Student B: What is the basic difference between the Rinzai and Soto zazen? Is there much difference?
SR: Both have some different characteristic. We are concentrated on the fundamental way or traditional way originated from Buddha. And Rinzai emphasize its own characteristic character or “family” way, we say "kafu" family way. We have five families in China. Zen has five families. Rinzai, Soto, Obaku: those three were introduced to Japan. And Igyo, Ummon. There are some more. Hogen, Igyo—oh, I said Igyo. Five or seven schools. We do not emphasize our family way so much, but fundamental way. We treat Zen as Buddhism itself. Not Zen, but Buddhism. For us Zen and Buddhism is same. But for Rinzai, Buddhism is not good enough; Rinzai is better. [Laughs, laughter] that is Rinzai’s idea [laughs]. We think Buddhism and Zen is the same. --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 65-12-11-A - as found on shunryusuzuki.com, from one of the newly discovered (2021) or recently significantly added to or changed lecture tapes. Edited by DC - Going through Suzuki lectures and posting anything that can stand on its own. Not looking for zingers or "the best of." I find that following these excerpts daily provides another way to experience Suzuki's teaching. Go to https://www.instagram.com/cuke_archives/ for more daily Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo