Buddhism in Japan | History

Buddhism in Japan

Buddhism in contemporary Japan exhibits several distinctive characteristics: In a country that sometimes prides itself on having achieved a secular society, the Buddhist religion often seems marginal to contemporary Japanese culture. Yet surveys reveal that a large majority (roughly 75%) identifies itself as Buddhist. In institutional terms, Japanese Buddhism is simply the sum of its denominations, and being a Buddhist means being a member of

Amida Buddha statue, Japan

Buddhism in Japan has been practiced since its official introduction in 552 CE from Baekje, Korea, by Buddhist monks, according to Chronicles of Japan. Buddhism has had a major influence on the development of Japanese society and remains an influential aspect of the culture to this day. In modern times, Japan's popular schools of Buddhism are Pure Land Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, Shingon Buddhism and Zen

Tōdai-ji Temple

Tōdai-ji Temple. Tōdai-ji (Eastern Great Temple) is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful 7 Great Temples located in the city of Nara, Japan. The temple also serves as the Japanese headquarters of the Kegon school of Buddhism. Its Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den) houses the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese as Daibutsu.

Enryaku-ji Monastery

Enryaku-ji Monastery. Enryaku-ji is the most significant Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei in Ōtsu, overlooking Kyoto. It was founded in 788 during the early Heian period (794-1185). The temple complex was established by Saichō (767–822), who introduced the Tendai sect of Mahāyāna Buddhism to Japan from China. Enryaku-ji is the headquarters of the Tendai sect and very significant monastery in Japanese history.

Mount Kōya

Mount Kōya (Kōya-san) is a large temple settlement in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan to the south of Osaka. First settled in 819 by the monk Kūkai (774-835), Mount Kōya is primarily known as the world headquarters of the Kōyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Mount Kōya is also a common starting point to the Shikoku Pilgrimage (Shikoku Junrei) associated with Kūkai. Home of 117 temples.

Mount Hiei | Tendai Buddhism

Mount Hiei (Hieizan) is a mountain to the northeast of Kyoto, lying on the border between the Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures, Japan. The temple of Enryaku-ji, the first outpost of the Japanese Tendai sect of Buddhism, was founded atop Mount Hiei by Saichō in 788 and rapidly grew into a sprawling complex of temples and buildings. It remains the Tendai headquarters to this day.