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Buddhism In Japan

It is also important to note Professor Reischauer comparison of these three sects. He believes that the "popular Buddhism of Kamakura times had come to resemble Christianity in a number of ways through its emphasis on a single saving deity (Amida), the portrayal of heaven, hell, and the narrow path to salvation, the stress on faith, and the display of religious zeal in public preaching and chanting." These popular sects ultimately reconfigured the standard for religious faith in Japan for many centuries to come. .
             The first of these new sects was the Pure Land or Jodo sect. What the Pure Land Buddhists found was hope. Through simple practices they could look forward in their next life to a birth in a special realm called Sukhavati (the realm of serene bliss) or pure land. It was here that they would be able to complete their training in a perfect environment with the help of Amida Buddha. The Pure Land sect was founded in 1175 by Honen (133-1212). Honen emphasized salvation through calling on the Buddha's name and the need for temples, priests, and rituals. Honen taught of man's ability to attain salvation through his own efforts, for it was only by relying on forces outside himself that man could be saved. It was during this time that man was often searching for an escape or relief from the prevalent chaotic times. Honen claimed that the search of a release from suffering and mortality could only be accomplished if "man realized that salvation can come only through faith in Buddha's original vow. Such faith could only be expressed by repeating with utmost sincerity the name of Amida (nembutsu)." Naturally the traditional sects were outraged by his claims and in 1207 Honen was banished from Kyoto. .
             In the meantime, one of Honen's followers, Shinran (1173-1262), further simplified and popularized Honen's ideas by claiming that the call upon the name of Amida was all that was needed in man's search for salvation.


Essays Related to Buddhism In Japan

1. buddhism

So Buddhism continued traveling through Asia, reaching areas of Korea and then into the island of Japan. It reached Japan in the late sixth century when the Japanese at the time was under the Shinto religion. The Shinto looked entirely to the external world, one without icons, whereas Buddhism brought to the Japanese culture the words for compassion, wisdom, mercy, and kindness. ... Upon entering Japan, Buddhism was quickly adopted by the courts as the official state religion. ... The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Japan. ...

  • Word Count: 1127
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  • Grade Level: High School

2. Buddhism in China and Japan

China helped strengthen Buddhism, while Buddhism helped strengthen Japan. ... Over the years, as Buddhism began to cultivate and break into many different sects, it soon spread to Japan. Japan at this time was not very advanced, and had nothing that could strengthen Buddhism. ... The missionaries that brought Buddhism to Japan were from China. ... Buddhism made the Japanese more modern, and it brought Chinese culture into Japan. ...

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3. Buddhism

In Japan, however, Buddhism had a somewhat different experience. ... Buddhism also had an effect on Japanese artwork. Zen Buddhism was very prominently a part of Japanese artwork in those times. ... Being that the warriors dominated the Japanese society, this had a great impact on the attractiveness of Buddhism to the Japanese. Buddhism can be seen as a linking factor between Chinese and Japanese culture. ...

  • Word Count: 836
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4. Buddhism

Indian Philosopher and the founder of Buddhism, born in Kapilavastu, India, just inside present-day Nepal. ... Buddhism was carried into Japan from Korea. ... Prince Shotoku proclaimed it the state religion of Japan in 593. Several important new sects of Buddhism developed in China and flourished there and in Japan, as well as elsewhere in East Asia. ... Kamakura Daibutsu----Buddhism was introduced to Japan in AD 539, when a Korean ruler sought an alliance with the ruler of Yamato in Japan. ...

  • Word Count: 369
  • Approx Pages: 1
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Buddhism

Buddhism in Japan was seen as a threat to power of the government. ... Shinto's persisted on Buddhism in Japan as Daoism persisted on Buddhism and Confucianism in China. However, most Japanese followed both Shinto and Buddhism. ... In the history of Buddhism in China and Japan, it is seen that Buddhism quickly rose and fell just as fast. ... Buddhism stayed in Japan mainly because Japan was open to new ideas from other countries. ...

  • Word Count: 1012
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6. Buddhism and Japanese Culture

I knew very little about Buddhism before coming to Japan. ... Before discussing Japanese Buddhism it is important to look at the origin of Buddhism and the 'originator', the Buddha himself. ... "These men were instrumental in the transformation of "Buddhism in Japan" into "Japanese Buddhism" (Kitagawa J.M. 2005 p. 110). When Buddhism entered Japan it was associated exclusively with the court. ... " So based on this argument, it is safe to assume that due to the role the government plays in everyday lives of the Japanese, Japanese Buddhism is distant fr...

  • Word Count: 1977
  • Approx Pages: 8
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7. Zen Buddhism

Buddhism did not reach Japan, however, until October 13th, 538, from the Korean kingdom of Paekche. ... Mahayana Buddhism, or, "The Great Vehicle," became the popular form practiced in most of China, Japan and Korea. ... Her reign (592-628) marks a high point in the development of Buddhism in the pre-Nara period in Japan. ... He did, however, establish and spread Japanese Buddhism through his devotion of the ideology. Because of this, he is considered the real founder of Japanese Buddhism, and opened the door for Zen Buddhism to appear later in Japanese history. ...

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8. Japanese Monarchy

BUDDHISM: During the Nara period thousands of Japanese citizens were sent over to China to gain experience and culture from the much more advanced Chinese society. Upon returning to Japan they brought with them Chinese influences ranging from architecture, writing system - kanji and religion known as Buddhism. ... Buddhism was able to provide what Shinto was lacking therefore the Japanese people readily accepted this. ... This form of Buddhism was soon Japanized into the now known form of Zen. ... Zen Buddhism was widely accepted by the Japanese people, especially by the samurai class. ...

  • Word Count: 3562
  • Approx Pages: 14
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9. Overview of Japanese Culture

Japanese culture was influenced in many ways by the cultures of other countries. ... Influenced by Zen Buddhism, the tea ceremony seeks to purify the mind and attain oneness with nature. ... This belief came to be known as Shinto and was established as an official religion after Buddhism and Confucianism were introduced to Japan from the Asian continent. Buddhism came to Japan from the mainland Asia in the sixth century. ... Various family life-styles exist side by side in contemporary Japan. ...

  • Word Count: 622
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