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The Buddha in Kamakura (1252).
The Buddha in Kamakura (1252). is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan, about 50 km south-south-west of Tokyo.

The history of Buddhism in Japan can be roughly divided into three periods, namely the Nara period (up to 784), the Heian period (794–1185) and the post-Heian period (1185 onwards). The of the History of Japan covers the years from AD 710 to 794. The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. Each period saw the introduction of new doctrines and upheavals in existing schools. See Sōhei (warrior monks). were Buddhist warrior monks of feudal Japan. At certain points of history they held considerable power obliging the imperial and military governments to collaborate

In modern times, the main paths of Buddhism are Amidist (Pure Land) schools, Nichiren Buddhism, Shingon Buddhism and Zen Buddhism. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Pure Land Buddhism ( Jìngtǔzōng; 浄土教 Jōdokyō; Korean: ko-Hang 정토종 jeongtojong; Vietnamese: 浄土宗 vi The founder Nichiren From the age of 16 until 32 Nichiren studied in numerous temples in Japan especially Mt Shingon Buddhism (眞言 真言 " true words " is a major school of Japanese Buddhism, and is the other branch of Vajrayana Buddhism Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism, referred to in Chinese as Chan.

Contents

Arrival along the Silk Road

Main article: Silk Road transmission of Buddhism

The arrival of Buddhism in Japan is ultimately a consequence the first contacts between China and Central Asia which occurred with the opening of the Silk Road in the 2nd BCE, following the travels of Zhang Qian between 138 and 126 BCE, which culminated with the official introduction of Buddhism in China in 67 CE. The Silk Road transmission of Buddhism to China started in the 1st century CE with a semi-legendary or quasi-historical account of an embassy sent to the West by the Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National The Silk Road, or Silk Routes, are an extensive interconnected network of Trade routes across the Asian continent connecting East South and Western Asia with the The 2nd century BC started the first day of 200 BC and ended the last day of 101 BC. Zhang Qian ( 張[[wikt 騫|騫]] Wade-Giles Chang Ch'ien was an imperial envoy to the outside world in the 2nd century BC during the time of the Han Dynasty Chinese Buddhism ( Pinyin fójiào refers collectively to the various schools of Buddhism that have flourished in China proper since ancient times Historians generally agree that by the middle of the 1st century, the religion had penetrated to areas north of the Huai River. The Huai River ( is a major river in China. The Huai River is located about mid-way between the Yellow River and Yangtze River, the two largest rivers The Buddhism was introduced to Korea by China, and Korea introduced the Buddhism to Japan around the 5th century CE.

Early Chinese accounts

In 467 CE, according to the Chinese historic treatise Liang Shu, five monks from Gandhara traveled to the country of Fusang (Chinese: 扶桑, Jp: Fusō: "The country of the extreme East" beyond the sea, probably eastern Japan), where they introduced Buddhism:

Fusang is located to the east of China, 20,000 li (1,500 kilometers) east of the state of Da Han (itself east of the state of Wa in modern Kyūshū, Japan). Events By Place Western Roman Empire April 12 — Anthemius becomes Emperor Chinese civilization originated in various city-states along the Yellow River ( valley in the Neolithic era The Book of Liang ( was compiled under Yao Silian, completed in 635. Gandhāra ( Sanskrit: गन्धार Urdu: گندھارا Gandḥārā; also known as Waihind in Persian is the name of an ancient Fusang or Fousang (扶桑 Mandarin Pīnyīn fúsāng is a country described by the Chinese Buddhist missionary Hui Shen (慧深 Japanese For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Fusang or Fousang (扶桑 Mandarin Pīnyīn fúsāng is a country described by the Chinese Buddhist missionary Hui Shen (慧深 Japanese China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National This article is about two traditional Chinese units of length or Kyushu is the third-largest Island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. (. . . ) In former times, the people of Fusang knew nothing of the Buddhist religion, but in the second year of Da Ming of the Song Dynasty (467 CE), five monks from Kipin (Kabul region of Gandhara) travelled by ship to Fusang. Background Liu Yu was born in 439 as Emperor Wen 's 11th son His mother Consort Shen Rongji (沈容姬 was a low-ranked imperial consort with the title Meiren The Song Dynasty (宋朝 Pinyin: Sòng cháo Wade-Giles: Sung ( 420 – 479) was first of the four Southern Dynasties in China } Kābul ( Persian and Pashto: کابل, IPA:) is the Capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with Gandhāra ( Sanskrit: गन्धार Urdu: گندھارا Gandḥārā; also known as Waihind in Persian is the name of an ancient They propagated Buddhist doctrine, circulated scriptures and drawings, and advised the people to relinquish worldly attachments. As a results the customs of Fusang changed (In the original Ch: "扶桑在大漢國東二萬餘里,地在中國之東(. . . )其俗舊無佛法,宋大明二年,罽賓國嘗有比丘五人游行至其國,流通佛法,經像,教令出家,風 俗遂改", Liang Shu, 7th century CE). The Book of Liang ( was compiled under Yao Silian, completed in 635.

