Buddhism during the Asuka Period (I) Buddhism during the Asuka Period (I) Asuka Period ( ): The inception of Japanese Buddhism: 538, Korean Kingdom of Paekche dispatched a delegation to introduce Buddhism to Japanese emperor 550, the term “Shinto” was introduced to differentiate the native religion from Buddhism and Confucianism 593, Empress Suiko reigned, her nephew Prince Shotoku served as regent and promoted Buddhism; built Shitennoji , built Hokoji (Asukadera)

Buddhism during the Asuka Period (II) 605, Shotoku declared Buddhism and Confucianism the state religions of Japan 607, Shotoku built Horyuji in the in the Asuka valley, 645, Shotoku was succeeded by Kotoku Tenno, who began the Taiga Reform; ten Buddhist masters were appointed to be in charge of Buddhist education 653, Dosho visited China 685, Temmu Tenno ( ) ordered Buddhist shrines be built in “every house” in the province 710, capital was moved from Asuka to Nara; new capital was modeled after China’s capital Chang’an (Xi’an)

Chnese Buddhism during the Asuka Period of Japan Buddhism had been in China nearly 600 years by the time Prince Shotoku made it one of the state religions Buddhism had been in China nearly 600 years by the time Prince Shotoku made it one of the state religions This period is considered the period of its growth and adaptation in the history of Chinese Buddhism This period is considered the period of its growth and adaptation in the history of Chinese Buddhism Growth: Growth: Worked with the ruling authoritiesWorked with the ruling authorities Built temples and monasteriesBuilt temples and monasteries Sculptured images of Buddhas, bodhisattva, and arhatsSculptured images of Buddhas, bodhisattva, and arhats Translated and disseminated Buddhist scripturesTranslated and disseminated Buddhist scriptures

Growth and Adaptation Growth: (con’t) Growth: (con’t) pilgrimagepilgrimage ProselytizingProselytizing Charity workCharity work Classification of the teachingsClassification of the teachings Adaptation: Adaptation: Undertook “matching meanings” in the process of translationUndertook “matching meanings” in the process of translation Correlated and Integrated Buddhist concepts and native Daoist and Confucian viewsCorrelated and Integrated Buddhist concepts and native Daoist and Confucian views Through public debates and discussions Through public debates and discussions Through apologetic literature Through apologetic literature

Major Buddhist Schools Ten Buddhist schools, divided into two categories: Ten Buddhist schools, divided into two categories: Schools of Beings (Youzong)Schools of Beings (Youzong) Jushe (Kosa) --(Hinayana) Jushe (Kosa) --(Hinayana) The Vinaya School, Disciplinary--(Hinanaya) The Vinaya School, Disciplinary--(Hinanaya) Schools of Non-being (Kongzong)Schools of Non-being (Kongzong) Chengshi, Establishment of Truth--(Hinayana) Chengshi, Establishment of Truth--(Hinayana) The Three-Treatise School, Sanlun--(Mahayana) The Three-Treatise School, Sanlun--(Mahayana) The Consciousness-Only School (Weshi)--(Mahayana) The Consciousness-Only School (Weshi)--(Mahayana) The Three-Stage (Sanjie)—(Mahayana) The Three-Stage (Sanjie)—(Mahayana) Tiantai--(Mahayana) Tiantai--(Mahayana) Huayan--(Mahayana) Huayan--(Mahayana) Chan--(Mahayana) Chan--(Mahayana) Pure Land---(Mahayana) Pure Land---(Mahayana)

Major Buddhist Scriptures and Monks (I) Some schools may not have played important roles but the scriptures and masters associated with them remain important Some schools may not have played important roles but the scriptures and masters associated with them remain important The Vinaya in Four Parts (Sifenlü) — Daoxuan ( )The Vinaya in Four Parts (Sifenlü) — Daoxuan ( ) The Heart Sutra (Xijing) — Xuanzang (596 or )The Heart Sutra (Xijing) — Xuanzang (596 or )

Major Buddhist Scriptures and Monks (II) The most important scriptures and influential monks: The most important scriptures and influential monks: The Lotus Sutra — Zhiyi ( ), the founder of the Tiantai SchoolThe Lotus Sutra — Zhiyi ( ), the founder of the Tiantai School The Flower Garland Sutra (Huayan Sutra) — Fazang ( )The Flower Garland Sutra (Huayan Sutra) — Fazang ( ) The Three Pure Land Sutras (The Smaller Sutra on Amitayu, The larger Sutra on Amitayu, The Sutra on Contemplation of Amitayu) — Tanluan ( ), Shandao (d.u.)The Three Pure Land Sutras (The Smaller Sutra on Amitayu, The larger Sutra on Amitayu, The Sutra on Contemplation of Amitayu) — Tanluan ( ), Shandao (d.u.)

