1、 Introduction

In the 1950s, Zen culture was widely spread and accepted in the United States, through sitting meditation and reading classics to comprehend Zen thought. The free spirit and emphasis on the relationship between humans and nature of Zen Buddhism have been accepted by American intellectuals and the 'Beat Generation'. Since the 1980s, the United States has become a center for Buddhist meditation and academic research. Over the past century, significant achievements have been made in the study of Buddhism in the United States, with Zen studies being the focus and highlight. Before World War II, research on Western Buddhist studies was mainly conducted by linguists or Chinese scholars proficient in Sanskrit, with a focus on classic texts in the history of Chinese Buddhism. At the beginning of the 20th century, the West began to understand Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhism went through a process where classic texts were accepted as academic research subjects and gradually had a profound impact on American culture. The research achievements of senior scholars mostly focus on exploring the research situation of American Zen in the 1950s and 1960s. This article focuses on the different stages and internal development of Zen studies in the United States from 1990 to 2020.

2、 Zen philosophy, historical research, and English translation of Zen classics ③

The study of Zen Buddhism in the United States originated in the early 20th century, and Japanese scholars such as Daisuke Suzuki had a huge influence on the entry of Zen Buddhism into the academic community in the United States. In the past thirty years, American scholars have conducted in-depth research on the history, ideas, and literature translation of Chinese Zen Buddhism. Scholars such as Brent Foer and Markley have explored the establishment history of Northern Zen Buddhism, important figures in Zen Buddhism, and the relationship between Zen Buddhism and politics from different perspectives. Bertrand Foer's "Three Critiques" series focuses on the history of East Asian religions and Zen Buddhism, proposing to challenge traditional "Orientalist" discourse through specific research using "key concepts" and metaphors. His book 'The Intention of Orthodoxy' marked a break from previous academic research, reorganizing and writing early Zen history. Macri adopts a diverse perspective and analytical approach to study Zen Buddhism, focusing on the early development history of Zen studies and attempting to correct the tendency in previous research to denigrate Northern Buddhism. He placed the early evolution of Zen Buddhism in the social and economic context of the mid Tang Dynasty for discussion. Andy Ferguson conducts in-depth research on several generations of Zen masters through material organization, sorting out their core doctrines, biographies, and poems in chronological order, and presenting the history and literary context of Zen clearly. Dales Wright discusses the famous sayings of Master Huangbo from the perspective of Western philosophy and religious traditions, and explores how these works spread and influenced the West. Researchers of Zen Buddhism in the United States attempt to break through the limitations of previous research methods and perspectives, such as changing the traditional Buddhist research path that focuses on doctrines and lineages, and making breakthroughs in theoretical construction and research methods. They also pay attention to the specific forms and dissemination of Zen Buddhism in other regions, such as the historical appearance of pre modern Japanese culture. The study of Zen Buddhism in the United States has been greatly influenced by Japanese academia, and is directly related to the North American scholar community studying abroad in Japan, studying Zen texts, receiving training in the Yanagita Sacred Mountain Zen History and Classics Seminar, and referencing Japanese translations in translation.

3、 Zen Buddhism and North American Literature

The intuitive experience and intrinsic experiential characteristics of Zen Buddhism have attracted American poets, writers, and intellectuals, promoting the translation, interpretation, and dissemination of Zen literature such as the Tantra. The core of Zen literature lies in the use of official cases, recitation of ancient texts, and poetry, which have had a profound impact on American literature. After the 1970s, Zen Buddhism became the mainstream of American Buddhism, and research on American Buddhist literature delved into the history, literature, legal records, and poetry of Zen Buddhism. As the core practice method of Chan Buddhism, the public case is the most distinctive content of Chan Buddhism, and Western scholars have paid close attention to it. The collection of "Zen Classics: Interpretation of Classic Texts" edited by Hein Stephen and Wright studies Zen texts from multiple perspectives, emphasizing that Zen classic texts cannot be understood literally. The Zen classics and texts have been highly valued by scholars, and the book "Zen Classics: Texts Formed in the History of Zen Buddhism" edited by Hein Stephen, Wright, and others is an important academic collection on this topic. The Zen saying of Mazu, 'Peace of mind is the way', is widely popular and has been translated and commented upon by Nick Belando and Dr. Fumio Yamada. The stories, characters, literature and art, and folk legends of Zen Buddhism are closely related, and Bertrand Foer has conducted in-depth exploration on them. The regulation of Zen temples and the inheritance of teaching staff have become the focus of Zen studies in the United States. Zen Buddhism has had a direct impact on the creation and life paths of American writers, such as Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye". American writers often use the Zen case thinking method to inspire and practice their creations, and the influence of Buddhist characters and Zen cases on American literary works is deeply embedded in their content and structure. The popular books written by renowned Zen masters in modern times, such as Zen case studies and hymns to guide meditation, are also an important part of Zen studies in the United States. The research efforts of scholars such as Hein and Wright have broken through the original research paradigm and changed the focus on mystery and unpredictability in public case studies. The core principles of Zen Buddhism, as well as the verses and official cases of enlightened Zen masters, have had a sustained impact on culture and ethical morality worldwide, reflected in the specific creative and teaching methods of modern Zen practitioners. Public cases are still an important teaching method adopted by Zen masters in their cultivation and dissemination, and have maintained a lasting and vigorous influence in the literary creation of writers in contemporary society.