The initial period saw the introduction onto Japanese soil of the six great Chinese schools, including the Hua-Yen and Lu, that became respectively the Kegon and Ritsu in Japanese. In terms of geography, the six sects were centered around the capital city of Nara, where great temples such as the Todaiji and Hokkeji were erected. However, the Buddhism of this early period – later known as the Nara period – was not a practical religion, being more the domain of learned priests whose official function was to pray for the peace and prosperity of the state and imperial house. This kind of Buddhism had little to offer the illiterate and uneducated masses, and led to the growth of "people’s priests" who were not ordained and had no formal Buddhist training. Their practice was a combination of Buddhist and Taoist elements, and the incorporation of shamanistic features of the indigenous religion. These figures became immensely popular, and were a source of criticism towards the sophisticated academic and bureaucratic Buddhism of the capital.

Nara Period

Tile with seated Buddha, Nara Prefecture, Asuka period, 7th century. Tokyo National Museum.
Tile with seated Buddha, Nara Prefecture, Asuka period, 7th century. Buddharūpa (बुद्धरूप literally 'Form of the Awakened One' is the Sanskrit and Pali term used in Buddhism for statues or models of the WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> is a prefecture in the Kinki region on Honshū Island, Japan The, was a period in the History of Japan lasting from 538 to 710 (or 592-645 although its beginning could be said to overlap with the preceding Kofun period. The 7th century is the period from 601 to 700 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Tokyo National Museum. Established 1872 the, or TNM, is the oldest and largest Museum in Japan.

The introduction of Buddhism to Japan is securely dated to 552 in Nihon Shoki, when Seong of Baekje sent monks from Korea to Nara to introduce the eight doctrinal schools. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The, sometimes translated as The Chronicles of Japan, is the second oldest book of classical Japanese history. Seong of Baekje (?-554 r 523-554 was the 26th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Korea is a geographic area composed of two sovereign countries a civilization and a former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. Initial uptake of the new faith was slow, and Buddhism only started to spread some years later when Empress Suiko openly encouraged the acceptance of Buddhism among all Japanese people. was the 33rd tenno of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession and the first of eight women to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. In 607, in order to obtain copies of Sutras, an imperial envoy was dispatched to Sui dynasty China. Events By Place Europe Ceolwulf of Wessex fights the South Saxons. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National As time progressed and the number of Buddhist clergy increased, the offices of Sojo (archbishop) and Sozu (bishop) were created. By 627 there were 46 Buddhist temples, 816 Buddhist priests, and 569 Buddhist nuns in Japan. Events By Place Byzantine Empire December 12 — Battle of Nineveh: Emperor Heraclius defeats the Persians ending

There were traditionally six schools of Buddhism in Nara Japan: Ritsu (Vinaya), Jojitsu (Satyasiddhi), Kusha (Abhidharma) Sanron (Madhyamika), Hosso (Yogacara), and Kegon (Hua-yen). This page is about the school of Buddhism You may have meant Ritsu Sohma, the anime character The Vinaya (a word in Pāli as well as in Sanskrit, with literal meaning 'leading out' 'education' 'discipline' is the regulatory framework for the Buddhist Kusha ( Japanese 倶舎 was one of the six Buddhist schools (南都六宗 Nanto Rikushū) introduced to Japan during Asuka and Nara period. Origins According to the commentarial tradition In the commentaries of Theravada Buddhism it was held that the Abhidhamma was not a later addition to the tradition Sanlun ( or literally Three Treatise School (sanlunzong 三论宗was a Chinese school of Buddhism based upon the Indian Madhyamaka Madhyamaka ( Sanskrit: मध्यमक Madhyamaka,, Pinyin: Zhōngguānzōng; also known as Śunyavada) is a Buddhist Dharma-character school (Chinese 法相宗 Pinyin fa xiang zong, Japanese Hossō is the pejorative name for a stream of thought that represented the Indian Yogācāra (Sanskrit "yoga practice" "one whose practice is yoga" Chinese Yüjiazong "Yoga School" 瑜珈宗 is an influential school of Eastern Philosophy For the Japanese waterfall see Kegon Falls. Kegon (華厳 ( or in some dialects) is the name of the Japanese transmission [1]However they were not exclusive schools, and temples were apt to have scholars versed in several of the schools. It has been suggested that they can best be thought of as "study groups".

