ABSTRACT
In the preceding chapters, we explored the meaning and significance of lay Zen in contemporary Japan. Our study highlighted the dynamic interplay between tradition and adaptation, continuity and change. Lay Zen’s main innovation lies in its ability to extract authority from the Buddhist clergy. This innovation was deeply rooted in the historical context of twentieth-century Japan, where rejecting clerical authority was a crucial aspect of modern Japanese Buddhism. However, regarding ideology and practice, the study has shown that lay Zen blends classical texts and traditional approaches infused with modern thought, values, and worldviews. To conclude, this chapter considers some of the general applications of lay Zen to the study of religion in general and the study of contemporary Japanese Buddhism in particular. Lastly, it addresses the place of lay Zen within modern Japanese society, articulating some of the challenges it will face to maintain its relevance in the future.
