The thesis entitled ‘A Study of Zen Buddhism Influencing on the Lifestyle of Japanese Residents in Chiang Mai Province’ is of three objectives: 1) to study the concept of Mahayana Buddhism (Zen), 2) to explore the factors influencing the lifestyle of Japanese people and 3) to investigate the relationship of Zen Buddhism that influenced the lives of Japanese residents in Chiang Mai province. The research was conducted by the qualitative research method based on the documents and in depth interviews as well as summary analysis.

According to Zen Buddhism, it is without any alphabet or the text to be studied, i.e. the words of the Buddha. It is not in the frame of any words, but pointing directly to the human mind and teaching to look back into their own nature to reach the Buddha nature. The original religion originated from Shintoism, thus causing Zen Buddhism in Japanese tradition. In addition, Zen Buddhism is a way of meditation called "Zazen". It derived from one generation to another generation and is believed that the experience of this enlightenment has been transmitted in chronological order. This conceptual idea leads to practice for seeking of an Essence of Mind or One Mind in Zen philosophy. When one’s mind is deprived of passions, then it becomes a free spirit.   These factors have influenced the lives of Japanese people who have infiltrated the Zen to live in the Japanese way of life in general, as well as many other traditions such as gardening, flower arrangements, archery, fighting (Samurai). As a matter of fact, this whole process is to conduct people to be conscious of the present moment.

The relationship of Zen Buddhism that influences the lives of Japanese people, it is creeping in or moving slowly of 4 Japanese characters, Wa, Kei, Sei, Jaku, which is represented in the philosophy of Zen Buddhism through the context of culture, personality and society.  It is hidden in the way of tea making, fencing, way of writing a Haiku poem and the way of gardening and flowers. It is the definition of the relationship of Zen and the way of life, harmony, peace, confidence, mutual trust, cleanliness, purity, sincerity and respect, etc.

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