Ritsu

Founded by Dàoxuān (道宣, Jp. Dàoxuān ( Chinese:道宣 Wade-Giles: Tao-hsüan CE 596-667 was the Chinese Buddhist monk who wrote both the Continued Biographies of Eminent Monks Dosen), China, c. 650 CE
First Introduction to Japan: Ganjin (鑑真), 753 CE. Jianzhen or Ganjin (鑒真 or 鑑真 688&ndash763 was a Chinese monk who helped to propagate Buddhism in Japan. The Ritsu school specialized in the Vinaya (the monastic rules in the Tripitaka). The Vinaya (a word in Pāli as well as in Sanskrit, with literal meaning 'leading out' 'education' 'discipline' is the regulatory framework for the Buddhist The Tripiṭaka ( Sanskrit; Devanagari: त्रिपिटक lit They used the Dharmagupta version of the vinaya which is known in Japanese as Shibunritsu 四分律)

Jojitsu

The Satyasiddhi school is considered to be an offshoot of the Sautrantika school, one of the Nikaya schools of Indian Buddhism (see early Buddhist schools). The Sautrāntika were an early school of Buddhist philosophy. The term Nikāya Buddhism was invented by Mahayanist scholars in order to find a more acceptable (less derogatory term than Hinayana to refer to the Early Buddhist schools Buddhism is a world religion which arose in Bihar, India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha (literally The Early Buddhist schools are those schools into which according to most scholars the Buddhist monastic Sangha initially split due originally to differences in They were distinguished by a rejection of the Abhidharma as not being the "word of the Buddha". The name means literally, "Ends with the Sutras", which refers to the traditional order of texts in the Tripitaka—vinaya, sutra, abhidharma. The Tripiṭaka ( Sanskrit; Devanagari: त्रिपिटक lit

Temple tiles from Nara, 7th century, Tokyo National Museum.
Temple tiles from Nara, 7th century, Tokyo National Museum. Established 1872 the, or TNM, is the oldest and largest Museum in Japan.

Kusha

Introduced into Japan from China during the Nara period (710–784). The school takes its name from its authoritative text, the Abidatsuma-kusha-ron(Sanskrit:Abhidharma-kosa), by the 4th- or 5th-century Indian philosopher Vasubandhu. Vasubandhu ( fl 4th c was according to Mahayana Buddhist tradition an Indian Buddhist scholar-monk and along with his half-brother Asanga The Kusha school is considered to be an offshoot of the Indian Sarvastivada school. Sarvastivada is an early school of Buddhism that held to 'the existence of all Dharmas in the past present and future the 'three times'

Sanron

Literally: Three-Discourse School; a Madhyamika school which developed in China based on two discourses by Nagarjuna and one by Aryadeva. Madhyamaka ( Sanskrit: मध्यमक Madhyamaka,, Pinyin: Zhōngguānzōng; also known as Śunyavada) is a Buddhist Acharya Nāgārjuna ( Telugu: నాగార్జున (c 150 - 250 CE) was an Indian philosopher the founder of the Madhyamaka Aryadeva (3rd Century CE was a disciple of Nagarjuna and author of several important Mahayana Madhyamaka Buddhist texts This school was transmitted to Japan in the 7th century. Madhyamika is one of the two most important Mahayana philosophies, and reemphasizes the original Buddhist teachings that phenomena are neither truly existent or absolutely non-existent, but are characterized by impermanence and insubstantially. Madhyamaka ( Sanskrit: मध्यमक Madhyamaka,, Pinyin: Zhōngguānzōng; also known as Śunyavada) is a Buddhist Mahayana ( Sanskrit: mahāyāna, Devanagari: महायान 'Great Vehicle' is one of the two main existing schools of Buddhism and a term for

Hosso

The Yogacara (瑜伽行派 Yugagyouha) schools are based on early Indian Buddhist thought by masters such as Vasubandhu, and are also known as "consciousness only" since they teach a form of idealism which posits that all phenomena are phenomena of the mind. Yogācāra (Sanskrit "yoga practice" "one whose practice is yoga" Chinese Yüjiazong "Yoga School" 瑜珈宗 is an influential school of Eastern Philosophy Vasubandhu ( fl 4th c was according to Mahayana Buddhist tradition an Indian Buddhist scholar-monk and along with his half-brother Asanga In Western civilization, Idealism is the philosophy which maintains that the Ultimate nature of reality is ideal or based upon ideas values essences The so-called The Hosso school was founded by Xuanzang (玄奘, Jp. See also Xuanzang (fictional character Xuanzang ( pronounced Shwan-dzang) was a famous Chinese Buddhist Monk, scholar traveler Genjo), China, c. 630 CE, and introduced to Japan in 654 CE. The Discourse on the Theory of Consciousness-Only (Jo yuishikiron 成唯識論) is an important text for the Hosso school.

