Buddhism had its origins in India in the sixth century B.C.E., through the dedicated effort and enlightened experience of Shakyamuni Buddha. At the start of the Common Era, Buddhism migrated to China, where, through the influence of Taoism, it developed spontaneity and naturalness, resulting in the creation of Zen (Ch’an) in the sixth century.
Soto Zen was developed in the ninth century by the Chinese Monks Sozan and Tozan; the first syllables of their names make up the name of the school they created. Its unique insights into the expression of spirituality in ordinary life derive from the teachings of the Japanese monk Eihei Dogen who brought the practice to Japan in the thirteenth century.
Soto Zen was introduced to the west in the mid 1950's by Zen masters who came from Japan, China, Korea, and Viet Nam. As individuals were attracted to the practice over the next several generations, Zen centers were established through the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. As interest in the practice grew, serious minded men and women committed themselves to bringing Soto Zen to the west and making it available to everyone without restriction.