The Study of Buddhism in Japan has 3 objectives: 1) To study the history of Buddhism in Japan. 2) To study Buddhist Schools in Japan into 7 items: the structure of the organization, the practical rule, research, education, dissemination, meditation practice, and the impact to the people. 3) To analyze prominent features and current issues of Buddhism in Japan.
The result from this research can be concluded as follows:
1) Buddhism entered into Japan through China and Korea. A book on history of Japan called "Nihon Shoki" recorded the date 13th October B.E. 1095 as the thirteenth year of the reign of Emperor Kimmei the 29th of Japan.
2) All the Buddhist Schools in Japan, in general has the same believe that all human be able to attain the enlightenment or Nivarna by follow the principle of his or her Buddhist Schools. All believe gave the emphasis on the spiritual dimension and faith and also emphasis on self reliance than the external influences and they set the structure and organization rules systematically, and research into the interesting issues, and participating with the people in various methods, the dissemination of Buddhism and emphasis on meditation in the suitable forms to the people and group of people, that enable the Japanese to apply Buddhism in their daily life.
3) The specialty and common issue of Japanese Buddhism are as followed: Hosso School: Nothing else outside spiritual status. All creativities originate from mind. Kegon School: Faith in Buddha power, and easiness in practice. Tendai School: State of Buddha exists in everything. Every human being can become a Buddha. Shingon School: Goodness and evilness belong to oneself. One can attain enlightenment by the perseverance and self not be able to reliance on outside. Zen School: Nothing to reliance on except self reliance. All beings can enlighten into Buddhahood through one’s own insightful practice. Jodo Shin School or True Pure Land is immortal, to attain enlightenment by emphasis praying-‘Namo Amita Buddha’. Nichiren School: The spirit in meditation will circle and attain enlightenment. Yuzu nembutsu School: Every human being has state of Buddha inside. One can have a secure life thanks to the great compassion of Lord Buddha. |