Kegon

Also known by its Chinese name Huayen (華厳), the Kegon school was founded by Dushun (杜順, Jp. Dushun ( 557–640 was the First Patriarch in Hua-yen school of Chinese Buddhism Dojun), China, c. 600 CE, and introduced to Japan by Bodhisena in 736 CE. Events By Place World The population of the Earth rises to about 208 million people Bodhisena ( Sanskrit बोधिसेन Chinese and Japanese 菩提僊那 704-760 born a Brahmin in India was a Buddhist Events By Place Asia The scholar-priest Rōben invites Shinshō to give lectures on the Avatamsaka Sutra at Kinshōsen-ji The Avatamsaka Sutra (Kegonkyo 華厳経) is the central text for the Kegon school. The Avataṃsaka Sūtra ( Japanese: Kegon Kyō) is one of the most influential Mahayana Sutras of East Asian Buddhism.

Heian Period

The Late Nara period saw the introduction of Esoteric Buddhism (密教, Jp. mikkyo) to Japan from China, by Kūkai and Saichō, who founded the Shingon and Tendai schools. Kūkai (ja 空海 or also known posthumously as Kōbō-Daishi (ja 弘法大師 774&ndash835 CE was a Japanese monk, Scholar (767&ndash822 was a Japanese Buddhist monk credited with founding the Tendai school in Japan based around the Chinese Tiantai tradition he was exposed Shingon Buddhism (眞言 真言 " true words " is a major school of Japanese Buddhism, and is the other branch of Vajrayana Buddhism History The Tiantai teaching was first brought to Japan by the Chinese monk Jianzhen (鑑眞 Jp Ganjin in the middle of the 8th century, but The later Heian period saw the formation of the first truly Japanese school of Buddhism, that of Nichiren. Nichiren (日蓮 ( February 16, 1222 &ndash October 13, 1282) born, later, and finally Nichiren, was a Buddhist

Tendai

Known as Tiantai (天台) in China, the Tendai school was founded by Zhiyi (智顗, Jp Chigi) in China, c. Tiantai (天台宗 Wade-Giles: T'ien T'ai) is one of the important sects of Buddhism in China, Korea and Japan, also called History The Tiantai teaching was first brought to Japan by the Chinese monk Jianzhen (鑑眞 Jp Ganjin in the middle of the 8th century, but Zhiyi (智顗 Wade-Giles: Chih-i Jp Chigi (538–597 is traditionally listed as the fourth patriarch but actually is the founder of the Tiantai tradition of 550 CE. In 804 Saichō (最澄) traveled to China to study at the Tiantai teachings, at Mount Tiantai. (767&ndash822 was a Japanese Buddhist monk credited with founding the Tendai school in Japan based around the Chinese Tiantai tradition he was exposed However before his return he also studied, and was initiated into the practice of the Vajrayana - with emphasis on the Mahavairocana Sutra. The primary text of Tiantai is Lotus Sutra (Hokkekyo 法華経), but when Saichō established his school in Japan he incorporated the study and practice of Vajrayana as well. The Lotus Sutra or Sutra on the White Lotus of the Sublime Dharma (Sanskrit sa सद्धर्मपुण्डरीकसूत्र Saddharma

Shingon

Kūkai traveled to China in 804 as part of the same expedition as Saichō. Shingon Buddhism (眞言 真言 " true words " is a major school of Japanese Buddhism, and is the other branch of Vajrayana Buddhism Kūkai (ja 空海 or also known posthumously as Kōbō-Daishi (ja 弘法大師 774&ndash835 CE was a Japanese monk, Scholar In the T'ang capital he studied esoteric Buddhism, Sanskrit and received initiation from Huikuo. The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical On returning to Japan Kūkai eventually managed to establish Shingon (真言) as a school in its own right. Kūkai received two lineages of teaching—one based on the Mahavairocana Sutra (Dainichikyo 大日経), and the other based on the Vajrashekhara. The Mahāvairocana Tantra is an important Vajrayana Buddhist text

Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, located in Kyoto.
Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, located in Kyoto. is the informal name of Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺 Deer Garden Temple) in Kyoto, Japan. (IPA /kʲoːto / is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan.