4、 The Encounter between Zen Buddhism and Feminism: Female Zen Masters and 'Family Zen'

Explored the intersection of Zen Buddhism and feminism, particularly the importance of female Zen masters and "family Zen" in the study of Zen Buddhism in the United States. Grace Shireison's "Women Practicing Outside the Zen Room" reviews the history and teachings of East Asian female Zen practitioners, exploring their unique roles and challenges in Zen practice. Pearl Besserman's "New Zen for Women" focuses on how Western women integrate meditation into their daily lives. American scholars have described the unique experiences and influences of women in American Buddhism and Zen Buddhism through case studies and theoretical explorations, such as the authoritative status of female Buddhist teachers like Pema Chodron and Aya Kema. Master Zhikong and scholars such as Miller focused on discussing the understanding of Buddhism and Zen philosophy by American women and their application in the Western world. The case study of Martin Bachler and nun Sun Jingshan demonstrates the difficulties faced by Western Zen practitioners in adapting to Buddhist temple life. Park Jin young explores women's philosophy and power structure from the perspective of women's Buddhist philosophy, using the life and philosophy of Korean Zen Buddhist nun Jin Yiye as an example. Paula Xinjing used ethnographic methods to study women's meditation practices and experiences, revealing that family meditation is an important religious practice exchange. These studies not only focus on the enlightenment path and philosophical exploration of women's Zen meditation, but also explore how modern women embed Zen into family relationships and responsibility networks, providing balance and solution strategies for the emotional and work-related challenges faced by women. In terms of research methods, scholars are also constantly exploring and creating, such as the anthropological research methods of "second person" or relational methods developed by Xinjing.

5、 The integration of American Zen studies with multiple disciplines such as psychology, art, and environmental science

The integration of American Zen studies with multiple disciplines such as psychology, art, and environmental science is a new trend that cannot be ignored in its development. The Zen practice method has been introduced into the field of psychology as an effective method of psychotherapy, such as "Buddhism and Practice Method", "Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and Experiential Psychotherapy Method", etc. Huber proposed the concept of "holistic psychology" and advocated for the integration of East and West. Encountering Buddhism: Western Psychology and Buddhism "explores the phenomenon of the intersection and convergence of Zen Buddhism and psychology. Musician and artist Bob Dylan's research examines and analyzes from a Zen perspective, which has pioneering value. The interdisciplinary research between Buddhism, ecology, and environmental science has also received considerable attention, such as "Buddhism and Ecology" which focuses on exploring the many connections between Buddhism and ecology. There have also been discussions on Zen Buddhism's attitudes towards sexuality, homosexuality, and other related issues. The integration and interdisciplinary research of Zen studies with other disciplines have become a new trend in Zen research in recent years, broadening the research perspective of American psychology and providing new academic perspectives and research methods.

6、 Conclusion

Emphasis was placed on the sustained interest and research in Zen Buddhism in American society, particularly the emphasis on the translation of Zen classics and historical studies. American scholars have translated and promoted the poetry of poets such as Han Shan and Feng Gan, exploring the historical context, sectarian formation, and principles of Chinese Zen Buddhism. The poetry of Zen monks Han Shan and Shi De has influenced the creation and life of American writers through translation. The learning experience of American Zen researchers in Japan has influenced their translation and understanding. American society accepts Zen Buddhism in its own way and seeks non-traditional academic and rational interpretations. With the development of the times, the research themes and directions of Zen Buddhism have undergone new changes, focusing on social issues such as the LGBTQ+community and feminism, and interacting with fields such as psychology, ecology, and art. At the same time, the Japanese Zen sect and Tibetan Buddhism also had a profound influence on American intellectuals and writers.