Japan’s Modernization and the Persecution of Buddhism

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This paper explores the purposes and consequences of the persecution of Buddhism in　the early Meiji period (1868-1912). The Meiji government attempted to establish　the legitimacy of the new state through the Shinto-based divine status of the emperor while pursuing anti-Buddhism policies and promoting Shinto as the state religion. By reinventing　Shinto as an independent religion and ending the Shinto-Buddhism syncretism, the policy of　shinbutsu bunri (separation of Shinto and Buddhism) aimed at the elimination of Buddhism's　influence on society in order to construct a new political and social order; simultaneously, the　state tried to form national unity based on loyalty toward the emperor. As soon as the　Separation Edict was ordered in April 1868, the persecution of Buddhism took place throughout　Japan, resulting in the destruction of many temples, statues, and images　(haibutsu kishaku). In this process, followers of Hirata Atsutane, the school of National　Learning (Kokugaku or Nativism), played an important role in executing anti-Buddhist　policies and violent actions. Although some Buddhists like the Shin sect fought back, the damages inflicted on Buddhism were immense and resulted in an indelible change of Japanese cultural history. Buddhism was persecuted partly because of its association with the stagnant, hierarchical　order of the Tokugawa bakufu (1603-1868). Since Buddhism enjoyed a privileged position under the patronage of the old regime, many Buddhist temples became rich and powerful　and performed the function of social control. However, many temples collapsed which evoked　anger among ordinary people and low-ranking samurai who were faced with harsh economic　realities. Furthermore, Buddhism was regarded as a foreign religion and its characteristics,　including passivity and resignation were incompatible with bunmei kaika (Civilization and　Enlightenment), which meant adopting the utilitarian, rational, and scientific aspects of Western civilization. Moreover, the state tried to modernize Japan to catch up with the West under a slogan of fukoku kyohei (a wealthy nation and a strong army) while proclaiming “returning　to ancient time” (osei fukko) to unite a new nation under the emperor. Buddhism became the　major obstacle to achieving such goals. Consequently, Buddhism's status and governmental　role were replaced by Shinto. By persecuting Buddhism, the Meiji government aimed to control　the institutional power of religion, as well as people's daily lives and consciousness, through the emperor ideology. Although Buddhists struggled to find a way to regain their position in society, they had little choice but to conform with the new national policy.

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