ZEN in Japan
By "Dotetsuzenji"
Who brought Zen to Japan?
Myoan Eisai (1141-1215), a Japanese Zen master brought Rinzai Zen from China to Japan. He succeeded in establishing the first Zen temple Kenninji, in Kyoto. Another Zen master Dogenzenji, was the founder of Soto Zen.
Who, or what, is Rinzai?
Lin Chi Lu, renowned Chinese Chán master was the student of master Hung Po. Rinzai is the Japanes name for Lin Chi. He established a school of Buddhism in his own name after persecution from Chinese Buddhists. His school not only flourished but was considered the most important Buddhist school in China. Sudden awakening is emphasised in the Rinzai school. So, Rinzai is the name of both a Zen master and a Zen school.
What is the difference between Rinzai Zen and Soto Zen?
There are several differences. Soto Zen is a school of gradual awakening but Rinzai Zen is sudden. Rinzai Zen uses sudden and spontaneous sounds or motions such as shouting, odd questions or unexpected blows (with a stick or pushing). In Soto Zen there are no such surprises and shocks. In contrast to Soto Zen, Rinzai Zen uses Koan as a short cut to Satori and the breathing exercises of the two schools differ too. The founder of Soto Zen is Dogenzenji and the founder of Rinzai Zen is Lin Chi Lu (Rinzai Roku).
How was Zen developed in Japan?
Zen ,in the form of Chán was developed in China during the Tang and Song dynasties. The School of Painting also flourished at the same time. Zen followers travelled between China and Japan. In the 13th century, at the beginning of the Kamakura period, the art of painting was brought to Japan where it was welcomed wholeheartedly and with deep appreciation. Today you can still find the art in most Japanese temples, and it is considered National Treasure.
What was in this art that attracted the Japanese?
Outstanding skill and the depiction of essential concepts, such as emptiness, nature, silence, loneliness, simplicity, renunciation, consolidation and other such important symbols appealed to Japanese mind.
How was the Indian Buddha translated to “Zen Buddha”?
The distinctive character of Japanese and Chinese culture, the psychological make-up of the people and the way their philosophers thought made possible the change from Indian Buddhism to Zen Buddhism. Thus, Zen is Chinese mind rather than Indian thought.
How do you evaluate the influence of the Buddha's Doctrine on Japanese culture?
To answer this important question. I’d like to quote the late Japanese philosopher, D.T. Suzuki. He was perfectly enlightened to the way of Zen and familiar with his culture.
What did he say?
In his book Zen and Japanese Culture, he says:
“It is impossible to speak of Japanese culture apart from Buddhism, for in every phase of its development we recognise the presence of Buddhist feeling in one way or another. There are in fact no departments of Japanese culture which have not undergone the baptism of Buddhist influence, so pervasive indeed, that we who are living in its midst are not at all conscious of it. Since its introduction into our country officially in the sixth century, Buddhism has ever been a most stimulating formative agent in the cultural history of Japan. We can almost state that the very fact of its introduction was due to the wish, on the part of the ruling classes of the time, to make Buddhism the agency of cultural advancement and political consideration”.
He continues:
“If we want to see the degree to which Buddhism has entered into the history and life of the Japanese people, let us imagine that all the temples and the treasures sheltered therein were completely destroyed. Then we should feel what a desolate place Japan would be, in spite of all her natural beauty and kindly disposed people. The country would then look like a deserted house with no furniture, no pictures, no screen, no sculptures, no tapestries, no garden, no flower arrangement, no art of tea, and so on.”