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Linji Yixuan 臨濟義玄 (J., Rinzai Gigen, d. 866)
Linji Yixuan 臨濟義玄 (J., Rinzai Gigen, d. 866)

The Rinzai school, comprised of fourteen branches, is one of three sects of Zen practiced in modern day Japan—the other two are the Obaku and Soto schools. The school—like the Obaku—is a Japanese offshoot of the Linji Ch'an school of China founded by the Chinese master Linji Yixuan 臨濟義玄 (J., Rinzai Gigen, d. 866)—brought to Japan by the monk Myoan Eisai in 1192.

Contents

[edit] Background

[edit] Myoan Eisai

Myoan Eisai
Myoan Eisai

Myoan Eisai (1141—1215) is the credited founder of the Japanese Rinzai school—the first school of Zen in Japan—said to have been established in 1192. Essai had been to China and studied Linji Ch'an in the late 12th century, staying at a monastery and receiving shiho. Upon returning he founded the Rinzai school's first temple—Shofuku-ji. It was a harsh beginning for the new school—the Tendai and Shingon sects of Japanese Buddhism were not eager to recognize this new strain of Buddhism in their land. Eisai helped to further this divide when, in 1192, he declared Zen to be the most superior Japanese sect.[1]

By command of the Emperor Tsuchimikado—and with the support of shogun Minamoto no Yoriie—Kennin-ji was opened in Kyoto in 1202, with Eisai installed as its first Abbot. Considered to be the first significant Rinzai temple to emerge, adherents practiced a mixture of Rinzai, Tendai, and Shingon until the emergence of the temple's 11th abbot—Lanxi Daolong (jap. Rankei Doryu or Daikaku Zenji). Lanxi Daolong had moved to Japan from China in 1246. Known as a strict teacher who utilized the use of koans and zazen, he also served as first Abbot of Kencho-ji (founded in 1253).[2][3]



Because Rinzai Zen held a belief that monks could be warriors, it became the religion of choice for the Samurai of Japan.[1]

[edit] Hakuin Ekaku

Main article: Hakuin Ekaku

Haiku

[edit] Yinyuan Longqi

Main article: Yinyuan Longqi

[edit] Today

  • Joint Council for Rinzai and Obaku Zen

[edit] Branches

There are fourteen branches of the Rinzai school referred to by the name of their head temples, each autonomous yet unified in the fundamentals of training. Sometimes there are considered to be fifteen Rinzai branches—if one includes the Obaku head temple (Mampuku-ji　). The following is a list of all fourteen branches:

[edit] Rinzai vs. Soto

Rinzai has commonly been differentiated from the Soto sect by its use of koans, though for centuries several Soto lineages have introduced koans into their curriculums. The major differences between the Rinzai and Soto schools are sectarian in nature, arguments over their approaches toward zazen. There are adherents of the Soto school that accuse the Rinzai of being preoccupied with words, while some Rinzai accuse the Soto school of being attached to shikantaza.[4]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b Fowler, 97-101
  2. ^ Ives, 51-69
  3. ^ Head Temples - Kennin-ji
  4. ^ Rui Zhu

[edit] References

  • Head Temples - Kennin-ji. Joint Council for Rinzai and Obaku Zen. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
  • Fowler, Merv (2005). Zen Buddhism: Beliefs and Practices. Sussex Academic Press. ISBN 1902210425. 
  • Ives, Christopher (1992). Zen Awakening and Society. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0824814533. 
  • Rui Zhu (July 2005), “Distinguishing Soto and Rinzai Zen: Manas and The Mental Mechanics of Meditation”, Philosophy East & West (University of Hawai'i Press) 55 (3): 426-446, ISSN 0031-8221 
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