In Japan, Buddhism May Be Dying Out

Thanks to Tonen for pointing this out – a nice summary of the pickle Japanese Buddhism, including Zen, finds itself in, having gambled on family succession and the funeral business to keep things going. Looks like those two horses only got so far down the road.

However, I kinda doubt that Buddhism will die out in Japan for a long time. A major contraction seems to be coming, however. There are a number of quite dynamic teaching lines and I expect that these will continue. Perhaps the monastic cores of Soto and Rinzai will survive in at least a few places, sustained by some conservative young people … and then who knows what’ll happen in the always in motion future.