What is the zen religion?

Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes direct experience and meditation as a means to achieve enlightenment. Originating in China as Chan Buddhism, it later spread to Japan and other parts of the world. Zen practices focus on mindfulness, simplicity, and the cultivation of a deep awareness of the present moment, often through zazen (sitting meditation). It values intuition and personal insight over doctrinal knowledge, encouraging practitioners to discover their own understanding of reality.