Kamakura to Modern Period

The Kamakura period saw the introduction of the two schools that had perhaps the greatest impact on the country: (1) the Amidist Pure Land schools, promulgated by evangelists such as Genshin and articulated by monks such as Hōnen, which emphasize salvation through faith in Amitabha and remain the largest Buddhist sect in Japan (and throughout Asia); and (2) the more philosophical Zen schools, promulgated by monks such as Eisai and Dogen, which emphasize liberation through the insight of meditation, which were equally rapidly adopted by the upper classes and had a profound impact on Japanese culture. The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 by the first Kamakura Shogun Pure Land Buddhism ( Jìngtǔzōng; 浄土教 Jōdokyō; Korean: ko-Hang 정토종 jeongtojong; Vietnamese: 浄土宗 vi Genshin (源信 942&ndash1017 also know as Eshin Sozu, was the most influential of a number of Tendai scholars active during the eleventh and twelfth centuries Hōnen (法然 1133-1212 is the founder of the first independent branch of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism known as Jōdo Shū. Amitābha ( Sanskrit: अमिताभ Amitābha (wordstem pronunciation; Chinese: 阿彌陀佛 Ēmítuó Fó; Tibetan: འོད་དཔག་མེད་ Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism, referred to in Chinese as Chan. Myōan Eisai (明菴栄西 ( April 20, 1141 – July 5, 1215) was a Japanese Buddhist priest credited with bringing the The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over millenia from the country's prehistoric Jomon culture to its contemporary hybrid culture which combines influences from Asia

Amidist Schools

Jodo Shu

Founder: Huiyuan (慧遠, Jp. also known as Jodo Buddhism is a branch of Pure Land Buddhism derived from the teachings of the Japanese ex- Tendai monk Hōnen. Eon), China, c. 400 CE
Chinese name: Jingtu (浄土) "Pure Land"
First Introduction to Japan: Hōnen (法然), 1175 CE
Doctrine: nembutsu (念仏, "prayer to Buddha")
Primary Text: Infinite Life Sutra (Muryojukyo 無量壽経)

Jodo Shinshu

Founder: Shinran (親鸞), 1224 CE
Japanese name: 浄土真, "True Pure Land"
Major Influences: Jodo
Doctrine: shintai zokutai (真諦俗諦, "Real Truth, Common Truth")
Primary Text: Infinite Life Sutra (Muryojukyo 無量壽経)

Ji Shu

Founder: Ippen (一遍), 1270 CE
Japanese name: 時宗 or 時衆, "Time"
Major Influences: Jodo
Doctrine: nenbutsu (念仏, "mindfulness of the Buddha")
Primary Text:

Yudsunenbutsu Shu

Founder: Ryōnin (良忍), 1117 CE
Japanese name: 融通念仏
Doctrine: sokushitsu ōjō (速疾往生,)
Primary Text: Avatamsaka Sutra (Kegonkyo 華厳経)・Lotus Sutra (Hokekyo 法華経)

Zen Schools

Several variants of Zen's practice and experiential wisdom (禅宗) were separately brought to Japan. Pure Land Buddhism ( Jìngtǔzōng; 浄土教 Jōdokyō; Korean: ko-Hang 정토종 jeongtojong; Vietnamese: 浄土宗 vi Hōnen (法然 1133-1212 is the founder of the first independent branch of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism known as Jōdo Shū. The Infinite Life Sutra, or Larger Pure Land Sutra, a Mahayana Buddhist text is the primary text of Pure Land Buddhism, and also known as Shin Buddhism is a school of Pure Land Buddhism. Shinran 親鸞 ( May 21, 1173 – January 16, 1263) was a Japanese Buddhist monk who was born in Hino (now a part of Fushimi, meaning "the way of the jō " or is a Japanese martial art using short staffs called jō. The Infinite Life Sutra, or Larger Pure Land Sutra, a Mahayana Buddhist text is the primary text of Pure Land Buddhism, and Ippen (一遍上人 also known as Zuien, (1234 &ndash 1289 was a Japanese Buddhist itinerant preacher ( hijiri) who founded the Ji (時宗 meaning "the way of the jō " or is a Japanese martial art using short staffs called jō. Nianfo ( Chinese: 念[[wikt 佛|佛]] Pinyin: nianfo; Japanese: 念佛 nembutsu; Korean: 염불 yeombul The Avataṃsaka Sūtra ( Japanese: Kegon Kyō) is one of the most influential Mahayana Sutras of East Asian Buddhism. The Lotus Sutra or Sutra on the White Lotus of the Sublime Dharma (Sanskrit sa सद्धर्मपुण्डरीकसूत्र Saddharma Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism, referred to in Chinese as Chan. Note that Zen influences are identifiable earlier in Japanese Buddhism, esp. cross-fertilization with Hosso and Kegon, but the independent schools were formed quite late.

