Buddhism is the second most followed faith in Japan, and has been influential as a major religion in Japan since its introduction to the country over 1,000 years ago. Buddhism in Japan, while sharing many characteristics with its antecedents in Indian, Chinese, and Korean Buddhism, has evolved in such a way that, today, it has become distinct from many other forms.
Today, let’s learn about the history of Buddhism in Japan, its different schools, practices, temples, the etiquette you should observe, and the relevance of Buddhism to Japanese society today.
A Brief History of Buddhism in Japan
Buddhism was introduced to Japan through trading routes with China and Korea during the 6th Century. As such, it was initially most influenced by their interpretations of Buddhism, while retaining the basic premises of Indian Buddhism.
The Adoption of Buddhism
One of the most notable and devout of the early Buddhist practitioners was Prince Shōtoku, who, it is said, authored the Seventeen Article Constitution (十七条憲法/jūshichijō kenpō), a treatise on Buddhism and Confucian morality, which was adopted by his aunt, Empress Suiko. Rather than a set of laws as we might expect from a modern constitution, it is instead about the guiding principles that should be followed by the Imperial Court and public servants, and has been hugely influential in Japanese culture.
Possibly due to Shintoism’s polytheistic nature, after Buddhism was accepted by the elite of Japan, it spread without greatly disrupting the native religion. Indeed, it was already not unusual in the 8th Century for Shinto shrines to include Buddhist monks in ceremonies to bless the Kami.
Japanese Buddhism Emerges
The Nara period, which lasted from 710 to 794 CE, saw the establishment of what are now called the The Six Schools of Nara Buddhism. These were, as well as religious, highly academic practices of Buddhism, intending to study and expand Buddhist thought, and gave the faith its distinctly Japanese characteristics. The subsequent Heian period saw Buddhism, particularly the Tendai school of thought, initially imported from China, become dominant among the ruling class, and also saw the birth of Shinbutsu-shugo, an explicit fusion of Buddhism and Shinto.
The Kamakura period, which lasted from 1185 to 1333 CE, there was a weakening of the power of the Imperial Court, which saw the true power of Japan shift to the samurai class, and the Shogun. As a result, zen Buddhism, which had previously struggled to gain traction in the face of the preferred Tendai Buddhism, began to grow in popularity. Zen was the preferred Buddhism of the samurai class, as it promoted fearlessness in the face of death with spontaneous action.
Backlash Amidst National Reformation
The final step before the modern age was the Meiji Revolution. As a part of its modernizing efforts, the government became opposed to the role that Buddhism had played in Japanese life up until that time, and made efforts to separate it from and make it subordinate to Shinto, which was then made the state religion.
This backlash included violence against monks and their temples, with some estimating that these reforms meant that up to 80% of Buddhist temples were destroyed. To resist this, many Buddhist schools reformed to become a “partner” to Shinto, as well as fusing their beliefs with Japanese nationalism.
Following the end of the Second World War, Japan’s constitution guaranteed freedom of belief and thought, and Shinto was no longer the state religion, resulting in Buddhism slowly but surely regaining its strength. This does include, however, sometimes controversial “new religions” based on Buddhism.
Major Schools of Japanese Buddhism
Tendai Buddhism
As mentioned, Tendai Buddhism was one of the most influential schools of Buddhist thought in the Imperial Court for centuries. Founded by the monk Saicho following a pilgrimage to China, he created the Enryaku-ji temple on Mt. Hiei, emphasizing ritual practice, meditation and study. In many ways, this school, whose fundamentals are based on the Lotus Sutra (法華経/Hokke-kyō) can, in many ways, be thought of as the foundation for distinctly Japanese Buddhism.
Shingon Buddhism
This sect of Buddhism could be considered both Tendai’s closest friend and rival. The founding monk, Kūkai, was part of the same fleet that sailed to China as Saicho, where he studied esoteric Buddhism under the Chinese master Huiguo. He returned and established Kongobu-ji Temple on Mt. Koya. He taught esoteric practices to elites, laymen, and other priests, which involved learning secrets from masters that involve visualization, mantra, and hand gestures to come to the realization that one’s nature is the same as that of the cosmos.
