{"id":26825,"date":"2024-08-03T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-03T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/?p=26825"},"modified":"2025-07-25T14:49:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T05:49:34","slug":"buddhism-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/buddhism-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"An introduction to Buddhism in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Buddhism is one of the two main religions in Japan and has co-existed with its counterpart, <\/span>Shint\u014dism<\/span><\/i> (\u795e\u9053) for many centuries. Buddhism was officially brought to Japan from China and Korea during the 6th century and was intended as a present of goodwill between nations.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The arrival of Buddhism in Japan also brought with it a new writing system, political structure, superior technology, and sophisticated cultural practices which the nobles and aristocrats loved. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an overview article on the history of Buddhism in Japan, the main Buddhist sects and some associated rituals in contemporary Japan. Read on if you want to learn more about Buddhism in Japan! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Origins of Buddhism in Japan<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First introduced as a kind of present of goodwill between nations, it is not difficult to understand why Buddhism first spread among the nobles and aristocrats. According to the <\/span>Nihon Shoki<\/span><\/i> (\u65e5\u672c\u66f8\u7d00, Japanese Chronicles) which is the second oldest historical record in Japan, Buddhism was introduced in 552. The legend mentions the Japanese Emperor consulting with his officials about whether Buddhism should be worshiped in Japan. They were divided on the issue, scared of angering the <\/span>Kami<\/span><\/i>, or <\/span>Shint\u014d<\/span><\/a> gods.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution was to let the Soga Clan be the first practitioner of Buddhism as a trial to see how it was received. The Soga Clan was the most powerful aristocratic group at the time with close connections to the Imperial House and played a key role in spreading Buddhism throughout Japan in its early stages. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, they were met with resistance from various factions blaming Buddhism for diseases and bad fortune. However, from the turmoil that followed, the Soga Clan emerged victorious and promoted Buddhism with support from the imperial court.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ever since, Buddhism has played a key role in Japanese history and had strong political influence. During the Nara period (710-794), the very impressive temple <\/span>T<\/span><\/i>\u014d<\/span><\/i>daiji<\/span><\/i> \u6771\u5927\u5bfa <\/span>became the centerpiece of Buddhism in Japan. The political influence of Buddhism became a large reason why the capital was later moved to <\/span>Heian-Ky<\/span><\/i>\u014d<\/span><\/i> \u5e73\u5b89\u4eac<\/span>(Modern Kyoto).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Schools of Buddhism and their associated temples<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over the years Buddhism in Japan has evolved, changed and become interconnected with <\/span>Shint\u014dism<\/span> in complicated ways. Today there are six main branches of Buddhism in Japan, namely: Zen, Nara, Tendai, Shingon, Amida (Pure Land), and Nichiren.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zen Buddhism<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What’s special about Zen Buddhism is the focus on sitting meditation, or <\/span>zazen<\/span><\/i> (\u5ea7\u7985) to become enlightened. Zen Buddhism is perhaps the most popular Buddhist religion in Western countries due to the cultural boom of zen-meditation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One temple where you can try out zen-meditation and space out into the void yourself – is the <\/span>Nanzenji <\/span><\/i>(\u5357\u7985\u5bfa) temple in Kyoto.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nara Buddhism<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nara Buddhism broadly refers to six different schools of Buddhism which were officially sponsored during the Nara period. Out of those, three have survived today but became much less influential after the capital was relocated to Heian-Ky\u014d. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main temple of Nara Buddhism is T\u014ddaiji (\u6771\u5927\u5bfa), the largest wooden building in the whole world and truly a spectacular sight if you travel to <\/span>Nara City<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tendai Buddhism<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The founder of Tendai Buddhism in Japan, <\/span>Saich\u014d<\/span><\/i> \u6700\u6f84, <\/span>pledged to protect the capital and in extension, the nation of Japan. The Buddhist monk built a new temple complex on top of the overlooking mountain, Mt Hiei (<\/span>\u6bd4\u53e1\u5c71 <\/span>Hieizan<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tendai Buddhism has a larger focus on \u201cenlightenment for everyone\u201d and created the foundation of which nearly all major Buddhist figures in Japanese history studied at some point in their career.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shingon Buddhism<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Shingon Buddhism, true enlightenment could not be achieved by just studying and there was a heavy focus on meditation with special invocations, elaborate hand-positions, and mandalas (a symbol of the universe in its ideal form).