Soto

Founders: Caoshan (曹山, Jp. Sōtō-shū ( Japanese: 曹洞宗 Cáodòngzōng is one of the two major Sino - Japanese Zen sects (the other being Rinzai) Sosan) and Dongshan (洞山, Jp. Tung-shan Liang-chieh ( Japanese Tōzan Ryōkai) ( 806 - 869) was an ancient Chinese Ch'an ( Zen, Jap Tosan), China, c. 850
Chinese name: Caodong (曹洞), named after its founders
First Introduction to Japan: Dogen (道元), 1227 CE
Major Influences: Tendai, Hosso, Kegon
Doctrine: zazen (坐禅, "sitting meditation"), especially shikantaza
Primary Texts: Transcendental Wisdom Sutras aka Prajnaparamita Sutras (般若波羅蜜経), incl. Cáodòng (characters 曹洞宗 pinyin cáodòngzōng is a Chinese Zen Buddhist sect founded by Dongshan Liangjie and his Dharma-heirs History The Tiantai teaching was first brought to Japan by the Chinese monk Jianzhen (鑑眞 Jp Ganjin in the middle of the 8th century, but Dharma-character school (Chinese 法相宗 Pinyin fa xiang zong, Japanese Hossō is the pejorative name for a stream of thought that represented the Indian For the Japanese waterfall see Kegon Falls. Kegon (華厳 ( or in some dialects) is the name of the Japanese transmission Zazen (坐禅 Chinese zuò chán Pinyin or tso-chan Wade-Giles) is at the heart of Zen Buddhist practice is a Japanese term for Zazen introduced by Dogen Zenji and associated most with the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, but which also is "the " Perfection of Wisdom " is a translation of the Sanskrit term prajñā pāramitā ( Devanagari: प्रज्ञा पारमिता Heart Sutra

Japanese Buddhist priest c.1897
Japanese Buddhist priest c. The Heart of Perfect Wisdom Sutra or Heart Sutra or Essence of Wisdom Sutra ( Sanskrit: प्रज्ञापारमिताहृदयसूत्र 1897

Rinzai

Founder: Linji (臨済), China, c. The Rinzai school ( Japanese: Rinzai-shū, Chinese: línjì zōng) is one of the three Japanese Zen sects. Línjì Yìxuán (臨済義玄 Wade-Giles: Lin-chi I-hsüan; Japanese: Rinzai Gigen) (?–866 was the founder of the Linji school 850
Chinese name: Linji (臨済), named after founder
First Introduction to Japan: Eisai (栄西), 1191 CE
Major Influences: Hosso, Kegon
Doctrine: zazen (坐禅, "sitting meditation"), especially koan (公案, "public matter") practice
Primary Texts: Transcendental Wisdom Sutras aka Prajnaparamita Sutras (般若波羅蜜経), incl. Línjì Yìxuán (臨済義玄 Wade-Giles: Lin-chi I-hsüan; Japanese: Rinzai Gigen) (?–866 was the founder of the Linji school Myōan Eisai (明菴栄西 ( April 20, 1141 – July 5, 1215) was a Japanese Buddhist priest credited with bringing the Dharma-character school (Chinese 法相宗 Pinyin fa xiang zong, Japanese Hossō is the pejorative name for a stream of thought that represented the Indian For the Japanese waterfall see Kegon Falls. Kegon (華厳 ( or in some dialects) is the name of the Japanese transmission Zazen (坐禅 Chinese zuò chán Pinyin or tso-chan Wade-Giles) is at the heart of Zen Buddhist practice " Perfection of Wisdom " is a translation of the Sanskrit term prajñā pāramitā ( Devanagari: प्रज्ञा पारमिता Heart Sutra

Obaku

Founder: Ingen (隠元), Japan, 1654 CE
Japanese name: 黄檗, named the mountain where the founder had lived in China
Major Influences: Rinzai
Doctrine: kyozen itchi (経禅一致, "Unity of Sutras and Zen")
Primary Texts: Transcendental Wisdom Sutras aka Prajnaparamita Sutras (般若波羅蜜経), incl. The Heart of Perfect Wisdom Sutra or Heart Sutra or Essence of Wisdom Sutra ( Sanskrit: प्रज्ञापारमिताहृदयसूत्र Ingen Ryuki ( Chinese 隱元隆琦 Yinyuan Longqi) ( Fuqing, Fujian, 1592 - Uji, 1673 was a Chinese Linji The Rinzai school ( Japanese: Rinzai-shū, Chinese: línjì zōng) is one of the three Japanese Zen sects. " Perfection of Wisdom " is a translation of the Sanskrit term prajñā pāramitā ( Devanagari: प्रज्ञा पारमिता Heart Sutra

Fuke

Founder: Puhua Chanshi (普化禅師)
First introduction to Japan: Shinchin Kakushin (心地覚心), 1254 CE
Major Influences: Rinzai
Abolished: 1871

