The Concept of Kaizen: A Root Exploration

Abstract

The Kaizen concept laid the foundation for the rapid growth of Japanese institutions. (Imaai 1986). The Kaizen concept was developed by further developing the concept of Western management, which examines organizational progress from two perspectives: maintenance and growth. Accordingly, growth is categorized as Kaizen and innovation. Of these, Kaizen means continuous growth. It refers to the growth that takes place until the arrival of an innovation. This means that Kaizen is an endless journey. Provides answers to every little problem encountered during this trip. Everyone’s support is sought for that. Second, it standardizes those answers. Nor does that standard last long. Or there is no obligation to stay that way. Breaks existing standards and adopts new ones. The journey is continuous and systematic. It is also progressive as it often moves from one standard to a higher standard. This new management thinking is intertwined with Japanese culture. It shows collective social characteristics. The purpose of this article is to analyze the ancient practice of the concept of continuous growth, called Kaizen by the Japanese. For that, the way in which Gautama Buddha solved the problems of monks 2600 years ago is being investigated. There, the manner in which the Buddha acted in imposing discipline on the vessel under the Buddhakavatthundaka of the Chullawaggapaliya in the Vinaya Pitaka is examined. 29 issues that arose from time to time regarding the bowl and the solutions given to them were examined. At first glance those problems are simple. But the Buddha did not ignore those problems. All those problems have been solved. All of those solutions were standardized at the same time. It never took long for a complete solution. The question is answered as much and as needed. The principles of the Kaizen concept are very similar to those of the Supreme Buddha’s method of problem solving. It is therefore more justifiable to regard Buddhist philosophy as the source of the Kaizen concept.