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(Redirected from Rinzai School)
The 'Rinzai school' (臨済宗; Japanese: ''Rinzai-shū'', Chinese: ''línjì zōng'') is one of the three Japanese . 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 the year 1191.
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 exhaustive post-enlightenment training to embody the free functioning of wisdom within 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 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 itself 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 rather than of substance, goal or rigor.
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 in the 17th century, and shows significant influences from the Pure Land school. This reflects the syncretistic tendencies that developed in Chinese Buddhism in the centuries after the earlier Rinzai lines had been transmitted to Japan.
By the 18th century, the Rinzai school had entered a period of stagnation and decline. At that time, the priest Hakuin Ekaku became prominent as a revitalizer and organizer of Rinzai Zen, and his vigorous methods spearheaded a long-lasting revival. 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.
"Mahayana Buddhism" Paul Williams, Routledge, ISBN 0-415-02537-0
★ Official site of The Joint Council for Japanese Rinzai and Obaku Zen (both Japanese and English language)
The 'Rinzai school' (臨済宗; Japanese: ''Rinzai-shū'', Chinese: ''línjì zōng'') is one of the three Japanese . 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 the year 1191.
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 exhaustive post-enlightenment training to embody the free functioning of wisdom within 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.
| Contents |
| Characteristics |
| Later developments |
| References |
| Links |
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 itself 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 rather than of substance, goal or rigor.
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 in the 17th century, and shows significant influences from the Pure Land school. This reflects the syncretistic tendencies that developed in Chinese Buddhism in the centuries after the earlier Rinzai lines had been transmitted to Japan.
Later developments
By the 18th century, the Rinzai school had entered a period of stagnation and decline. At that time, the priest Hakuin Ekaku became prominent as a revitalizer and organizer of Rinzai Zen, and his vigorous methods spearheaded a long-lasting revival. 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.
References
"Mahayana Buddhism" Paul Williams, Routledge, ISBN 0-415-02537-0
Links
★ Official site of The Joint Council for Japanese Rinzai and Obaku Zen (both Japanese and English language)
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