Zen Buddhism. Soto or Rinzai. Beyond that, the question is what is Zen Buddhism.

Zen Buddhism is the Japanese form of Ch'an Buddhism which originated in China with the Indian monk Bodhidharma. Historically there have been a number of lineages of Ch'an and Zen but presently it takes the form of two main schools - Sōtō and Rinzai. There are also some forms of Zen which combine the two forms, especially in the west.

Sōtō Zen has its origins in the Caodang school of Ch'an Buddhism and the silent illumination teachings of Hongzhe. However, its origin is usually taken to rest with Eihei Dōgen (1200-1253) in the 13th century with Soji Keizan (1268-1325) being another important figure in the development of this school. Sōtō Zen emphasises 'just sitting' meditation (shikantaza) and the notion that practice itself is enlightenment. Historically it was the school of the peasant class rather than aristocracy.

Rinzai Zen traces its lineage back to Linji in 9th century China, although the current form of the school owes much to Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1768) who re-invigorated and revived it. In contrast to Sōtō Zen, Rinzai places a large emphasis on enlightenment experiences known as kensho (insight or awakening). Kensho is often achieved through the contemplation of koans, which are presentations of historic encounters between Ch'an masters of the past which pose seemingly confusion questions about reality. The most famous of these is probably "What is the sound of one hand clapping?".

Rinzai was the first of the Zen schools to come to the west with DT Suzuki popularising the form with his writings in the 20th century. Philip Kapleau's 'Three Pillars of Zen' was also of great influence.

Sōtō Zen came to the west with teachers such as Katagiri Roshi and Shuryu Suzuki Roshi, whose book 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind' is considered a Buddhist classic.

the one that made the religion in japan is bodda gautama is also know as bodda in japaness word Many practitioners in Japan have contributed to Zen over the centuries. The teachings of Hakuin Zenji, Rinzai Zenji, and Dogen Zenji are but a few of a great many very famous zen masters whose teachings are still passed on today. Dogen Zenji is considered the founder of Soto Zen, while Rinzai is considered the founder of Rinzai Zen, two similar but yet differing schools within the Japanese tradition. These guys were some very fascinating and dedicated characters whose lives have affected millions of people around the world. Much of their scriptures are available today and provide both insight into our lives, inspiration, and a healthy dose of entertainment.

Korean Buddhism is somewhat concerned with theological doctrines, as are many schools of Mahayana Buddhism.

There are several forms of Buddhism practiced in South Korea, but the most common is the Chogye, the Korean Rinzai Zen school of Mahayana Buddhism. There is little truly distinct about Korean Buddhism.

There is one element, however. In Mahayana Buddhism, there is the view that the Buddha left a successor, Mahakashyapa, as the second Buddhist patriarch. Zen Buddhism believes that the founder of Ch'an/Zen, Bodhidharma, was the tenth Buddhist patriarch. Most of Zen Buddhism believes that there were only 28 Buddhist patriarchs. The 28th gave his transmission to many successors, thus ending the lineage of Buddhist patriarchs.

But there are two schools of Korean Rinzai Zen, Chogye and one other, which both believe that the head of their sect is the current patriarch of all Buddhism. Thus these two schools of Korean Rinzai Zen are sometimes referred to as "Patriarchal Zen".