Pure Land Buddhism (Jōdo-shū)
Today, this is the most popular form of Buddhism in Japan. Though it arrived in Japan in the 8th Century, it began to develop its own characteristics under the influence of Tendai Buddhism. Eventually, during the Kamakura period, it became one of many breakaway schools that emphasized practice of one specific ritual, in opposition to Tendai’s numerous complexities. It taught that by reciting “nami amida butsu,” (“I take refuge in the Amida Buddha”) followers could find salvation, and this simplicity made it extremely popular among commoners. This chant is still practiced by many at Buddhist temples today.
Zen Buddhism
One of the most well-known sects of Buddhism abroad, Japanese Zen Buddhism struggled to gain a foothold for centuries, but in the 12th Century, the monk Eisai returned from a pilgrimage to China to form the Rinzai school. It enjoyed the support of the samurai, and when they came to be the de facto power in Japan, rather than the nobility, its influence quickly spread. A rival Zen sect, Soto, was established roughly a century later in Japan thanks to the efforts of the monk Dogen. Soto has become the most popular version abroad, but both emphasize meditation and clear-mindedness to achieve calmness of mind and eliminate self-centered thinking.
Nichiren Buddhism
This form of Buddhism is based on the eponymous 13th Century monk Nichiren. It focuses on the teachings of the Lotus Flower Sutra, which dictates that everyone has Buddha nature within them. The three main aspects to this sect are faith in Nichiren’s own writings, his sacred calligraphy, and the chanting of “Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō” (南無妙法蓮華経/”Devotion to the Mystic Dharma of the Lotus Flower Sutra”). Today, Nichiren Buddhism has split into many different sects, including controversial “new religions.”
Key Practices and Beliefs in Japanese Buddhism
Japanese Buddhism does have some unique aspects in comparison to Buddhism from India. People readily accepted the notion of karma, where good or evil deeds are met with appropriate consequences. However, the idea of being reincarnated as a “lower” life, such as an animal, was not popular in Japan, and so this belief largely fell away. Another major difference is that bad karma cannot be excised through good deeds, but though religious practice, similar to Shinto’s notion of purification.
Everyday Buddhist Practices
Zazen meditation and chanting sutras and mantras became widespread practices in Japanese Buddhism. As mentioned above, the simplicity of chanting in order to attain liberation, rather than needing to understand multiple complex rituals, meant that this form of Buddhism became extremely popular among the people.
Buddhist practices are not especially prevalent in most people’s everyday lives. Many people will keep a small alter dedicated to departed relatives in their home, and many funerals are carried out in a Buddhist fashion, however. At temples, etiquette is similar to a Shinto shrine, in that you should bow when entering and leaving the grounds and buildings, and have hands pressed together for prayer. However, instead of clapping, it is typical to chant nami amida butsu.
Buddhist Celebrations
Obon is one of the most significant Buddhist holidays in Japan. It is a time when families come together to honor the spirits of ancestors who have passed away. Family graves are cleaned, offerings are made, and communities come together to make merry and perform the Bon Odori dance.
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The Role of Buddhism in Daily Life
Funerals are arguably the most visible and common way that Buddhist beliefs impact people in Japan. Buddhist funeral rites are the most common form of saying farewell, and include a wake, where sutras are chanted, a funeral where the deceased may be given a new Buddhist name (to prevent them returning to life if their name is called) and cremation.
Zen Buddhism
Zen Buddhism was also a major influence on the Japanese arts of the tea ceremony and calligraphy. Indeed, the practice of whipping powdered matcha was brought to Japan from China by Eisai. In calligraphy, many practitioners will clear their mind in zen fashion, as lack of confidence or impure thoughts can be recognized in the brush strokes.
Monks in Modern Japan
Monks are still visible in Japanese society, and as well as taking care of their devotional and temple duties, they can be involved in their local community, as well as having broader platforms, such as Kodo Nishimura, a monk who is an activist for LGBTQ+ causes in Japan.
