Much of that culture was inspired by the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and its sense of discipline and self-control, its austere philosophy of art and life.
The biggest and most important influence to that culture was the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. 
mnli hypothesis: The biggest and most important influence to that culture was the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.  premise: Much of that culture was inspired by the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and its sense of discipline and self-control, its austere philosophy of art and life.