The tenets of Zen Buddhism do not seem to mesh with the individual-focused and materialistic culture of the West. Despite this, the growth of Zen in the West has largely been the result of new entrants seeking what traditional Western religions fail to provide. However, many eventually have difficulties accepting Zen's apparent opposition to Western ideas. Thus, there needs to be some reconciliation between Western culture and Zen values. There is no set requirement in Zen that practice must be conducted undiluted from one culture to another. This is evidenced by the thriving Zen practice in Japan despite the fact that it differs measurably from that imported centuries ago from China. However, before Westerners can modify Zen to more comfortably fit their cultural values, it is imperative that they have a solid foundation in the basic practices and theories of Zen as it already exists in the East.
