Japanese Buddhism

Japanese Buddhism

Buddhism was introduced to Japan from Korea in 572, when Korean monks came to Nara to introduce the eight doctrinal schools. The Nara schools would eventually wane in influence. Until 584, Buddhism failed to establish a strong footing in Japan.

Some years later Empress Suiko openly encouraged the acceptance of Buddhism among all Japanese people. In 607, in order to obtain copies of Sutras, an imperial envoy was dispatched to Sui dynasty China. As time progressed and the number of Buddhist clergy incraesed, the offices of Sojo (archbishop) and Sozu (bishop) were created.

By 627 there were 46 Buddhist temples, 816 Buddhist priests, and 569 Buddhist nuns in Japan.

Major Buddhist schools in Japan include:

• Zen (Soto and Rinzai)
• Shingon, the Japanese form of Tantric Buddhism founded by Kukai
• Jodo or Pure Land school founded by Honen
• Jodo Shinshu or True Pure Land school founded by Shinran
• Tendai or founded by Saicho
• Nichiren or founded by Nichiren