Buddhism is one of the biggest religions in the world today. There are many divisions in Buddhism. Out of these Buddhism, I would like to concentrate on Shingon Buddhism, True Pure Land, and Zen Buddhism. In Japan, there are several societies which they teach these Buddhism within their education. However, there was a man who had built this enormous religion.
Buddhism was first founded by a man named Siddartha Gautama in the era of 563-483 BC. He was born (c. 563 BC; Kapilavastu, Nepal) into the Gautama family of the Shakaya clan. In Buddhism, the teachings were mostly based on his experience. Even though he was a man who had everything, Gautama realized he had to see more about initial human situations. Therefore he left his palace, and tried everything he could to get and know who he was, which he could not find out yet. This caused him to train by himself. As a result, "having thus discovered the facts of aging, disease, and death", he became awakened, which he calls "Buddha" (Folder1, P27).
There are three basic divisions in Buddhism. First, Theravada, which means elders, emphasizes on monastic life and individual effort based on Gautama's own experiences and thoughts, which are written in early sutras, writings of Gautama's words. Second group is Mahayana, founded by Indian philosopher named Nagarjuna, emphasizes on Bodhisattvas. It has compassion, and puts off enlightenment to help others. The third group is Vajrayana, meaning Diamond Vehicle, which focuses on tantric practices. As a later development in northern India, it was influenced by Hinduism's tantric practices. Tantra means secret, magical teaching and practice. This Buddhism is esoteric. .
As you can see, each of these Buddhism had affect on Buddhism in Japan, too. First, Zen Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes meditation, self-contemplation, and intuition over traditional forms of worship. And this awakening happens upon these things and training.