+

Buddhism in Japan

11.13.127.5.4 – Trace the development of distinctive forms of Japanese Buddhism

Adopted Confucian ideals

Landscape painting,

+Reading Questions:Page 258-261 1. What characteristics do Chinese and Japanese writing

share? Both use characters to stand for specific things, actions or ideas.

2. Why was The Tale of Genji a significant literary achievement? It was the world’s first novel—long, realisitic story centered around one character.

3. Picture on pg. 258: What characteristics of Kabuki does this image show? Heavy makeup, elaborate costume.

4. How do Japanese calligraphers express meaning through their writing? They change the sizes and shapes of the characters they write.

5. What are the subjects of Japanese brush paintings? Landscapes, historical events, scenes from daily life.

6. What was the aim of Japanese gardeners and flower arrangers? To show the beauty of nature and create a peaceful space.

+Buddhism in Japan C-Notes Origins

Soga Clan – Shotoku use Buddhism for political power

Buddhism becomes powerful

Buddhism/Shinto Blend

IndiaChinaKoreaJapan

First (500s-600s) government officials/nobles accepted BuddhismLater (600s-700s), common people accepted Buddhism too

Monasteries gain land, land = power, monasteries become very powerful.

Each meet different needs: Shinto = Daily Life Buddhism = Next Life

+4 Buddhist Sects (smaller religious groups within a larger religious group)

Name Core Belief Requirements

1) Zen

2) Pure Land (Amida)

3) Shingon

4) Nichiren

+Zen Buddhism

In 1191, the Zen sect was introduced from China. Its complicated theories were popular particularly among the samurai and members of the military class. The goal was mental and physical discipline. According to Zen teachings, one can achieve self-enlightenment through meditation and martial arts.

+Pure Land (Amida) Buddhism

This denomination of Buddhism said that there was an afterlife that all believers could go to where they could escape the suffering of life on earth and practice reaching enlightenment. Pure Land Buddhism had followers from all different social classes since its theories were simple and based on the principle that everybody can achieve salvation by strongly believing in the Buddha Amida.

+Shingon Buddhism

According to Shingon Buddhism, there are "secrets" of the body, speech, and mind which a person must explore and understand in order to achieve their buddha-nature. Not everyone has this opportunity. These secrets cannot be written down or taught to large groups; instead, they must be passed directly from master to student on an individual basis.

+Nichiren Buddhism

Nichiren believed that the other sects of Buddhism in Japan were corrupted and no longer taught the true dharma. In one of his early essays, The Establishment of Righteousness and the Security of the Country, he blamed a series of earthquakes, storms and famines on these "false" schools. The Buddha must have withdrawn his protection from Japan, he said. Only the practices he, Nichiren, prescribed would return the Buddha's favor and help people reach enlightenment.

+4 Buddhist Sects

Name Core Belief Requirements

1) Zen Mental/Physical discipline Nirvana

Martial Arts, Meditation

2) Pure Land (Amida)

People go to a happy afterlife and then reach Nirvana

Faith in Lord Amida

3) Shingon Only some can learn the truthNirvana

Private teachers, secret knowledge, art/literature emphasis

4) Nichiren All other sects are corrupt/wrong

Follow Nichiren’s teachings --the“One True Way”