Jack Kerouac's writing is deeply influenced by Buddhism, particularly Zen Buddhism. His exploration of this philosophy can be traced back to the 1950s when he delved into Buddhist texts and teachings. Kerouac’s spiritual journey is evident in his seminal works, including "Dharma Bums," published in 1958, which is one of the most explicit expressions of his Buddhist inclinations.
Kerouac was significantly influenced by Gary Snyder, a poet and essayist who was a practicing Buddhist. Snyder introduced Kerouac to various Buddhist concepts, which subsequently permeated his writing. In "Dharma Bums," the character Japhy Ryder is based on Snyder, and through this character, Kerouac explores themes of simplicity, nature, and the quest for enlightenment, all of which are central to Buddhist philosophy.
Kerouac's interest in Buddhism was also fueled by his reading of D.T. Suzuki's works on Zen Buddhism. Suzuki’s writings provided Kerouac with a deeper understanding of Zen principles, which Kerouac incorporated into his own literary style. The spontaneous prose technique that Kerouac is famous for is partly inspired by the Zen principle of satori, a sudden moment of enlightenment. This method allowed Kerouac to capture the immediacy and fluidity of his thoughts, akin to the Zen practice of living in the present moment.
A lesser-known but significant influence on Kerouac's Buddhist thought was Alan Watts, a British philosopher who interpreted and popularized Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. Watts' lectures and books, such as "The Way of Zen," provided Kerouac with a more accessible entry point into complex Buddhist ideas, which he then adapted into his own writing.
Kerouac's novel "Big Sur" also reflects his ongoing struggle with Buddhist principles. The book portrays his internal conflict and the difficulty of living up to the ideals he admired in Buddhism. The character Jack Duluoz, a stand-in for Kerouac, grapples with the impermanence of life, a core Buddhist tenet known as anicca.
In addition to his novels, Kerouac’s poetry also shows Buddhist influences. His collection "Mexico City Blues" contains several references to Buddhist concepts and the idea of emptiness, or śūnyatā, which reflects the Buddhist view of the non-self and the interconnectedness of all things.
In summary, Jack Kerouac’s writing is a tapestry woven with Buddhist themes, characters inspired by real-life Buddhist practitioners, and a literary style influenced by Zen principles. His works provide a unique lens through which to understand the intersection of Eastern philosophy and Western literature during the mid-20th century.