P3

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