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Buddhism in
Japan
The spread of Buddhism in Central and East Asia
1. Introduction of
Buddhism to Japan
6th Century, Kingdom of Baekje(1) (백제; 百濟):
One of the Three Kingdoms of Korea,
together with Goguryeo and Silla
Its king anxiously wishes to establish
peaceful relations with Japan
To do so, he sends gifts to the Japanese
Imperial Court:
o Images of Buddha
o Copies of Buddhist texts
Buddhism was recommended as a mean of bringing great benefit to
the country
The Japanese people soon accommodated Buddhism along with their
indigenous Shinto(2) beliefs:
o A complex of religious and ethical ideas that existed in Japan
before the introduction of religious elements from the high
cultures of China and India
Being a religion of universal appeal, Buddhism helped to foster
harmony within the country.
Prince Shotoku(3)(4)
574–622
Became crown prince and regent in
593
A member of the powerful Soga
family
Known for being a civilizing ruler
Known for mastering both Buddhism
and Confucianism
From the very beginning, the
establishment of Buddhism depended
on the protection and support of the
Japanese rulers.
Special mention for Prince Shotoku
o Great contribution to the early growth and expansion of
Buddhism in Japan (early 7th century)
o Tradition says he wrote the first "constitution" of Japan, which
promoted moral and social values as taught in Buddhism
o During his period, many Buddhist temples were built and works of
art created
o Sent monks to China to study Buddhist scriptures
o He lectured and later wrote commentaries on some of these
scriptures.
o His commentaries are said to be the first ever written in Japan and
are now kept as national treasures.
2. The Nara Period
8th century – Nara Period
Buddhism continued to spread
New temples were built in all the provinces
Todai-Ji Temple(5) (the most famous one, located in Nara)
Buddhist scriptures were copied and distributed throughout the
country
Chinese monks started to arrive and many Chinese schools of
Buddhism were introduced to Japan o Tian-Tai School (teaching based on Lotus Sutra & texts categorized)
o Chan School (meditation as way of experiencing Enlightenment in this very life)
o Pure Land School (recitation of the name Amida & having sincere faith in him)
o Others
The Japanese monks not only studied and practiced the Buddhist
teachings, but also became involved in administrative roles
(working for the state)
Some of them served as scribes/clerks in the court
(working for the state - sovereign and his councilors)
Helped in the carrying out of public works
(public work - state)
Explore and draw maps of distant parts of the country
(cartographers - state)
Though the monastic order grew in size, it remained firmly under the
control of the court as the ordination of monks was only permitted at
a few centers approved by the court.
3. The Heian Period
End of the 8th century – Heian Period
When the capital was established at Heian (present-day Kyoto).
During this period, two Japanese monks named Saicho and Kukai
brought two schools of Buddhism to Japan (from China).
Saicho(6)
767–822
Priest at the age of 13
804, sent to China to study Buddhism
806, returned from China
Returned with Tian-Tai teachings
Later combined several schools of Buddhism into one
comprehensive system.
At his temple on Mount Hiei, monks had to undergo a twelve-year
course of study and meditation.
Some of those who completed their training stayed on the mountain,
while others left to serve the state in various administrative posts.
The Tian-tai school of Buddhism soon flourished and at the height of
its development, there were 3.000 buildings on Mount Hiei and
30.000 monks.
Its influence on the development of Buddhism in Japan continued to
be felt even a few centuries later.
Kukai(7)(8)
774-835
In 797 Kukai wrote Sangyo Shiki
(Indications to the Three Teachings), a
work in which he attempted to evaluate
the respective contributions of
Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism
804, sent to China to study Buddhism
806, returned from China
808, founded the Shingon Sect(9), one of the few surviving Vajrayana
lineages in East Asia
o This school of Buddhism became very popular with the Japanese
court
o Its influence was even greater than that of the Tian-Tai School
o Kukai himself was a learned monk and wrote a great deal on the
teachings of this school
4. The Kamakura Period
End of the 12th century – Kamamura Period
Big political power shift, thanks to
o A group of warriors (Samurai) who had their headquarters at
Kamakura
During this period, a number of notable Japanese Buddhist sects
arose
They became popular because of their directness of approach
Among these sects were the Jodo Shinshu, Nichiren and Zen
(New or not?)
1 - The Jodo Shinshu
Founded by Shinran who studied at Mount Hiei
o His master, Honen, taught that the practice of reciting the name
of Amida Buddha would be sufficient for its followers to be reborn
in the Western Paradise (Pure Land School)
o However, the other monks on Mount Hiei objected to his teaching
o As a result, Honen and his disciples were forced into exile
o Shinran was one of the disciples who accompanied Honen into
exile
Shinran's teaching was a modification of his master's teaching.
o He taught that one need only to have faith in Amida to be reborn
in the Western Paradise (Pure Land).
o According to Shinran, it was not even necessary to recite Amida's
name.
“Shinran's definition of Amida Buddha as the absolute, equating the
Pure Land with Nirvana itself, therefore differed somewhat from
traditional interpretations of the Pure Land in Buddhist scripture”(10)
Shinran later got married and, in this way, started the tradition of the
married monks in Japan.
o Those who follow this tradition continued to live in temples and
conduct religious services, while having a family.
2 – The Nichiren Sect
Founded by Nichiren who studied at Mount Hiei but was not satisfied
with the traditional Buddhist practices taught there
He later left Mount Hiei and travelled widely before returning to his
native district
Nichiren felt that the truth of Buddhism was to be found in the Lotus
Sutra (Tian-tai School)
As he was intolerant of other Buddhist sects and vigorously
denounced them, he was later sent into exile
In his later years, he was pardoned and allowed to return
After his death, his followers spread his teaching throughout the
country and it soon gained popularity
3 – The Zen Sect
The Zen sect is a Japanese version of the Chan School
It gained popularity among the warriors because of its emphasis on
strict discipline of the mind and body
Zen teaching also influenced the development of:
o Tea-ceremony
o Black-ink paintings
o Art of flower arrangement
o Noh drama, which consists of dances and recitation of poems
that conveyed Buddhist ideas.
5. Buddhism from the 16th
to the 19th Century
16th Century on:
Buddhism lost favor with the military rulers who feared the rising
power and influence of Buddhist religious groups in Japan
Some important Buddhist centers were even destroyed by these
rulers
In the next three centuries, Buddhism came under the close
supervision of the military dictatorship, which had strict control over
all areas of life
The traditions of the various sects were, however, maintained
The temples also continued to play an active role in the fields of
education and social service
19th Century
A Japanese emperor took control of the government
He did not support Buddhism
Many Buddhist temples were demolished and valuable Buddha
images and scriptures were burned
The Buddhists in Japan responded by modernizing their
organizations
o Schools and universities were established and Buddhist monks
were given a modern education
6. Developments in the
Present Century
20th Century
Since the Second World War:
o Japan has seen the rise of many religious groups which are
modifications of the older established sects
Nichiren Shoshu, for example, grew out of the Nichiren sect of the
Kamakura Period
o The lay members of these newer religious groups play a
prominent role in promoting Buddhist culture and education
o At the same time, the older sects continue to exist and still attract
support both inside and outside Japan
To know more:
https://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/east-asia.htm
(1) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baekje
(2) - https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/shintoism
(3) - https://www.britannica.com/biography/Taishi-Shotoku
(4) - https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/shotoku-prince-taishi
(5) - https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4100.html
(6) - https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saicho
(7) - https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kukai
(8) - https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/philosophy-and-religion/buddhism-biographies/kukai
(9) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingon_Buddhism
(10) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinran#Amitabha_Buddha_and_the_Pure_Land