The Impacts of Japanese Buddhism

The development and evolution of the different sects of Japanese Buddhism such as Zen Buddhism played an important role in the development of classical Japanese culture throughout the four major periods, which was shown in the way that the Nara period, the Heian era, the Kamakura period, and the Edo period were all shaped by the ascent and decline of different Buddhist sects. It is these transitions that make Japanese history a myriad, but fascinating web of interconnecting events that manages to confuse even the most veteran historians. At first, Buddhism was only a pastime of the elite class of landowners and daimyo that held no special significance to the common peoples. It was mainly another way for the central government to gain power and influence among the many local lords that it had to contend with on a regular basis. Although it is to be noted that most of these new converts to Buddhism did not abandon their earlier religions, but instead blended it together with several aspects of Shintoism, the original indigenous religion of Japan(“Japanese Buddhism”,1). This created several amalgamations of the two religions wherever and whenever they met(“Japanese Buddhism”,1). However, as Buddhism was introduced to the general population through the process of hierarchical diffusion, it quickly branched off and evolved from its original form as different sects that shaped contemporary Japanese culture (Kasahara, 302).

Buddhism was first introduced into Nara Japan through trade with Han China and reportedly, a few ambassadors from the Chinese imperial court appeared at the emperor’s palace one day bearing the finger bone of Buddha, among other gifts, to present as a gesture of goodwill in order to be allowed to spread their religio...

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...ost totalitarian discipline of the Mahayana school of Buddhism, and the spontaneity of the Tao. It also combines in elements of neo-confucianism that serve to make the school altogether more rigid and unyielding in its ways (“Zen”,1). This was probably why the military liked it so much, for it was simple, yet highly disciplined, making it impossible to confuse or reject its demands. Because of this, Japanese society became slightly more ordered and rigid, especially with regards to the Samurai class which totally embraced the philosophies of Zen Buddhism. In fact, this caused some conflict between the peasants and the Samurai class because, as the peasants believed that the Samurai were being unjust in forcing them to follow such strict rules and guidelines, there were several riots that erupted throughout the more rural provinces of Japan (“Japanese Buddhism”,1).