Jack Kerouac, “Annotated Manuscript of The Dharma Bums“, undated. Jack Kerouac Collection, 1950-1978.

The Beat adaptation and usage of Zen Buddhism played a major role in their movement’s anti-establishment and anti-conformist stance. The Beats selectively interpreted Zen Buddhism, following only the principles that aligned with their beliefs, in order to justify their lifestyles involving much drug use, sex, and wandering that shattered societal norms. The embodiment of Beat ideals based off Buddhism is best captured in the dharma bum persona, which is presented in Jack Kerouac’s novel The Dharma Bums. Japhy Ryder, a main character in this novel, is presented as the quintessential Beat. Ryder uses the Buddhist principles of impermanence to guide his transient, constantly traveling lifestyle, and to rationalize his detachment from mainstream society and all of its conventions, most notably consumerism and deep relationships with others. Ultimately, through the presentation of Ryder, The Dharma Bums provides crucial insight into how the Beats modified and modernized Zen Buddhism to validate their movement that challenged mainstream society in America.