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