January 14th 2009
Buddhism came to Japan from Korea about a thousand years after the Buddha was born. It became the state religion and was the preserve of aristocrats who liked the pacifist teachings. Buddhism became very wealthy and corrupt.
In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries a more simple form of Buddhism came from China. There were two forms. Rinzai Buddhism was favored by the ruling classes while Soto Zen was adopted by peasants.

My ancestors were Scots. Seeking to identify with these people I read a little Scottish history. I came away reeling with horror. What a rabble of plundering murderers! And yet Scotland has produced far more than its share of well educated doctors, teachers and engineers who became a diaspora of technical skills during the nineteenth century. Something was right.

When I try to understand the history of Buddhism in Japan, I am overwhelmed by stories of warring monasteries, forced registration as Buddhists and other horrors. What can I say. Look at Christianity? Let's not. The arrival and development of Zen in Japan did not signal an age of milk and honey (so to speak!). Japan was a troubled country for much of its history, and the country was closed and ingrown for several centuries.

Soto Zen Buddhism came to America. It is becoming American Zen Buddhism. It would be nice to think that we represent a beautiful ideal. Unfortunately, as an itinerant, I find that many zendos are elitist and secretive. Just about any Christian church welcomes anyone who walks through the door. Why is Buddhism different? I don't know.