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.

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, promulgated by evagelists such as Genshin and articulated by monks such as Hōnen, 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.

Related Topics:
Kamakura period - Pure Land - Genshin - Hōnen - Amitabha - Zen - Japanese culture

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Amidist Schools

Jodo

Founder: Huiyuan (慧遠, Jp. Eon), China, c. 400 AD

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Chinese name: Jingtu (浄土) "Pure Land"

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First Introduction to Japan: Honen (法然), 1175 AD

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Doctrine: nembutsu (念仏, "prayer to Buddha")

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Primary Text: Infinite Life Sutra (Muryojukyo 無量壽経)

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Jodo Shin

Founder: Shinran (親鸞), 1224 AD

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Japanese name: 浄土真, "True Pure Land"

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Major Influences: Jodo

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Doctrine: shintai zokutai (真諦俗諦, "Real Truth, Common Truth")

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Primary Text: Infinite Life Sutra (Muryojukyo 無量壽経)

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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.

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Soto

Founders: Caoshan (曹山, Jp. Sosan) and Dongshan (洞山, Jp. Tosan), China, c. 850

Related Topics:
Caoshan - Dongshan

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Chinese name: Caodong (曹洞), named after its founders

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First Introduction to Japan: Dogen (道玄), 1227 AD

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Major Influences: Hosso, Kegon

Related Topics:
Hosso - Kegon

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Doctrine: zazen (座禅, "sitting meditation"), especially shikantaza

Related Topics:
Zazen - Shikantaza

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Primary Texts: Transcendental Wisdom Sutras aka Prajnaparamita Sutras (般若波羅蜜経), incl. Heart Sutra

Related Topics:
Prajnaparamita - Heart Sutra

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Rinzai

Founder: Linji (臨済), China, c. 850

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Chinese name: Linji (臨済), named after founder

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First Introduction to Japan: Eisai (栄西), 1191 AD

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Major Influences: Hosso, Kegon

Related Topics:
Hosso - Kegon

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Doctrine: zazen (座禅, "sitting meditation"), especially koan (公案, "public matter") practice

Related Topics:
Zazen - Koan

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Primary Texts: Transcendental Wisdom Sutras aka Prajnaparamita Sutras (般若波羅蜜経), incl. Heart Sutra

Related Topics:
Prajnaparamita - Heart Sutra

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Obaku

Founder: Ingen (隠元), Japan, 1654 AD

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Japanese name: 黄檗, named the mountain where the founder had lived in China

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Major Influences: Rinzai

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Doctrine: kyozen itchi (経禅一致, "Unity of Sutras and Zen")

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Primary Texts: Transcendental Wisdom Sutras aka Prajnaparamita Sutras (般若波羅蜜経), incl. Heart Sutra

Related Topics:
Prajnaparamita - Heart Sutra

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Fuke

Founder: Puhua Chanshi (普化禅師)

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First introduction to Japan: Shinchin Kakushin (心地覚心), 1254 AD

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Major Influences: Rinzai

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Abolished: 1871

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Nichiren

Nichiren (日蓮), "Sun Lotus". Founded by Nichiren in 1253 AD. Doctrinally the school is focused on the Lotus Sutra (Hokkekyo 法華経), but practice is based around the mantra Nam(u) Myōhō Renge Kyō (南無妙法蓮華経). The school split into several denominations after the death of Nichiren, typically represented by Nichiren Shu and Nichiren Shoshu.

Related Topics:
Nichiren - 1253 - Lotus Sutra - Nam(u) Myōhō Renge Kyō - Nichiren Shu - Nichiren Shoshu

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