In comparison to Soto, Rinzai teachers did not have so many followers. But
most Rinzai students are people who actually practice zazen.. This is very
good. Even though they do not have many followers,
the followers they have are sincere students who practice zazen. But the practice
itself is narrow. It is a kind of special practice for some special people. So that is why Rinzai school did not
develop to have many supporters. That is the bad point
of Rinzai school. We cannot compare actually-- we cannot say Soto is good or Rinzai is good.
It is difficult to say which is better. I think both Rinzai
and Soto should exist. -------------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-07-24 as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC [DC comment - I frequently feel uncomfortable when he talks about other sects.].
