Buddhism in Japan from Prehistoric to Kamakura Period

Buddhism in lacquer might have been brought by early merchants traveling the Silk Road from India, to China, to Korea and to lacquer. Because of the immutable interaction between these countries, many Buddhist teachings and practices, particularly the Mahayana Buddhism, together with roughly Chinese heathen traditions became integrated with Japans own cultural development.At first, conflicts with Shinto tactual sensation caused delay in the spread of the Buddhist religion. antediluvian patriarch Japanese people regarded Buddha as one of the kamis yet many were attracted to the cup of tea of its arts and the promises of concrete benefits such as wealth and longevity. As time went on, more and more people recognized that Buddhism has its own belief that was thought to be complementary with the existing Shinto religion, Japans native religion.During the Nara period, some Buddhist monasteries built around the capital Nara gained politicsal influence in the ruling government. Be cause of this ambitious and militant movement of monasteries, the government was forced to move the capital from Nara to Nagaoka (784AD) and then to Kyoto (794AD). This issue remained a problem for many centuries in the Japanese history. During the Heian Period (794-1185), many religious sects were grabbing popular help over the Japanese population.These sects presented Buddhism in a way that best fit the ancient Japanese culture and tradition as seen from these three sects Shingon sect (774-835AD) by Kukai True Pure Land Sect (1173-1262) by Shinran and, white lotus Hokke or Nichiren Sect (1222-1282) founded by Nichiren. The acceptance of Buddhism can be attributed from the plant of these sects, which still have millions of followers as of today. In conclusion, Buddhism in Japan became popular since its core practices and teachings were complementary with Shinto religion as shown by popular Buddhist sects named above.References (Buddhism in Japan , Japanese Buddhism, 2004 , A realize on Buddhism storey of Japanese Buddhism) Buddhism in Japan. (n. d. ). Retrieved April 6, 2007, from http//afe. easia. columbia. edu/japan/japanworkbook/religion/jbuddhis. hypertext mark-up language Japanese Buddhism. (2004). Retrieved April 6, 2007, from http//www. japan-guide. com/e/e2055. html A View on Buddhism History of Japanese Buddhism. (November 30, 2006). Retrieved April 6, 2007, from http//buddhism. kalachakranet. org/history_japanese_buddhism. html