Buddhism during the Nara Period (I) Imperial Patronage of Buddhism ( ) Imperial Patronage of Buddhism ( ) 716, Gembo visited China; Gyogi began to build temples and was credited with building 49 temples.716, Gembo visited China; Gyogi began to build temples and was credited with building 49 temples. 741, Shomu Tenno decreed that each province was to build a seven-storied pagoda and make ten copies of the Konkomyo- saishookyo. Also each province was to establish one official temple of twenty priests to be entitled the Konkomyo- shitenno-gokoku no tera, and a temple for ten nuns to be called the Hooke-metsuzai no tera.741, Shomu Tenno decreed that each province was to build a seven-storied pagoda and make ten copies of the Konkomyo- saishookyo. Also each province was to establish one official temple of twenty priests to be entitled the Konkomyo- shitenno-gokoku no tera, and a temple for ten nuns to be called the Hooke-metsuzai no tera. 736, Chinese vinaya master, Daoxuan ( ), arrived in Japan.736, Chinese vinaya master, Daoxuan ( ), arrived in Japan.

Nara Buddhism (II) 743, Shomu Tenno built Todaiji in Nara. The temple is the largest wooden building in the world 743, Shomu Tenno built Todaiji in Nara. The temple is the largest wooden building in the world , six sects of Nara Buddhism were established: Sanron, Jojitsu, Jusha, Hosso, Kegon, and Ritsu , six sects of Nara Buddhism were established: Sanron, Jojitsu, Jusha, Hosso, Kegon, and Ritsu 749, Shomu Tenno visited Todaiji after the casting of the Great Buddha was completed, declaring himself a servant of the Three Treasures 749, Shomu Tenno visited Todaiji after the casting of the Great Buddha was completed, declaring himself a servant of the Three Treasures 753, Tang vinaya master, Jianzhen (Ganjin), arrived in Japan after five unsuccessful attempts 753, Tang vinaya master, Jianzhen (Ganjin), arrived in Japan after five unsuccessful attempts

Nara Buddhism (III) , Ganjin constructed the first kaidan in Japan at Todaiji , Ganjin constructed the first kaidan in Japan at Todaiji. 759, Ganjin built Toshodaiji. 759, Ganjin built Toshodaiji. 788, Saicho founded the monastery of Hieizan (Mt. Hiei) 788, Saicho founded the monastery of Hieizan (Mt. Hiei) 794, Kammu Tenno moved the capital to Heian-kyo (Kyoto) 794, Kammu Tenno moved the capital to Heian-kyo (Kyoto)

Chinese Buddhism during the Nara Japan (I) The Period of Sinification: The Period of Sinification: Continuous growth of Tiantai, Huayan, Chan Buddhism, and The Pure Land faithContinuous growth of Tiantai, Huayan, Chan Buddhism, and The Pure Land faith Writing of new commentaries on scriptures related to these teachings Writing of new commentaries on scriptures related to these teachings Collection of miracle tales related to the efficacy of upholding, chanting, reciting scriptures, or visualizing a specific Buddha or bodhisattva Collection of miracle tales related to the efficacy of upholding, chanting, reciting scriptures, or visualizing a specific Buddha or bodhisattva Further correlation and fusion of Buddhist and native moral codes and causation theoriesFurther correlation and fusion of Buddhist and native moral codes and causation theories Creation of indigenous sutras—apocryphal sutras Creation of indigenous sutras—apocryphal sutras Formation of great “Buddhist mountains” Formation of great “Buddhist mountains”

Chinese Buddhism during the Nara Japan (II) Cataloging scriptures and commentaries Cataloging scriptures and commentaries Imperial Patronage Imperial Patronage Tantric monks Subhakarasimha, Vajrabodhi, and Amoghavajra came to China and were highly respected by Tang emperorsTantric monks Subhakarasimha, Vajrabodhi, and Amoghavajra came to China and were highly respected by Tang emperors Xuanzong decreed that every prefectures should build a Kaiyuan templeXuanzong decreed that every prefectures should build a Kaiyuan temple Imperial promotion of the Bodhisattva Manjusri cult by ordering the building of Manjusri’s image in every temple; Mt. Wutai received imperial supportImperial promotion of the Bodhisattva Manjusri cult by ordering the building of Manjusri’s image in every temple; Mt. Wutai received imperial support Government sponsored the translation of Buddhist scripturesGovernment sponsored the translation of Buddhist scriptures Emperors received and paid homage to Buddha’s finger bone relic at imperial palaceEmperors received and paid homage to Buddha’s finger bone relic at imperial palace