Japanese Buddhism
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-Kamakura period (1185 onwards). Each period saw the introduction of new doctrines and upheavals in existing schools.
Nara Period
Buddhism was first introduced to Japan via the Korean peninsula in 552, when Baekje monks came to Nara to introduce the eight doctrinal schools. 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. In 607, in order to obtain copies of Sutras, an imperial envoy was dispatched to Sui dynasty China. 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.
The Nara schools can be divided into the Yogacara and Monastic schools.
Yogacara Schools
The Yogacara (瑜伽行派) schools are based on early Indian Buddhist thought by masters such as Vasubandhu.
Founder: Xuanzang (玄奘, Jp. Genjo), China, c. 630 AD
Chinese name: Faxiang (法相), "Dharma Character"
First Introduction to Japan: Dosho, 654 AD
Major Influences: Sanron, Zen
Doctrine: yuishiki (唯識, Consciousness-only)
Primary Text: Discourse on the Theory of Consciousness-Only (Jo yuishikiron 成唯識論)
Founder: Dushun (杜順, Jp. Dojun), China, c. 600 AD
Chinese name: Huayan (華厳), "Flower Garland"
First Introduction to Japan: Bodhisena, 736 AD
Major Influences: Hosso
Doctrine: shihoukai (四法界, "Four Realms of Reality")
Primary Text: Avatamsaka Sutra (Kegonkyo 華厳経)
Monastic Schools
Founder: Daoxuan (道宣, Jp. Dosen), China, c. 650 AD
Chinese name: Lü (律), "Vinaya"
First Introduction to Japan: Ganjin (鑑真), 753 AD
Doctrine: Vinaya (the monastic rules in the Tripitaka)
Primary Text: Dharmaguptavinaya (Shibunritsu 四分律)
Heian Period
Esoteric Schools
The Esoteric Schools (密教, Jp. mikkyo) belong to the Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle) school of Buddhism, also known as Tantric Buddhism.
Founder: Zhiyi (智顗, Jp Chigi), China, c. 550 AD
Chinese name: Tiantai (天台), named after the founding temple
First Introduction to Japan: Saicho (最澄), 807 AD
Doctrine: sandai (三諦, "Triple Truth")
Primary Text: Lotus Sutra (Hokkekyo 法華経)
Founder: Kukai (空海), Japan, 816 AD
Japanese name: 真言, "True Word"
Major Influences: Tantra
Doctrine: Vajrayana/Tantra (right-handed)
Primary Texts: Mahavairochana Sutra (Dainichikyo 大日経), Diamond Sutra (Kongokyo 金剛経)
Founder: Nichiren, 1253 AD
Japanese name: 日蓮, "Japanese Lotus"
Major Influences: Tendai
Doctrine: Namu Myoho Renge Kyo (南無妙法蓮華経)
Primary Text: Lotus Sutra (Hokkekyo 法華経)
Kamakura to Modern Period
The Kamakura period saw the introduction of the two schools that had perhaps the greatest impact on the country: the Amidist Pure Land schools, which emphasized salvation through faith in Amitabha and remain the largest Buddhist sect in Japan (and throughout Asia) to this day; and the more philosophical Zen schools, which were equally rapidly adopted by the upper classes and had a profound impact on Japanese culture.
Amidist Schools
Founder: Huiyuan (慧遠, Jp. Eon), China, c. 400 AD
Chinese name: Jingtu (浄土) "Pure Land"
First Introduction to Japan: Honen (法然), 1175 AD
Doctrine: nembutsu (念仏, "prayer to Buddha")
Primary Text: Infinite Life Sutra (Muryojukyo 無量壽経)
Founder: Shinran (親鸞), 1224 AD
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)
Zen Schools
Several variants of Zen (禅宗) were separately brought to Japan. 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.
Founders: Dungshan (曹山, Jp. Sosan) and Caoshan (洞山, Jp. Tosan), China, c. 850
Chinese name: Caodung (曹洞), named after its founders
First Introduction to Japan: Dogen (道玄), 1227 AD
Major Influences: Hosso, Kegon
Doctrine: zazen (座禅, "sitting meditation")
Primary Texts: Transcendental Wisdom Sutras aka Prajnaparamita Sutras (般若波羅蜜経), incl. Heart Sutra
Founder: Linji (臨済), China, c. 850
Chinese name: Linji (臨済), named after founder
First Introduction to Japan: Eisai (栄西), 1191 AD
Major Influences: Hosso, Kegon
Doctrine: koan (公案, "device; idea")
Primary Texts: Transcendental Wisdom Sutras aka Prajnaparamita Sutras (般若波羅蜜経), incl. Heart Sutra
Founder: Huangbo (黄檗), China, c. 850
Chinese name: Huangbo (黄檗), named after founder
First Introduction to Japan: Ingen (隠元 ?), 1654 AD
Major Influences: Rinzai
Doctrine: kyozen itchi (経全一致, "Unity of Sutras and Zen")
Primary Texts: Transcendental Wisdom Sutras aka Prajnaparamita Sutras (般若波羅蜜経), incl. Heart Sutra
See also: Buddhist philosophy, Buddhism in China
Timeline
References
- Asakawa, K and Lodge, Henry Cabot (Ed.). Japan From the Japanese Government History.
Referenced By
BuddHism | Buddhist | Buddhists | Buddism | Budhism | East Asian Buddhism | East Asian Buddhist | Four Guardian Gods | Korean Buddhism | List of Japan-related topics 123-K | List of specific demons and types of demons | Shingon | Shingon Buddhism | Shinran
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