Buddhism in the Far East

• When was Buddhism introduced into Japan?

  In the 6th century
• Why did Buddhism not spread easily among the Japanese people?

  Due to its complex doctrines
• How did Buddhism and Shintoism coexist in Japan?

  They became complementary after some minor conflict
• What is Shintoism considered in Japan?


  The traditional religion of Japan
• How do Japanese people view Shintoism and Buddhism differently?


  Shintoism is related to positive aspects of life, while Buddhism is viewed as related to negative aspects
• What percentage of Japanese people have a Buddhist funeral ceremony?

  90%
• What is the attitude of Japanese people towards belonging to multiple religions?

  They feel able to belong to multiple religions
• Since when has Japan divided Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shinto into different spheres?

  Since the 17th century
• Who introduced Tendai Buddhism in Japan?

  The monk Saicho
• What is considered the most important text in Tendai Buddhism?

  The Lotus Sutra
• How did Saicho view the equality of all forms of life in relation to Buddhahood?


  He held that all forms of life are equal in their ability to attain Buddhahood
• What did Tendai Buddhism attempt to do regarding other schools of thought?


  It attempted to incorporate the teachings of other schools by finding a middle way
• What was the law regarding Buddhist monks in Saicho’s time?


  Buddhist monks had to accept the Theravada precepts to be ordained
• What did Saicho establish at Mount Hiei?


  The Buddhist education centre
• Who founded Jodo Shu Buddhism?

  Honen
• What was Honen's claim about the Final Dharma age?

  People could no longer achieve liberation through merely following the precepts, meditation, and study
• What is the practice called that involves faithfully chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha?


  Nenbutsu
• What did Jodo Shinshu focus on?

  It was founded as a school of Buddhism for laypeople
• How did traditional Japanese Tandai buildings adapt for nenbutsu practice?

  They were converted for use in nenbutsu practice
• What did Honen argue about the nenbutsu in relation to the mappo era?


  He claimed that chanting the nenbutsu is the only practice which accords with Amitabha’s vow
• What did Honen's followers claim about the Lotus Sutra?


  They claimed that those who embraced the Lotus Sutra would fall into hell
• How did Honen's followers criticize the practice of chanting the Lotus Sutra?


  They compared it to a small boy trying to wear his grandfather’s shoes
• What was a common practice in Honen’s time regarding the Lotus Sutra?

  Chanting the Lotus Sutra with the hope of being reborn in the Pure Land
• What was Nichiren's view on the mappo era and the Lotus Sutra?

  He claimed the Lotus Sutra was not too profound for people in the final dharma age
• What did Nichiren argue about Pure Land practitioners' views on the Lotus Sutra?


  He claimed they slandered the Lotus Sutra
• What did Pure Land practitioners maintain about the Lotus Sutra?


  They maintained it was beyond the ability of mappo era dwellers
• How did Nichiren expand the definition of speaking ill of the Lotus Sutra?

  He included not having faith in it
• What was the widespread belief in Japan regarding the mappo era?

  Many believed the mappo era had arrived
• What did Dogen argue against regarding the mappo era?


  He disagreed with the belief that there were dharma ages
• What did Dogen claim about the monks during Shakyamuni Buddha's time?


  They were not necessarily superior to those today
• What did Dogen imply about the Buddha's age compared to the current age?


  He implied that the Buddha’s age was not superior to the current age
• What did Dogen claim about the means of teaching regarding the three dharma ages?


  He claimed they were just a temporary expedient (Upaya)
• What did Nichiren argue about aspiring to a Buddha land?


  He argued it went against the teachings of both Hinayana and Mahayana sutras
• What did Nichiren claim about the nenbutsu in relation to the Lotus Sutra?


  He claimed it was a lesser provisional teaching surpassed by the Lotus Sutra
• What are the Mahayana concepts that serve as the ontological basis for realizing Buddhahood?

  Emptiness and interconnectedness
• What did Nichiren claim about the Pure Land sutras?


  They do not teach the total interconnectedness of the Buddha realm with the nine lower realms
• What did Nichiren argue about the Lotus Sutra's role in attaining Buddhahood?


  He claimed it performed the function of the seed for Buddhahood
• Who introduced Zen Buddhism to Japan?

  Eisai
• Who established Zen Buddhism most significantly in Japan?

  Dogen
• What is the main view of Zen Buddhism regarding Buddha nature?


  We all have a Buddha nature