Nichiren Buddhism

The schools of Nichiren Buddhism trace themselves to the monk Nichiren (日蓮: "Sun-Lotus") and the proclamation of his teachings in CE 1253. The Heart of Perfect Wisdom Sutra or Heart Sutra or Essence of Wisdom Sutra ( Sanskrit: प्रज्ञापारमिताहृदयसूत्र Fuke Zen (普化禪 was a branch of Zen Buddhism which existed in Japan from the 13th century until the late 19th century The Rinzai school ( Japanese: Rinzai-shū, Chinese: línjì zōng) is one of the three Japanese Zen sects. The founder Nichiren From the age of 16 until 32 Nichiren studied in numerous temples in Japan especially Mt Nichiren (日蓮 ( February 16, 1222 &ndash October 13, 1282) born, later, and finally Nichiren, was a Buddhist Doctrinally the schools focus on the Lotus Sutra (妙法蓮華經: Myoho Renge Kyō; abbrev. The Lotus Sutra or Sutra on the White Lotus of the Sublime Dharma (Sanskrit sa सद्धर्मपुण्डरीकसूत्र Saddharma 法華經: Hokkekyō), but practice centers on the mantra Nam(u) Myōhō Renge Kyō (南無妙法蓮華經). A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō (南無妙法蓮華經 also transliterated Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō; literally translated as Devotion to the Law of the Lotus Flower Nichiren Buddhism split into several denominations after the death of Nichiren, typically represented by tradition-oriented schools such as Nichiren Shu and Nichiren Shoshu and "new religions" such as Soka Gakkai, Rissho Kosei Kai, and Reiyukai. Nichiren Shu (日蓮宗 "Nichiren School" is the oldest of the Nichiren Buddhist schools Nichiren Shōshū (日蓮正宗 is a branch of Nichiren Buddhism based on the teachings of the 13th century Japanese monk Nichiren ( 1222 – 1282 is a term used in Japan to describe New religious movements They are also known as in Japanese and are most often called simply Japanese new religions Risshō Kōsei Kai (立正佼成会 until June 1960 大日本立正交成会 Dai-Nippon Risshō Kōsei Kai) is a Japanese Buddhist lay movement See Nichiren Buddhism for a more complete list. The founder Nichiren From the age of 16 until 32 Nichiren studied in numerous temples in Japan especially Mt

Silk Road artistic influences

In Japan, Buddhist art started to develop as the country converted to Buddhism in 548 CE. Some tiles from the Asuka period (shown above), the first period following the conversion of the country to Buddhism, display a strikingly classical style, with ample Hellenistic dress and realistically-rendered body shape characteristic of Greco-Buddhist art. The, was a period in the History of Japan lasting from 538 to 710 (or 592-645 although its beginning could be said to overlap with the preceding Kofun period. Greco-Buddhist art is the artistic manifestation of Greco-Buddhism, a cultural Syncretism between the Classical Greek culture and Buddhism

Other works of art incorporated a variety of East Asia influences, so that Japanese Buddhist became extremely varied in its expression. Many elements of Greco-Buddhist art remain to this day however, such as the Hercules inspiration behind the Nio guardian deities in front of Japanese Buddhist temples, or representations of the Buddha reminiscent of Greek art such as the Buddha in Kamakura. Hercules is the Roman name for the Mythical Greek hero Heracles, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmena. Kongōrikishi (金剛力士 or Niō (仁王 are two wrath-filled and muscular guardians of the Buddha, standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples in is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan, about 50 km south-south-west of Tokyo. [2]

Deities

Iconographical evolution of the Wind God. Left: Greek wind god from Hadda, 2nd century. Middle: wind god from Kızıl, Tarim Basin, 7th century. Right: Japanese wind god Fujin, 17th century.
Iconographical evolution of the Wind God.
Left: Greek wind god from Hadda, 2nd century. Hadda is a Greco-Buddhist archeological site located in the ancient area of Gandhara, inside the Khyber Pass, six miles south of the city of Jalalabad
Middle: wind god from Kızıl, Tarim Basin, 7th century. The Tarim Basin ( is a large Endorheic basin occupying an area of more than 400000 km²
Right: Japanese wind god Fujin, 17th century.
Iconographical evolution from the Greek god Herakles to the Japanese god Shukongōshin. From left to right: 1) Herakles (Louvre Museum). 2) Herakles on coin of Greco-Bactrian king Demetrius I. 3) Vajrapani, the protector of the Buddha, depicted as Herakles in the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara. 4) Shukongōshin, manifestation of Vajrapani, as protector deity of Buddhist temples in Japan.
Iconographical evolution from the Greek god Herakles to the Japanese god Shukongōshin. In Greek mythology, Heracles or Herakles ("glory of Hera " or Kongōrikishi (金剛力士 or Niō (仁王 are two wrath-filled and muscular guardians of the Buddha, standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples in From left to right:
1) Herakles (Louvre Museum). In Greek mythology, Heracles or Herakles ("glory of Hera " or
2) Herakles on coin of Greco-Bactrian king Demetrius I. In Greek mythology, Heracles or Herakles ("glory of Hera " or The Gr(aeco-Bactrian Kingdom was the easternmost part of the Hellenistic world covering Bactria and Sogdiana in Central Asia from 250 Demetrius I (ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ was a Greco-Bactrian king (reigned circa 200-180 BC
3) Vajrapani, the protector of the Buddha, depicted as Herakles in the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara. Vajrapāṇi (from Sanskrit Vajra, "thunderbolt" or "diamond" and pāṇi, lit Gandhāra ( Sanskrit: गन्धार Urdu: گندھارا Gandḥārā; also known as Waihind in Persian is the name of an ancient
4) Shukongōshin, manifestation of Vajrapani, as protector deity of Buddhist temples in Japan. Kongōrikishi (金剛力士 or Niō (仁王 are two wrath-filled and muscular guardians of the Buddha, standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples in Vajrapāṇi (from Sanskrit Vajra, "thunderbolt" or "diamond" and pāṇi, lit

