Buddhism in Tradition, Culture and Society of Japan

Maksimović, Marijana (2020) Buddhism in Tradition, Culture and Society of Japan. In: Religions, Identities, Policies (Points of Convergence and Divergence). Institut društvenih nauka, Beograd, p. 35. ISBN 978-86-7093-231-9

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Abstract

Buddhism is Japan’s second largest religion, right behind Shinto. It includes multiple traditions and movements, but in Japan, it was domesticated as Zen Buddhism. Buddhism also exists in China, and it is called Chen there. Zen Buddhism has had an impact on Japanese tradition, culture and society as a whole. For example, through Buddhism, samurais despised the fear of death and developed courage, mercy, courtesy, truthfulness and honesty, honor, loyalty and self-control. Then, Zen Buddhism has had a major influence on sports, and this is reflected in martial arts (sports and skills). It is also visible in the rituals associated with the tea ceremony, or in poetry. The very nature of Zen is such that it rejects everything that is secondary, superfluous, imposed, and verbal. The Zen mind is a beginner’s mind, which means a mind that is ready to receive new knowledge, to acquire new skills. The Zen containing typically Japanese features summarizes elements of Buddhism from China and India, as well as Japanese ethical and cultural characteristics.

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