ABSTRACT
As demonstrated in the preceding chapters, the actual laicization of Zen was first made possible by the immense political and social changes of the Meiji restoration. Nevertheless, a close examination of lay Zen in Japan reveals ambivalence between modern organizational structures and reliance on traditional authority. On the one hand, the challenges posed by the modern worldview and the obsolete image of established Buddhism stimulate innovative organizations that emphasize equality and are committed to transparency, accountability, and egalitarianism. On the other hand, however, these organizations still rely on traditional hierarchy and hold Dharma transmission as their source of legitimacy. To tackle this apparent contradiction, this chapter focuses on Ningen Zen’s organizational structure. By discussing key issues such as sectarian affiliation, hierarchical structure, and economy, the chapter places lay Zen within the broader context of Japanese religion, pointing, among other things, to the shortcomings of some of the major classifications in the field.
