The Other Side of Zen: A Social History of Sōtō Zen Buddhism in Tokugawa Japan

Abstract

Popular understanding of Buddhism typically involves a stereotyped image of isolated individuals in meditation, contemplating nothingness. This book presents other side of Zen, by examining movement's explosive growth during Tokugawa period (1600-1867) in Japan and by shedding light on broader Japanese religious landscape during era. Using newly-discovered manuscripts, Duncan Ryuken Williams argues that success of Soto was due neither to what is most often associated with sect, meditation, nor to teachings of its medieval founder Dogen, but rather to social benefits it conveyed. Buddhism promised followers many tangible and attractive rewards, including bestowal of such perquisites as healing, rain-making, and fire protection, as well as Zen rites that assured salvation in next world. temples also provided for orderly registration of entire Japanese populace, as ordered by Tokugawa government, which led to stable parish membership. Williams investigates both sect's distinctive religious and ritual practices and its nonsectarian participation in broader currents of Japanese life. While much previous work on subject has consisted of passages on great medieval masters and their thoughts strung together and then published as the history of Zen, Williams' work is based on care ul examination of archival sources including temple logbooks, prayer and funerary manuals, death registries, miracle tales of popular Buddhist deities, secret initiation papers, villagers' diaries, and fund-raising donor lists.

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