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The founder <\/span>K\u016bkai<\/span><\/i> \u7a7a\u6d77<\/span> established the headquarters of this newly imported form of Buddhism on top of Mt K\u014dya (\u9ad8\u91ce\u5c71 <\/span>K\u014dyasan<\/span><\/i>). He was made the abbot of the main temple of <\/span>T\u014dji<\/span><\/i> (\u6771\u5bfa). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mt K\u014dya today is one of the most atmospheric places you can visit in Japan and a huge recommendation to anyone regardless if you are interested in Japanese history or not.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amida (Pure Land) Buddhism<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There were two Amida sects in Heian-Ky\u014d during the late Heian Period. These were <\/span>J\u014ddo-sh\u016b<\/span><\/i> \u6d44\u571f\u5b97 and J\u014ddoshin-sh\u016b \u6d44\u571f\u771f\u5b97. The founder of J\u014ddo-sh\u016b, H\u014dnen \u6cd5\u7136, and his student <\/span>Shinran<\/span><\/i> \u89aa\u9e1e<\/span> had studied at Enryakuji but thought that the severe self-discipline of previous Buddhist teachings was too much to handle for commoners. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they founded a new sect that promised enlightenment simply by repeatedly chanting the three words <\/span>Namu Amida Butsu<\/span><\/i> (\u5357\u7121\u963f\u5f25\u9640\u4ecf, I take refuge in the Amida Buddha). This new religion became immensely popular since it was accessible to everyone and not just the aristocracy.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The associated temples are <\/span>Chion-in<\/span><\/i> (\u77e5\u6069\u9662), <\/span>Nishi-Honganji<\/span><\/i> (\u897f\u672c\u9858\u5bfa), and <\/span>Higashi-Honganji<\/span><\/i> (\u6771\u672c\u9858\u5bfa), all remarkable temples in the Kyoto area and definitely worth your visit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nichiren Buddhism<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nichiren Buddhism was the answer to<\/span> a group of people not happy with the new pure land Buddhism sects. They actively made enemies with the other sects proclaiming that the only true teaching to reach enlightenment was through Nichiren Buddhism and the sacred readings of the Lotus Sutra. At one time they found themselves at war with the Enryakuji warrior monks and were defeated in a battle that burned down much of Kyoto City.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although once almost eradicated, today Nichiren sects have bounced back and there are numerous associated temples in Japan. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Associated rituals and celebrations<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever seen the spectacle where kids open the front door and throw out beans while saying the phrase \u201c<\/span>Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi<\/span><\/i>\u201d? (\u9b3c\u306f\u5916\u798f\u306f\u5185, the demon goes out and the luck comes in) <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the tradition of <\/span>mamemaki<\/span><\/i> (\u8c46\u6492\u304d, bean-scattering), popular during the Buddhist holiday of <\/span>setsubun<\/span><\/i> \u7bc0\u5206 which takes place between 2-4 of February.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another Buddhist-associated<\/span> ritual is Obon<\/a> (\u304a\u76c6). It is said that the spirits of one’s relatives come back and visit during summer, and for this reason, there are large festivals with lots of dancing and lanterns to guide the spirits. At the end of the three days of Obon celebrations, you send lanterns floating down the river in a ceremony called <\/span>toro-nagashi<\/span><\/i> (\u3068\u308d\u6d41\u3057, floating lanterns). This is to guide the spirits back to their world.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buddhism in modern Japan<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Buddhism has undoubtedly had a great impact on Japanese society throughout the ages. Although most young Japanese people aren\u2019t true believers, religious customs such as visiting a temple and praying for good health remain a popular activity that almost all Japanese people do. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other signs of the significance of Buddhism in Japan are the many traditional Japanese houses equipped with a Buddhist altar, <\/span>butsudan <\/span><\/i>(\u4ecf\u58c7). And the fact that most funerals, <\/span>os\u014dshiki<\/span><\/i> (\u304a\u846c\u5f0f) are made in a Buddhist manner. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We hope you found this article on Buddhism in Japan interesting. If you are interested in more Japanese culture or life in Japan, follow our blog<\/a>! <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Buddhism is one of the two main religions in Japan and has co-existed with its counterpart, Shint\u014dism (\u795e\u9053) for many centuries. Buddhism was officially brought to Japan from China and Korea during the 6th century and was intended as a present of goodwill between nations. The arrival of Buddhism in Japan also brought with it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":25425,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[400],"tags":[693,679],"class_list":["post-26825","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japanese-culture","tag-culture","tag-history"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26825","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26825"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26825\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25425"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26825"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26825"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26825"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}