In contrast to the Soto Zen school which spreads through regional clans and the general people, the Rinzai School received support from Samurai families in government, and was esteemed in the politics and culture.
同じ禅宗の曹洞宗が地方豪族や一般民衆に広まったのに対し、臨済宗は時の武家政権に支持され、政治・文化に重んじられた。