Japaese Buddhism in meiji era

This research surveys the position and state of Buddhism in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and consequently, examines the social and political background of this historical period and finally, focuses on proving the point that Buddhism was in road of modernization in Meiji era. Prominent Japanese Buddhists thinkers tried to reinterpreted teachings of Buddha in according to three basic component of modernity: irrationalism, empiricism, and use of reason. This period is one of the most crucial period in the history of japan. With the end of Edo period, and the rise of Meiji era, the government’s support of Buddhism ended after centuries. Social state of Buddhism greatly hurt and in short, Buddhism faced to a complicated, tough situation. Buddhist thinker’s effort in this period, finally, led to rise a new interpretation of Buddhism which vastly considered in modern world.