Nara Period (710-784)

Prince Shotoku (Shotoku Taishi, 573-621)

• first Japanese patron of Buddhism
• built Horyuji, first Buddhist temple in Japan
• "Seventeen Article Constitution" (principles of government, mostly Confucian but some Buddhist)
• commentary on Lotus Sutra

Kegon-shu (sect)

• Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple):   built by Emperor Shomu (r. 724-249), containing Daibutsu (Great Buddha) -- Dainichi Buddha
• center of network of provincial temples

Heian Period (794-1185)

• (Capital at Heian-kyo or Kyoto)

Tendai-shu

• founded in China by Chih-i (538-597), at T'ien-t'ai (mountain) monastery
• brought to Japan by Saicho (767-822), or Dengyo Daishi (Great Teacher who Spread the Teachings)
• Mt. Hiei temple complex (NE suburb of Kyoto):
  • Enryakuji monastery:   the sole official ordination center:
  • Honen, Shinran, Eisai, Dogen, Nichiren all first studied there

Shingon-shu

• Shingon = "True Word" ( < Ch. chen-yen < Skt. mantra)
• brought to Japan by Kukai (774-835), or Kobo Daishi (Great Dharma-Spreading Teacher)
• Mt. Koya monastic complex (3 hours by train south of Kyoto) and Toji (Eastern Temple, Kyoto)
• Esoteric (mikkyo):   Vajrayana rituals and meditation
  • mudra (hand gestures):   body
  • mantra (chanted syllables):   speech
  • mandala (visualized and painted pictures):   mind
  
  -- all used as foci of meditation.
• hongaku:   original enlightenment

From the Dainichi-kyo:

"Enlightenment is to know your own mind as it really is.... Seek in your own mind enlightenment and all-embracing wisdom. Why? Because it is originally pure and bright."  Thus:  "Attain enlightenment in this very body, in this very mind."

From Kukai:

"Where is the Dharmakaya? It is not far away; it is in our body. The source of wisdom? In our mind."

Kamakura Period (1185-1333)

• Kamakura Shogunate:   Military government based in Kamakura (south of present-day Tokyo), with emperor still in Kyoto
• "New schools of Kamakura Buddhism:"   Pure Land, Nichiren, Zen

I.   Pure Land

Sutras

• Larger Sukhvati-vyuha (Muryoju-kyo)
• Smaller Sukhavati-vyuha (Amida-kyo)
• Amitayur-dhyana (Kammuryoju-kyo)

Three Ages of the Law (Dharma)

1. True Law (Shobo)
2. Counterfeit Law (Zobo)
3. Decline of (Degenerate) Law (Mappo)
   • people no longer capable of achieving enlightenment

Jodo-shu (Pure Land Sect)

• founded by Honen (1133-1212)
• nembutsu alone is sufficient to be reborn into Pure Land: "Namu Amida Butsu."
• "Even a bad person will be received in a Buddha's Land; how much more a good person."

Jodo-shinshu (True Pure Land Sect)

• founded by Shinran (1173-1263)
• emphasis on faith and gratitude for Amida's compassion
• "Even a good person will be received in Buddha's Land; how much more a bad person."

II.   Nichiren-shoshu (Orthodox Sect of Nichiren)

• founded by Nichiren Daishonin (Great Holy Sage) (1222-1292)
• Lotus Sutra as object of devotion itself
• Daimoku chant: "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo" ("Adoration to the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law")
• Gohonzon mandala centered on title of Lotus Sutra
• Japan is where true Buddhism will prevail; other forms of Buddhism (even in Japan) are false
• aggressive nationalism and proselytization
• Soka Gakkai ("Value-Creation Society"), founded 1951, split with Nichiren-Shoshu 1991(?)
• Komeito (Clean Government Party)

III.   Zen-shu     (See separate handout)