This paper has two purposes. One is to try to elucidate, from the methodological viewpoint, the fundamental aspect of Buddhist studies beginning at the early Meiji period, in which the method of Buddhist studies imported from Europe had just started. Another is to make some observations on the future of Buddhist studies. Japan has a long tradition of Buddhist studies, beginning in the time of the transmission of Buddhism in the sixth century. The method of Buddhist studies in modern Japan, namely, the European-style philological method of Buddhist studies, began with almost no connections to such a tradition. This new method has, until now, been maintained as the most important method for Buddhist studies in Japan. The author also agrees that the study by this method is very important as the supporting axis of Buddhist studies. However, there is a need in the present day that enterprising researchers of Buddhism should further take on the challenge of an historical study of Buddhism, and, if possible, a comparative study of Buddhism, based on the fruits of the philological study of valuable Buddhist texts.
