DEVELOPMENT OF DIFFERENT FORMS OF

BUDDHISM IN JAPAN
By: Willow Bolton, Aaron Briseno, Nikki Chandakham, Aram Poladyan, Coco Rodriguez, Jesus
Vazquez

Topic 4
 INTRODUCTION
Buddhism was spread throughout Japan after many influences came from Korea in 550,
When Prince Shotoku popularized it. Many forms were later discovered, such as Zen,
Mahayana, and Theravada Buddhism.
 HOW DID BUDDHISM GET TO JAPAN?
● Buddhism arrived in Japan in 552 CE (Sixth century)
● Buddhism was brought to Japan by Chinese and Korean missionaries
● These Missionaries brought both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism rituals and texts
● Buddhism originated in 500 BCE from India and spread across Asia within 1,000 years
● Buddhism was introduced to Japan last, but it spread fast due to Prince Shotoku Taishi
embracing the religion
 ZEN BUDDHISM
Zen is the Japanese development of the school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China as Chan
Buddhism. Chan and Zen, which means “meditation,” emphasizes individual meditative practice to achieve
self-realization , and, thereby, enlightenment. Rather than rely on powerful deities, Zen stresses the importance
of the role of a teacher, with whom a disciple has a heart-mind connection. While Zen was first introduced into
Japan several centuries earlier, it did not become firmly established until the thirteenth century, when the
warrior class began to favor this school of thought.
● Enlightenment means great spiritual knowledge and insight.
● Students of Zen do not seek to change the world in any meaningful fashion. Instead, they seek to use their
gradual enlightenment to understand the world as it is.
● According to Zen Buddhist beliefs, achieving such a complete knowledge of the self requires extensive
meditation and a strict adherence to a Zen lifestyle.
 ZEN BUDDHISM POEM
Zen is the practice of meditation

It helps people relax with no hesitation.

Zen introduced many descriptive painting and poem styles

The practice had traveled across Asia for miles.

It arrived in the sixth century around 538 or 552

the Koreans and the Chinese had to pass through the ocean, royal blue,

To get to Japan, covered in bamboo.

Many people follow Zen today,

Zen Buddhism is alive and here to stay.

 WHAT’S UP WITH MAHAYANA BUDDHISM?
● Mahayana Buddhism came into Japan from Korea in the 6th century
● The term mahayana in Sanskrit means the great vehicle to enlightenment
● Developed in Northern India and central Asia
● Mahayana believed there was more than one Buddha
● Two ways of Mahayana sravaka moraga (“way of discipline”) and bodhisattva
moraga (“ way of bodhisattvas”)
● Bodhisattvas, can reach nirvana, but stop to helps others
● Brahmajala sutra is a Mahayana buddhist vinaya sutra,(discipline text) for japanese
monks.
● Accepted emptiness in things around them.
MAHAYANA BUDDHISM HAIKU

Way of Discipline
Vehicle to enlighten
Achieve Nirvana
 THERAVADA BUDDHISM: WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
● Education comes first in Theravada Buddhism
● Theravada Buddhism began during the early of Buddhist times.
● During the third century BCE, Emperor Ashoka of India was a “Great assembly”, he showed people
“ The way of the elders”, that is taught in Theravada Buddhism
● Theravada became so popular that it ended up in “ Greater India” and Thailand by the 11th century.
● Theravada Buddhism has Monks that represent the ideal of non attachment to Worldly affairs and
relations
● Theravada Buddhism is the earliest form of the three main types of buddhism in Japan listed
● Theravada Buddhism is a more conservative type of Buddhism unlike Mahayana Buddhism
THERAVADA BUDDHISM HAIKU

Began quite early

Attached to worldly affairs?
Monks show not to be
CONCLUSION
Buddhism impacted the Japanese culture and everyday life bringing many styles and beliefs to
enhance their culture. Buddhism reached Japan last, but stayed as one of the main religions followed
by the people. There were three main types, Zen, Mahayana, and Theravada Buddhism. These forms
are still followed by many countries across the world and continue to spread.
Works cited
Schumacher, Mark. "Early Japanese Buddhism." World Religions: Belief, Culture, and Controversy, ABC-CLIO, 2018,
religion.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1939666. Accessed 22 Feb. 2018.

JONES, C. B. "Mahayana." New Catholic Encyclopedia, 2nd ed., vol. 9, Gale, 2003, pp. 46-48. World History in Context,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3407707018/WHIC?u=fres90803&xid=5beee9a4. Accessed 23 Feb. 2018.

Baumann, Martin. "Introduction to Theravada." World Religions: Belief, Culture, and Controversy, ABC-CLIO, 2018,
religion.abc-clio.com/Topics/Display/1577441?cid=41&sid=1577441. Accessed 23 Feb. 2018.

History book

Hajime, Nakamura. "Buddhism, Schools of: Mahayana Buddhism." World Religions, Macmillan Library Reference USA, 1987. Macmillan
Compendium. World History in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/BT2350085073/WHIC?u=fres90803&xid=7607df4e. Accessed 23 Feb.
2018.