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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 10 page essay that uses Daisetz Suzuki's text Zen and Japanese Culture to discuss the interconnected nature of the relationship between Zen Buddhism and Japanese culture. Drawing on Suzuki's text and argument, the writer argues that Buddhism and specifically Zen Buddhism has made numerous contributions to Japanese culture and has been a significant force in shaping the life of the Japanese people (Suzuki 21). No additional sources cited.
Page Count:
10 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khzensuz.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
21). While other schools of Buddhism limited their areas of influence to spiritual matters, Zen transversed boundaries and filtered into virtually every phase of cultural life. Noted author Daisetz
Suzuki states that this is due to the "racial psychology of the Japanese people" and presents Zen in his text on this topic (Zen and Japanese Culture, 1973) as fitting
perfectly into the Japanese psyche. Examination of Suzukis argument shows that this view of Zen and its role in Japanese culture is most persuasive. However, before proceeding, it is helpful
to do as Suzuki does in his text and first look at precisely what is meant by the term "Zen Buddhism." Zen Buddhism Zen originated in China after that
culture came into contact with Indian philosophy, which was introduced into China during the first century A.D. via Buddhist teachings (Suzuki 3). While the Chinese were attracted to Buddhism in
the abstract, there were many qualities about this religious orientation that did not fit with their societal view. For example, they did not adopt the Buddhist valuation of a homeless
life or its "transcendentalism...and life-denying tendencies" (Suzuki 3). Compared with Buddhist Indians, the Chinese were practical and more attached to worldly life. Due to this orientation, Indian Buddhism was transformed
into Zen Buddhism, which absorbed much of its metaphysical orientation from Taoist teachings (Suzuki 4). Unlike Indian Buddhism, Zen Buddhism insists on addressing the thing in itself and not
an empty abstraction (Suzuki 5). While Zen, as in Indian Buddhism, is designed to lead to enlightenment, in this case, enlightenment is equated with emancipation (Suzuki 5). Once the adherent
realizes this equation, which means that enlightenment equal freedom, an individual realizes that, no matter the situation, one is always free. Zen derives from Mahayana Buddhism and "consists of
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