Japanese Buddhism

Japanese Buddhism refers to the so-called northern Buddhism – Mahayana (lit. “Great Vehicle”). It arrived to Japan from China through Korea in the 6th century and was established as the state religion. The Emperor’s court supported it during the Asuka (593 – 710) and Nara (710 – 794) eras. At that time the so-called “Six schools of Nara” were spread: Ritsu, Kusha, Jojitsu, Hosso, Sanron and Kegon that belonged to the “esoteric Buddhism”, i.e. accessible only for the insiders.

In the Heian era (794 – 1185) two more powerful schools appeared: Shingon and Tendai. In the Kamakura era (1185 – 1333) Zen Buddhism was brought to Japan from China (Soto and Rinzai) as well as Amidist schools (Jodo and Nitiren sects). Among Japanese mystical practices within Buddhism of special popularity was Shugendo which became one of the most important forms of Buddhist austerity.
In the 17th – 19th centuries Buddhism was one of the ideological supports of the Tokugawa Shogunate; but in Meiji era (1868 – 1912) it lost its authority, which was later restored. At present Buddhism (the traditional sects as well as new ones) has dozens of millions of followers, especially among the elder generation.

In Japan Buddhism acquired new features. Thus, the founder of the religion Buddha Shakyamuni was shoved back by the image of Amida (Amitabha), the sovereign of paradise. The goddess of mercy Kannon-bosatsu (in China Guan In, in India – Avalokitesvara) became a popular deity.

As a result, Buddhism and Shinto supplement with each other. Each Japanese person, a follower of any Buddhist sect is at the same time a Shinto follower. Home Buddhist altar is connected not only with the cult of Buddha, but also with the ancestors’ cult. Usually, along with the Buddha altar in a Japanese home there is also an altar of the Shinto

Golden pavilion. Japa, Kioto. N. Maykova. 2006		Statue of Buddha. Japan, Kamakura. N. Maykova. 2006		Buddhist secular. Japan. The Japanese by 1906 mid-to-late 19th c.
Portrait of Buddhist priests. Japan. The Japanese by 1906 mid-to-late 19th c.		Toshogu temple. Japan. Nikko. The Japanese by 1917		Kiyomizu temple. Japan. Kyoto. The Japanese, mid-to-late 19th c.
Interiors of Asakusa temple. Japan. Tokio. The Japanese, late 19th-early 20th c.		Temple dedicated to Abe no Seimei, court magician and scientist of th 10th century. Japan. Kyoto. The Japanese. Maykova N., 2006		Small sacrarium in Asuka area. Japan. Asuka. The Japanese. Maykova N., 2006
Lycoris (spider lily) has a sacral meaning in Buddhism. Japan. Asuka. The Japanese. Maykova N., 2006		Bell in Ryoko-ji,  most famous temple in Kamakura. Japan. Kamakura. The Japanese. Maykova N., 2006		Road to a temple. Japan. Nara. The Japanese. Maykova N., 2006
Buddhist monk. Japan. A Buddhist monk. The Japanese. 2006