60s In The 20th Century The Spread Of Zen Buddhism In The United States

This thesis is a research on the prosperous development of Zen Buddhism in America after the Second World War, especially around sixties of the 20^th Century. This is a period covering about two decades which witnessed the dramatic changes both in American society and thoughts. Clashes between old and new values brought about by changes in politics, economics, cultures and social life gave rise to a great demand on the formation of new cultures and religions. Under such circumstances, Zen Buddhism disseminated into American society and had a lot of successful dialogues with American cultures, religions, modem psychology, and literature as well.The dissemination of Zen Buddhism in America follows the general principles of the communication of civilization, which involves the process of the interaction of native culture and Alien culture. Based on the specific historic events, the thesis makes a discussion on the possible reasons for the prosperous development of Zen Buddhism in United States over the two to three decades after the Second World War, so as to provide enlightenments to the future dissemination of Buddhism and give the insight into the human beings' civilization communication. With regard to the research methodology, the author adopts the multidisciplinary approach which unites the science of religion, history, culture and sociology to the systematical analyses on the history of the dissemination of Zen Buddhism in United States. The main conclusions are as follows:Firstly, colonialism paved the way for the dissemination of Buddhism in the west. During the first half part of the 20^th century, Buddhism was only a religion of Asian immigrants, and developed very slowly. Secondly, as a recipient nation, America provided an open and supportive environment of culture, religion and society to the spread of Zen Buddhism.Thirdly, since the end of 19^th century, with the great efforts of some Zen masters and scholars, main Zen sects of different traditions entered United States and established Zen Centers and monasteries, and won the wide concern from the public during 20 to 30 years after the Second World War.Fourthly, in academic field, the research on Zen Buddhism has got some unique characteristics, and accelerated the spread of it in American common social life. Fifthly, the prosperity of Zen Buddhism after the Second World is shown in several aspects. The communication between Zen Buddhism and modern psychology is mutually benefitial. Moreover, the dialogues between Zen Buddhism and Christianity created a new age in inter-religious communication history. What's more, Zen Buddhism exerted a great influence on American literature, especially the Beat Generation. Last, but not the least, Zen Buddhism offered some fundamental ingredient in New Age Movement and/or New Religious Movement, and lost its Buddhism nature. Indeed, the American zeal for Zen Buddhism in 1960s reveals a great change in religious views of human being.All in all, the developments of different aspects of Zen Buddhism in United States altogether show us the vitality and adaptability of Buddhism, as well as the choices and adoptation of American culture. Over the last half century, Buddhism in United States has grown from a margin religion into one of the major religions in American multicultural context.