Zen Without Jargon | Part V

In practicing Zen, there are two "Buzzwords," that have been added to the English lexicon. One is the Rinzai School and the other is the Soto School of Zen. A couple months ago, I happened to sit with a group and they discussed the differences between Rinzai and Soto schools. What I found a little (or a lot) perplexing is that while some spoke very authoritatively on certain aspects of the schools, non of them actually trained with a teacher that was either Rinzai or Soto. While those speaking on the subject were well intentioned, they were also riding on information that they had gotten in a book and not the "real-time," actual experience.

When the question comes up as to the difference, there is usually a hallmark response. Rinzai Zen practices with "Koans," and Soto Zen focuses on the practice of "Shikantaza," (translated a s"Just Sitting") pretty much to the exclusion of all else and rejects the use of koan practice. In point of fact, that's not actually true. In fact Dogen Zenji who is considered the "father," of Soto Zen was actually originally trained in Rinzai Zen and engaged in koan study. It should also be noted that he actively used koan in his training. To further this point John Daido Loori Roshi completed an book called, "The True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen's Three Hundred Koans." Daido Roshi also happenes to be considered a leading Soto teacher in America.

When I first started training at Dai Bosatsu Zendo, in Livingston Manor, New York I asked Junpo Denis Kelley who was the Vice Abbot at the time what the difference was. He had actually practiced Soto Zen in California early on and I thought he would be the "right," person to ask. His response was what I later found to be typical "Junpo." He said, "Soto is like having an apple tree. If you wait long enough - the apple gets ripe and (usually) falls. In Rinzai Zen, we walk up to the apple tree, shake it a lot and for the apple to fall. But just because the apple falls doesn't mean that it's ripe. You just managed to knock it out of the tree. So we take the time to rippen and season the apple with our ceaseless practice." The message received loud and clear.

Speaking of Dai Bosastu Zendo and Zen schools, I'd also like to mention that Eido Tai Shimano Roshi who is the Abbot there and firmly in the Rinzai camp, also trained with Yasutani Hakuun Roshi. For some inside baseball and what most people don't know is that the training must have been of a fairly close in nature as Yasutani Roshi offered Eido Roshi "Inka," and was going to give him the Dharma name "Jiun," which means "Compassionate Cloud," though for whatever reason he declined the honor.

I mention this because when I trained at DBZ, Eido Roshi had no problem incorporating, harmonizing and merging aspects of his experience with Yasutani Roshi, into the overall training there. Put another way, though Eido Roshi is from Japan, learned the English language, he became an American citizen and accomplished many other things. He incorporated, harmonized and merged. My experience was that Eido Roshi's interest was in just training well. Here we tend to have "all or nothing," propositions. Middle ground is a difficult place in our culture.

My up-close and personal experience as a Rinzai Zen Buddhist is making the specific and dedicated effort to Awaken and See things as Is. I'll tell you now that Rinzai Zen is not for everyone and that's okay, because if You are practicing Soto Zen or some other tradition, that's all that really matters. Just practice with Eyes and heart open.

I train Rinzai Zen with my teacher Genjo Marinello Osho, because I sense an urgency to my life that not just about helping myself but others too. I See, Feel and notice impermanence, and what goes comes with it all the time. I don't know why I was born so attuned, all I know is that it's encoded in my DNA. For this reason, I'm not comfortable waiting for the apple to fall. My DNA is compels me to shake the tree and bring down some green apples and let them rippen in my hands.

In closing for today, there two things that I would mention. If you do have an interest in "Traditions," check out this link at the American Zen Teachers Association. You might find some interesting information there.

The second thing is that, if Your path calls You to not shake the tree, encouraging You to just wait and let the apple fall, listen and follow that instinct without pause. That's fine. Let's not think in terms of which so called school or tradition is "best." Better that we spend our time just practicing The Way. Being overly intellectual will not help.

In Gassho,

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO

Comments

[~C4Chaos]

love the apple tree analogy! i think it captures very well the two approaches to practice (e.g. sudden vs. gradual enlightenment).

i think we have similar DNA too. i like shaking the tree. i just prefer to share it via vipassana-style of shaking ;)

btw, since you practice with the Rinzai school, i'm interested to hear your take on Joshu Sasaki Roshi. have you (or your teachers) practiced with this oldest Zen Master?

i haven't practiced with Sasaki Roshi but he's one of the main teachers of my teacher (Shinzen Young). Shinzen's formulation of impermanence (e.g. expansion and contraction) are based on Sasaki's teachings. i find it very helpful in my practice. so although i don't explicitly practice Rinzai-style, i have elements in my practice from a recognized Rinzai master.

thanks for your insightful posts. keep 'em coming.

~C

[jayeZERO]

Though I have heard of Joshu Sasaki Roshi, I am not directly familiar with his teachings/practice other than he is one of two major Rinzai lines in America. I'm planning on listening to one of Shinzen Young's books to get a flavor of his practice.

That we are all the same, it makes sense to me that we share mutual DNA. ~Seiho

[Jack Daw]

It has always seemed to me that both soto and rinzai zen grab elements/techniques that were traditionally known from the other school. Some soto teachers prefer koans more than some rinzai and some rinzai place great emphasis on shikantaza.

A good teacher will always branch to other schools to see if other methods would work as well.

cheers,

[Ellen Etc]

The problem could be staying "firmly in one camp or another." The camps are not important to me.

Your point about inclination is well taken. It's one's own life, not a textbook case, so go steadfastly toward that which calls. Presently, I seem to be called in the koan way, aka The Way of Frustration. Working for me so far.