Rinzai school

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The dry garden at Ryōan-ji, a Rinzai Zen temple in Kyoto.

The Rinzai school (臨済宗; Japanese: Rinzai-shū, Chinese: línjì zōng) is one of the three Japanese Zen sects.

Rinzai Zen is known for the emphasis it places on kensho ("seeing one's true nature", or enlightenment) as the gateway to authentic Buddhist practice, and for its insistence on many years of post-enlightenment training to integrate enlightenment with the activities of daily life. Training centered on koan is one tool to this end, which the Rinzai school, particularly from the time of Hakuin Ekaku, developed to a high degree. Rinzai is the Japanese line of the Chinese Linji school, which was founded during the Tang Dynasty by Linji Yixuan. It was first brought to Japan by Myōan Eisai in 1191.

Myōan Eisai, founder of the Rinzai School of Zen in Japan, 12th century.

[edit] Characteristics

Rinzai Zen in Japan is not a single organized body. Rather, it is divided into 15 sub-schools, referred to by the name of their head temples. The largest and most influential of these is the Myoshin-ji branch, whose head temple was founded in 1342 by Kanzan Egen Zenji (1277–1360). Other major branches include Nanzen-ji, Tenryū-ji, Daitoku-ji, and Tofuku-ji. It should be noted that these sub-schools are purely organizational divisions arising from temple history and teacher-student lineage, and do not today represent sectarian divide or difference in fundamental practice.

Upon its arrival in Japan, Rinzai Zen was patronized by the samurai; this support by the ruling elites led to Rinzai involvement in the development of Japanese cultural arts such as calligraphy, literature, tea ceremony, and martial arts. The Rinzai style has been characterized as somewhat martial or sharp, much in the spirit of Linji Yixuan, and it is often contrasted with another sect of Zen deeply established in Japan, Sōtō, which has been called more gentle and even rustic in spirit. A Japanese saying reflects these perceptions: "Rinzai for the Shōgun, Sōtō for the peasants" (JPN: "臨済将軍、曹洞土民" Rinzai Shōgun, Sōtō Domin). In reality, however, both Rinzai and Soto Zen use many of the same training methods, and their differences may be said to be stylistic ones, rather than ones of substance or goal.

Aside from Rinzai and Soto, there is a third tradition of Zen present in Japan, the Obaku Zen sect. Obaku is also descended from the Chinese Linji school. However, it was brought to Japan several centuries later, in the 17th century, and shows significant influences from the Pure Land school, which are largely absent in the earlier Rinzai lines transmitted to Japan.

[edit] Later developments

During 18th century, the Rinzai school had undergone a period of decline and stagnation. At that time, a teacher named Hakuin Ekaku became prominent, and his vigorous methods spearheaded a long-lasting revival of Rinzai. Today, Hakuin is perhaps the most revered Rinzai ancestor. The influence of Hakuin and his successors was such that all Rinzai Zen masters today trace their lineage through him.

A number of Rinzai lines have been transplanted from Japan to Europe, the Americas, and Australia, and non-Japanese practitioners have been certified as teachers and successors of those lineages. Rinzai temples, as well as practice groups led by lay practitioners, may now be found in many nations.