Various other Greco-Buddhist artistic influences can be found in the Japanese Buddhist pantheon, the most striking of which being that of the Japanese wind god Fujin. In consistency with Greek iconography for the wind god Boreas, the Japanese wind god holds above his head with his two hands a draping or "wind bag" in the same general attitude. In Greek Mythology, the Anemoi (in Greek, Άνεμοι &mdash " winds " were Wind gods who were each ascribed [3] The abundance of hair have been kept in the Japanese rendering, as well as exaggerated facial features.

Another Buddhist deity, named Shukongoshin, one of the wrath-filled protector deities of Buddhist temples in Japan, is also an interesting case of transmission of the image of the famous Greek god Herakles to the Far-East along the Silk Road. Kongōrikishi (金剛力士 or Niō (仁王 are two wrath-filled and muscular guardians of the Buddha, standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples in In Greek mythology, Heracles or Herakles ("glory of Hera " or The Silk Road, or Silk Routes, are an extensive interconnected network of Trade routes across the Asian continent connecting East South and Western Asia with the Herakles was used in Greco-Buddhist art to represent Vajrapani, the protector of the Buddha, and his representation was then used in China and Japan to depict the protector gods of Buddhist temples. In Greek mythology, Heracles or Herakles ("glory of Hera " or Vajrapāṇi (from Sanskrit Vajra, "thunderbolt" or "diamond" and pāṇi, lit [4]

Artistic motifs

Vine and grape scrolls from Nara, 7th century.
Vine and grape scrolls from Nara, 7th century.

The artistic inspiration from Greek floral scrolls is found quite literally in the decoration of Japanese roof tiles, one of the only remaining element of wooden architecture throughout centuries. The clearest one are from 7th century Nara temple building tiles, some of them exactly depicting vines and grapes. is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. These motifs have evolved towards more symbolic representations, but essentially remain to this day in many Japanese traditional buildings. [5]

Timeline

Notes

  1. ^ Powers, John (2000). John Powers is a human name and may refer to John A Powers (1923-1980 public affairs officer for NASA John Holbrook Powers (1831-1918 "Japanese Buddhism". A Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism 1. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. 103-107.  
  2. ^ "Needless to say, the influence of Greek art on Japanese Buddhist art, via the Buddhist art of Gandhara and India, was already partly known in, for example, the comparison of the wavy drapery of the Buddha images, in what was, originally, a typical Greek style" (Katsumi Tanabe, "Alexander the Great, East-West cultural contacts from Greece to Japan", p19)
  3. ^ "The Japanese wind god images do not belong to a separate tradition apart from that of their Western counter-parts but share the same origins. (. . . ) One of the characteristics of these Far Eastern wind god images is the wind bag held by this god with both hands, the origin of which can be traced back to the shawl or mantle worn by Boreas/ Oado. In Greek Mythology, the Anemoi (in Greek, Άνεμοι &mdash " winds " were Wind gods who were each ascribed " (Katsumi Tanabe, "Alexander the Great, East-West cultural contacts from Greece to Japan", p21)
  4. ^ "The origin of the image of Vajrapani should be explained. This deity is the protector and guide of the Buddha Sakyamuni. His image was modelled after that of Hercules. (. . . ) The Gandharan Vajrapani was transformed in Central Asia and China and afterwards transmitted to Japan, where it exerted stylistic influences on the wrestler-like statues of the Guardian Deities (Nio). Kongōrikishi (金剛力士 or Niō (仁王 are two wrath-filled and muscular guardians of the Buddha, standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples in " (Katsumi Tanabe, "Alexander the Great, East-West cultural contacts from Greece to Japan", p23)
  5. ^ The transmission of the floral scroll pattern from West to East is presented in the regular exhibition of Ancient Japanese Art, at the Tokyo National Museum. Established 1872 the, or TNM, is the oldest and largest Museum in Japan.

See also

Buddhism

References

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