Zen at War offers a penetrating look at the close relationship that existed between Zen Buddhism and Japanese militarism prior to World War II. Using the actual words of leading Japanese Zen masters and scholars, the author shows that Zen served as a powerful spiritual and ideological foundation for the fanatic and suicidal spirit displayed by the imperial Japanese military. At the same time, the author tells the dramatic and tragic stories of the handful of Buddhist organizations and individuals that dared to oppose Japan's march to war. He follows this history up to the recent apologies of several Zen sects for their support of the war, and the reemergence of what he calls corporate Zen in postwar Japan.

From the Back Cover
Zen at War is a wake-up call for all Buddhists. Brian Victoria has shown in a passionate and well documented way that Buddhism is not immune to the kind of distortions that have been used throughout human history by virtually all of the worlds religions to justify so-called holy wars.
John Daido Loori, Roshi, Abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery Author of The Heart of Being

Zen at War is a stunning contribution to our understanding of Japanese militarism and the broader issue of war responsibility as it continues to be addressed (and ignored) in contemporary Japan. Brian Victoria's great sensitivity to the perversion and betrayal of Buddhism's teachings about compassion and non-violence makes his indictment of the role played by Imperial Way Buddhists in promoting ultranationalism and aggression all the more striking and all the more saddening.
Professor John W. Dower, Harvard University Author of War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War

In this carefully documented study, Brian Victoria discloses the incredible intellectual dishonesty of Japanese Buddhists who perverted their religion to a jingoistic doctrine of support of the emperor and imperial expansion during the period 1868-1945. Good job! We must face this dark side of our heritage squarely.
Robert Aitken, Roshi, Honolulu Diamond Sangha Author of The Mind of Clover and The Practice of Perfection

The author, Brian (Daizen) Victoria e-mail: b.victoria@auckland.ac.nz , March 16, 1998
"Holy war" is, sadly, a universal phenomenon.
I feel compelled to issue a warning to potential readers that they may find parts of "Zen At War" offensive.�@ Unfortunately, like the Holocaust, there are some things in life that are genuinely and horrifically offensive.�@ All of us are, of course, free to ignore such things though we do so at the peril of seeing the 'offense' repeated again in the future.�@Next time, however, whatever happens will also be our responsibility.

The concept of "holy war" is certainly not unique to Zen in particular or Buddhism in general.�@Sadly, it can be found in all of the world's major religions at one time or another in their long histories. This, however, does not lessen the responsibility of those who would call themselves (Zen) Buddhists to work to ensure that Buddhist-endorsed holy war is brought to an end.�@Naturally, the same holds true for the faithful of all the world's religions.

Should you be offended/hurt/disillusioned by what you read in "Zen At War," I am genuinely sorry. I can only hope that you will turn the pain you feel into positive, constructive, and compassionate action directed toward ending "holy war" whenever and wherever it occurs.

Zen at War