Buddhism in Modern Japan
Today, Buddhism is adapting to the modern world. While few people are as willing to rise early and come to a temple for meditation at 4am, many across the world are logging on for virtual zen meditation session. There are also Youtuber monks, Some temples in urban areas are also being renovated and redesigned to make them more accessible and modern. However, more controversially, some Buddhist sects, especially those tied to Japanese nationalism, are very involved in politics, keeping them relevant, but also making them somewhat problematic to many faithful.
Iconic Buddhist Temples to Visit in Japan
Kiyomizudera – Kyoto
Established in 778 CE, this temple is best known for its flowing water that can bestow wisdom, long life, or luck in love. It is also said that anyone who jumps from the 13 meter high stage will have their wish granted, though the practice was banned in 1872 CE.
Senso-ji – Tokyo
The oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, it is famous for its iconic Kaminarimon, or “Thunder Gate” at the entrance.
Kinkaku-ji – Kyoto
Known as the Golden Pavilion Temple, only priests are allowed inside, yet its beauty means it remains a popular tourist attraction.
Todai-ji – Nara
Opened in 752 CE, this Chinese-inspired temple was one one of the group of influential Seven Great Temples, and is home to the world’s largest Bronze Buddha.
Eihei-ji – Fukui
Established in 1244 CE, this is one of the most important sites for Soto Zen Buddhism, and indeed retains the ashes of Dogen, who brought the school from China to Japan.
Mount Koya – Wakayama
The home of Kongobu-ji, the head temple of Shingon Buddhism. It is also home to a university for Buddhist studies, and 120 sub-temples.
Naritasan Shinsho-ji – Narita
Associated with the God of Fire, this is also an important temple in the Shingon School. It was founded in 940 CE to commemorate the successful defeat of a rebellion.
Buddhism vs Shinto: How They Coexist
Shintoism believes in innumerable Kami, and Buddhism also has hundreds of divine deva. As such, although there have been occasional backlashes against Buddhism, both by the people and the government, the two religions interact well together. Indeed, Shinbutsu-shūgō, a merged for of Buddhism and Shinto, slowly developed to be the de facto state religion of Japan, until Shinto was made the official state religion during the Meiji Restoration. Even today, few people in Japan see a contradiction between practicing both Shinto and Buddhism.
The places of worship may seem similar, but there are key differences. Shrines have torii gates at their entrances, while temples have larger sanmon gates. Additionally, temples are more likely to have graveyards, while shrines are more likely to have gardens or other naturalistic surroundings.
Buddhism in Pop Culture and Global Influence
Japanese Buddhism has been highly influential in the West, with Zen Buddhism, and its emphasis on meditation becoming especially popular. Indeed, the 1960s saw what was later called the “zen boom,” as many people involved in counter-culture became interested in faiths that differed from Christianity, and an outlook that was an alternative to materialist capitalism.
Buddhism in Pop Culture
As you can imagine, the various beliefs and aesthetics of Buddhism make fertile material for inspiration when it comes to contemporary art. As such, many manga, anime, and video games have significant Buddhist-influenced aesthetics or themes. One cliche of sports anime is the zen concept of “think, don’t feel,” where using your instinct leads to success. You can also find the Buddhist concept of chakra in Naruto, the cycle of death and reincarnation in Sailor Moon, and even Dragonball is based on the Buddhist tale Journey to the West.
Japanese Buddhist Architecture
Japanese architecture, especially those of Buddhist temples, has also become popular in the west. Many Buddhist temples, especially in the US, follow the Zen Buddhist inclination to use natural materials and create peaceful spaces.
Buddhism has had a lasting and indelible effect on Japan and its culture. Japanese Buddhism has taken on its own characteristics, and has heavily influenced cultures and Buddhist practices abroad. Visiting the temples and historical sites, as well as talking with monks and other practitioners, can be highly rewarding for anyone who wants to learn more about the faith, but remember to do so respectfully.
For more on religion in Japan and its role in daily life, please see our articles Religion in Japan: Common Beliefs and Social Perspectives, and What is Shintoism? for more information and insight.
