noun
Soto school (of Zen Buddhism)
One of the major schools of Japanese Zen Buddhism, emphasizing shikantaza (just sitting) meditation.
曹洞宗の修行では、ただひたすらに坐禅を組むことが重視される。
In Soto school practice, emphasis is placed on simply sitting in zazen wholeheartedly.
Rinzai school, another major Zen sect, which often uses koans in practice, contrasting with Soto's focus on shikantaza.
From the names of the Chinese founders, 曹渓 (Sōkei) and 洞山 (Tōzan), combined with 宗 (school).