Title
New American Zen: Examining American Women's Adaptation of Traditional Japanese Soto Zen Practice
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Liberal Studies
Advisor's Name
Lesley A. Northup
Advisor's Title
Committee Chair
Advisor's Name
Kiriake Xerohemona
Advisor's Name
Laurie Shrage
Keywords
Zen, Soto, women, ritual, Americanization, Dogen, feminine, practice, rituals, American
Date of Defense
2011
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis was to explore the history and rituals of Japanese Soto Zen nuns and American Soto Zen ordained women in order to examine the motivations behind each group’s practices and distinguish the differences in the intent and practice of American Soto women’s rituals, specifically their reactions to the influence of feminism, and the effects of American syncretization in order to identify if a schism or a continuation is occurring within the Soto Zen tradition. Along with a survey of published research, interviews were conducted with two scholars and prominent ordained Soto practitioners–eight female and three male. Findings suggest that while maintaining strict adherence to specific orthodox rituals, American Soto women also reinterpret Soto traditions and adapt new practices to address the needs of American women’s practice. Findings further indicate the effects of American syncretization in nurturing a legitimate albeit uniquely American expression of Soto Zen.
Recommended Citation
Just, Courtney M., "New American Zen: Examining American Women's Adaptation of Traditional Japanese Soto Zen Practice" (2011). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 527.
http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/527