The Japanese suffix '宗 (しゅう)' means 'sect' and is commonly used in the context of religious or philosophical schools. It refers to a specific branch or tradition within a larger religious or philosophical system. For example, in Buddhism, it is used to denote different sects such as Zen Buddhism (禅宗, ぜんしゅう) or Pure Land Buddhism (浄土宗, じょうどしゅう). The suffix can also be used more broadly to refer to any organized group or school of thought. Example sentences: He belongs to the Zen sect「彼は禅宗です」(かれはぜんしゅうです). This temple is affiliated with the Pure Land sect「この寺は浄土宗です」(このてらはじょうどしゅうです).