Zen at War (War and Peace Library)

Victoria, Brian Daizen Brian Daizen Victoria,

ISBN 10: 0742539261 / ISBN 13: 9780742539266

Published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2006

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Synopsis:

A compelling history of the contradictory, often militaristic, role of Zen Buddhism, this book meticulously documents the close and previously unknown support of a supposedly peaceful religion for Japanese militarism throughout World War II. Drawing on the writings and speeches of leading Zen masters and scholars, Brian Victoria shows that Zen served as a powerful foundation for the fanatical and suicidal spirit displayed by the imperial Japanese military. At the same time, the author recounts the dramatic and tragic stories of the handful of Buddhist organizations and individuals that dared to oppose Japans march to war. He follows this history up through recent apologies by several Zen sects for their support of the war and the way support for militarism was transformed into corporate Zen in postwar Japan. The second edition includes a substantive new chapter on the roots of Zen militarism and an epilogue that explores the potentially volatile mix of religion and war. With the increasing interest in Buddhism in the West, this book is as timely as it is certain to be controversial.

About the Author: Brian Daizen Victoria, a fully ordained Soto Zen priest, is currently a senior research fellow at the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies. His publications include Zen at War and Zen War Stories. Zen Terror in Prewar Japan is the third book in the trilogy.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Zen at War (War and Peace Library)
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publication Date: 2006
Binding: paperback
Condition: New
Edition: 2nd Edition