Rinzai School

The Rinzai School is one of the major sects of Zen Buddhism, originating in Japan in the 12th century. It emphasizes rigorous meditation practices, particularly the use of koans—cryptic questions or statements meant to provoke deep thought and insight. Rinzai seeks to achieve sudden enlightenment through intense training and discipline, often in a monastery setting. Its approach combines meditative practices with a focus on direct experience and intuition, making it distinct from other Zen traditions. Rinzai aims to help practitioners realize their true nature and experience the world without conceptual barriers.