Zen Meditation

Zen is a tradition of Mahayana Buddhism that developed in China, where it is known as Chan. Its roots reach back to Indian Buddhist meditation. Over time, Chinese teachers and communities shaped these teachings into a distinctive tradition emphasizing practice and learning directly from a teacher.

During China's Tang dynasty, Chan communities developed accounts of teaching lineages connecting teachers and students. These accounts combine historical events with traditional stories. They express the importance of passing on a living practice, alongside studying Buddhist texts.

From China, related traditions spread to Vietnam as Thiền, Korea as Seon, and Japan as Zen. In Japan, Eisai helped establish the Rinzai tradition in the late twelfth century. Dōgen traveled to China in the thirteenth century and brought back teachings that became the foundation of Japanese Sōtō Zen.

After Dōgen, successive generations of teachers continued to develop Sōtō Zen. Keizan and his students played an important role in extending its communities and teachings throughout Japan. This history reflects the work of many people passing meditation, Buddhist teachings, and community practice from one generation to the next.