Japan's Modernization and Buddhism

Abstract

The question as to the role of traditional Japanese culture, as it developed during ancient and feudal times, in modern society, or as to its historical significance, is a question of extreme importance and, at the same time, a question which is not easily answered. Also the question of the relationship between Japan's modernization and Buddhism is, in fact, a part of the larger subject, namely, of the influence of traditional culture today. In the field of art, much basic research on the so-called modern period since the Meiji era has been undertaken; in contrast to this, the study of Buddhism in modern Japan lags far behind. Works of genuine academic achievement are few. Although there is the Nihon kindai bukkyo-shi kenkya (A Study of the History of Buddhism in Modern Japan) by Kynichi Yoshida, it may be that the time for a scholarly and documented survey of the connection between Japan's modernization and Buddhism has not yet arrived. I am really not a specialist in the history of modern Buddhism and thus totally unqualified to write on such a subject. However, as I am interested in both the history of Japanese Buddhism and the history of modern thought, and have some impressions though perhaps academically unsound about the connection between Japan's modernization and Buddhism, I have decided