Zen at War is a book written by Brian Daizen Victoria, first published in 1997. The second edition appeared in 2006. Contents The book meticulously documents Zen Buddhism's support of Japanese militarism from the time of the Meiji Restoration through the World War II and the post-War period. It describes the influence of state policy on Buddhism in Japan, and particularly the influence of Zen on the military of the Empire of Japan. A famous quote is from Harada Daiun Sogaku: "[If ordered to] march: tramp, tramp, or shoot: bang, bang. This is the manifestation of the highest Wisdom [of Enlightenment]. The unity of Zen and war of which I speak extends to the farthest reaches of the holy war [now under way]." The book also explores the actions of Japanese Buddhists who opposed the growth of militarism. The 2002 edition of Zen at War was followed by Zen War Stories, which further explores the intimate relationship between Japanese institutional Buddhism and militarism during World War II. Sources Victoria draws from his own study of original Japanese documents, but also uses the publications of Ichikawa Hakugen, a Rinzai-priest and a scholar who taught at Hanazono University in Tokyo. Hakugen's work, in Japanese, include: 1967 Zen and Contemporary Thought (Zen to Gendai Shiso) 1970 The War Responsibility of Buddhists (Bukkyosha no Senso Sekinin) 1975 Religion Under Japanese Fascism (Nihon Fashizumu Ka no Shukyo) 1977 Buddhism During the War (Senji Ka no Bukkyo) Hakugen himself had been "a strong advocate of Japan's 'holy war'": "And I should not forget to include myself as one of those modern Japanese Buddhist who did these things. " Hakugen points to twelve characteristics of Japanese Zen which have contributed to its support for Japanese militarism: Subservience of Buddhism to the state. Buddhist views on humanity and society. Though "Buddhism emphasizes the equality of human beings based on their possession of a Buddha nature"; the doctrine of karma has also been used as a "moral justification for social inequality". Protection of the state and the hierarchical social structures. Emphasis on śūnyatā and selflessness, "leaving no room for the independence of the individual". Lack of Buddhist dogma, which left no "compelling basic dogma a believer would fight to preserve". The concept of on, "the teaching that a debt of gratitude is owed to those from whom favors are received". In the case of Japanese Zen, this gratitude was