred texts and complex rituals.
In the 13th century, Japanese monk Dogen Zenji traveled to China, where he studied with Chan masters (Zen in Japanese) from school Line report (Soto in Japanese). Upon returning to Japan, founded the Soto Zen school, carrying with him the essence of what he had learned: la práctica de zazen como el corazón del camino espiritual budista. Since then, The Soto Zen tradition has become one of the two main schools of Zen Buddhism in Japan, together with the Rinzai school.
The Practice of Zazen
Zazen, o sitting meditation, It is the central practice of Soto Zen. Unlike other forms of meditation, in zazen no se busca concentrarse en un objeto específico, mantra or image. instead, the practitioner simply sits in a stable posture, and allow thoughts to flow without clinging to them or rejecting them, whatever appears in the mind.
The goal is not to reach a particular state, much less leave the mind blank, but it's about being present in the moment, awake. Dogen enseñaba que la práctica de zazen es en sí misma la realización del despertar, not a means to achieve it at some point in the future. This practice is often summarized in the concept of “Shikantaza.”, What does “just sit” mean?.
Soto Zen in Everyday Life
Dogen emphasized that the practice is not a quest to escape the world or seek transcendental states., but rather a path to living in harmony with the nature of reality as it is. This is reflected in the daily life of the Soto Zen practitioner., where every action, from preparing a meal to working, It is an expression of practice and awakening.
Practice is not just an activity that is carried out in the dojo or temple; It's a way of life. A través de la práctica regular de zazen, Practitioners develop a deep awareness of ourselves and our environment, which allows us to live more consciously, compassionate and balanced.
This awareness can be transferred to all areas of life, from personal relationships to work and interaction with society. The simplicity, Humility and respect for all forms of life are key values cultivated in the practice of Soto Zen.
Therefore, The Soto Zen school is more than a simple form of meditation; It is a path of life that seeks to integrate spiritual practice into every aspect of our existence.. Through zazen, We learn to be present in the here and now, embracing the transient nature of life and finding peace and balance in the midst of everyday reality.
Whether you're looking for a way to relieve stress, deepen your spiritual practice, or live a fuller and more conscious life, Soto Zen offers a clear and accessible path. Do you dare to take the first steps? We accompany you.