Rinzai Zen ranks and hierarchy

1 rinzai

1.1 hōkai

1.1.1 shami
1.1.2 jūshoku
1.1.3 shike


1.2 tokyū

rinzai

at myōshin-ji, 2 kinds of ranking systems being used rank sōryo ( member of educated clergy, priest, opposed monk , namely hokai (dharma rank) , tokyū-class system.

hōkai

the hōkai (dharma rank) system used denote ranks in buddhist clerical career hierarchy. has fourteen ranks , titles, starting shami rank. central, temporary phase in career stay in monastery few years. half of jūshoku (priests) connected myōshin-ji stayed there less 2 years, , 10% shorter 1 year. stay @ monastery meant learn skills , social role necessary function priest:

[t]he goal of zen not inner state of tranquility social reconstruction of self

shami

ordination, called tokudo-shiki, takes place @ young age, between 6 , 20. of ordained temple sons, , no special value given ceremony. time since ordination hōrō seniority, 1 of factors in obtaining tokyū-grades.

lay-ordination rinzai-school takes place through jukai.

jūshoku

the suiji-shiki ceremony performed when 1 has finished formal training period , ready start assistant-priest, 1 s father temple . hereby 1 gains rank of oshō, priest.

in rinzai-school, difference made between acknowledgement of insight , succession in organisation:

from rinzai perspective, true realization (jisshō) , succession master (shijō) 2 different stages in course of practice，the latter implying comprehensive integration of awakening in activities of everyday life.

the common form of transmission in rinzai zen acknowledgement 1 has stayed in monastery amount of time, , may later become temple priest.

after finishing koan-study, further practice necessary:

[i]t take 10 years solve kōans [...] in sōdō. after student has solved koans, can leave sôdô , live on own, still not considered roshi. has complete ten years of training, called go-go-no-shugyō in japanese. literally, means practice after satori/enlightenment , fukushima preferred translation special practice . fukushima explain student builds religious personality during decade. kind of period functions test if student able live in regular society , apply koan understanding daily life, after has lived in environment can quite surreal , detached lives of rest of humanity. usually, student lives in small parish temple during decade, not in formal training monastery.

shike

three of highest ranks shike ( zen master (of training hall)), rekijō , tokujūshoku (kancō, abbot).

according roshi sokun tsushimoto, title of shike equivalent zen master , roshi:

roshi title compatible formal title shike got officially authorized dharma successor authentic master.

the shike has received inka-shōmei or dharma transmission. inka-shōmei used transmission of true lineage of masters (shike) of training halls. there fifty eighty of such inka-shōmei bearers in japan:

in rinzai zen, relatively easy rōshi , not. authorized roshi (i.e. teacher) rōshi. authorization (officially inka-shōmei document) documented on piece of paper, why called colloquially ichi-mai , 1 sheet (of paper) . transmission totally vertical teacher student, no peer control involved. means rinzai sect has no means control made rōshi , not. in spite of that, number of rinzai rōshi relatively low, maybe around 50 or so.

inka attested written document:

[t]he full recognition conferred master upon disciple whom intends make successor [...] takes form of written certification (inka)，but there have been cases of true acknowledgement in no document has been bestowed.

according roshi sokun tsushimoto,

authorization roshi should done in formal , explicit way. in rinzai tradition master gives calligraphy of inka-certificate disciple proof of authorization. needless authorization must backed fact disciple spent many years in zen training under master earnestly , continuously.

but according mohr,

in rinzai school issue of dharma transmission subjective, is，left discretion of master，and ambiguity of terms such “successor in dharma” (hassu 法b司) has persisted down present. according context or circumstances, can signify either spiritual recognition or inheritance of temple lineaee.

the shike not married. he...

[h]as prestige , owns respect of being true zen master, living symbol of zen monastic tradition, quintessence of zen virtues ideally incarnating wisdom, spirituality, strict discipline, individuality, , yet gentle social personality.

the shike head of sect (subschool of rinzai-school, own head temple). appoints , dismisses priests, , appoints titles in ranking system. yet, position abbot [at myōshinji] based on election, each elected period lasting 4 years .

tokyū

the tokyū-class system teacher-grade system. second grade, progressing takes place through taking exams, or through mushiken kentei, authorization without examination. age, seniority, amount of practice in sodo, , educational level play part in authorization:

for instance, become shami 1 has @ least 5 years old, , title of zenjūshoku 1 has @ least forty years old , hōrō seniority of thirty years.

a part-time career program offered ange-o-system, aimed @ persons wishing become full-time or part-time temple-priest, don t have opportunity spend required years in sōdō.

besides official ranking, several honorific titles being used:

oshō ( virtuous monk ) being used educated teacher (kyōshi) above zendōshoku rank, persons acquire having spent time in monastery osho-san used respect , affection.
dai-osho not commonly used in rinzai priesthood. respectfully used deceased priests.
daizenji ( great master ) attached oshō-title when has zenjūshoku or dai kyōshi rank.
rōshi used teacher of dai kyōshi grade, older teachers. in west title rōshi has acquired meaning of enlightened zen master .




^ borup 2008, p. 54.
^ borup 2008.
^ borup 2008, p. 57.
^ borup 2008, p. 56, citing odin 1996 p.453.
^ borup 2008, p. 175.
^ borup 2008, p. 176.
^ borup 2008, p. 180.
^ mohr 1994, p. 359.
^ borup 2008, p. 177.
^ borup 2008, p. 13.
^ borup 2008, p. 177-178.
^ borup 2008, p. 58.
^ boeddhistisch dagblad, 17 april 2013, rients ritskes op beschuldiging: ‘raksu formeel uitgereikt als bewijs van competent zenleiderschap’
^ more information on sokun tsushimoto, see japan times online: caring body , soul. interview sokun tsushimoto
^ borup 2008, p. 178-179.
^ mohr 1994, p. 358.
^ borup 2008, p. 60.
^ borup 2008, p. 60-61.
^ borup 2008, p. 61.
^ borup 2008, p. 59-60.

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