Rinzai (臨済) is one sect of Zen. The Rinzai school is known for its emphasis on sudden enlightenment and the use of devices like the koan to achieve this end. Founded in Tang China, it later spread to Japan.
Linji (臨済; JapaneseRinzai; also romanized Lin-chi) was the ChineseTang Dynasty founder of the Linji sect of Zen Buddhism. He died in 866. His style of teaching was characterized by harsh encounters with students, aiming to bring about the moment of enlightenment (satori) by punching, kicking, slapping, etc. His sermons were collected into the Lin-chi lu (Chinese; Japanese: Rinzai Roku) (Record of Lin-chi) by his students. The school was first brought to Japan by Eisai in 1191.
The Rinzai school has historically been closely linked to various martial-arts
traditions in Japan, China, and Korea. In pre-modern Japan, Rinzai was widely popular among the warrior aristocracy and samurai, in distinction from Soto Zen which was more associated with artists and poets.
Rinzai (臨済) is one sect of