Although the Rinzai branch is relatively small, and is in turn divided into sub-branches that often correspond to individual temples in Japan, Rinzai Zen is famously the fastest and most effective path to self realization. This is because Rinzai teachers emphasize direct experience over intellect or piety in their communication of the Buddha Dharma.
The living example today is Kyozan Joshu Sasaki, senior roshi of the Rinzai sect, founder and chief abbot of the Rinzaiji community in North America. Born in Japan in 1907, Joshu Roshi came to America in 1962 at the invitation of Zen enthusiasts in the Los Angeles area. He founded Rinzai-Ji, his principal Los Angeles temple, in 1968 and in the same year founded the Vancouver Zen Center in Canada. In 1972 he founded the Mount Baldy Zen Center in California, now the principal Rinzaiji training center, and in 1973 the Bodhi Manda Center in New Mexico. There are now 20 Zen centers throughout North America affiliated with Sasaki Roshi.
"Tozan" is the dharma name of the author and moderator of this blog, who for too brief a time was able to learn under Sasaki Roshi's guidance at the Vancouver Zen Center in the late 1960s. Thanks to the many homonyms of the Japanese language the name has several meanings, including "going on foot," "laboriously climbing" and, of course, the Japanese form of Tung-Shan, co-founder of the Chinese Ts'ao-Tung (Soto) school of Zen. That illustrious Tozan's verses outlining the Five Ranks, or five degrees of realization, are among the classical landmarks of Chinese Zen.
Although this blog deals primarily with Rinzai Zen, there is no contention that any school of Zen is superior to another. One's choice of a particular path is a matter of temperament more than technical competence. However at a time when a great deal of misinformation - and often outright nonsense! - is published under the purported banner of Zen there is a need for both accuracy and clarity in public discussions of this most important subject.
