Dr.

Tony Chui
1
CPD 4.12, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus
3917-7204

tonychui@hku.hk
§ At the end of this course:
§ 1) describe the characteristics of Japanese Buddhism;

§ 2) recognize its unique development along Japanese history;

§ 3) appreciate different cultural activities derived from
Buddhism; &
§ 4) realize the extent of Japanese Buddhism’s influence
across the globe.

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§ Fascinating, complex and multifaceted!
§ Influenced by various religious traditions:
§ Shinto
§ Buddhism
§ Folk religion
§ Christianity
§ Other religions...

§ Buddhism shapes Japanese culture,

ideology, politics, and other thoughts.
§ Buddhism got shaped in the Japanese form.
§ Buddhism underwent significant
transformation and adaptation within the
cultural context of Japan, resulting in the
development of a distinct form of the religion
known as Japanese Buddhism.

3
§ Look very different! Japan

§ Introduced to
Japan ~1000 years
after the Buddha’s
demise.
§ Undergone many
changes before
entering Japan (in
China).
§ Adaptation in
Japan.

Mahabodhi
Temple, Bodh 4
Gaya
 古墳時代
§ On reaching Japan during the Kofun period:
§ Introducing new ideas to the Japanese:
§ Religious doctrine
§ Philosophical thoughts
§ Arts, music, statue, incense
§ Social morals
§ Organizational system
§ Ceremonial, magical-rituals

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most famous zen garden in japan

6
合⼀

觀⾳

7
§ Please go to:

§ www.menti.com

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§ A unique tradition.
§ A unique form of Buddhism. 淨⼟ 真宗
§ Many different schools, Pure Land, Zen, Shingon,
Tendai, Nichiren...
§ Majority of the modern Japanese population
would not consider themselves as particularly
religious.
§ Daily activities and special occasions have clear
roots in both Buddhism and Shinto.
§ Shintoism 70.4%, Buddhism 69.8%,
Christianity 1.5%, other 6.9% (2015 est. CIA
The World Factbook)
§ In Japan, people often do not adhere to a single
religion.
§ 3 topics the Japanese people tend to avoid
during their conversations. :
§ Politics, religion, and salary.
§ Respecting others and to avoid conflicts.
§ Wa, kei, sei, jaku (harmony, respect, purity, and
tranquility). 9
 神社
§ Buddhist and Shinto shrines co-exist.
§ Household shrines
§ Shinto shrine (kami dana 神棚)
§ Buddhist Shrine (butsu dan 仏壇)
§ 仏 (hotoke/ butsu: Buddha) 糾纏
§ Shinto and Buddhism are entangled
and shaped the Japanese culture.
§ Most often Shinto and Buddhism are
practice together.
§ Historically “not much difference” until
the Meiji restoration (1868).

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 § “Born Shinto, married Christian,
die Buddhist.”
§ Miyamairi (宮参り, “shrine visit”).
神道儀式
§ Shinto rite for new-borns.
for blessing
§ Marriage: Church and Shinto
Shrine.
§ Death: Buddhist funeral rite.
§ Pure Land Buddhism
§ Amida Pure Land after death.
§ Buddhist Cemetery.
§ The deceased often receives a
vy exp!
few thousand dollars Buddhist name (戒名, kaimyō) from a
priest after their death.

11
§ Celebrating New Year in Japanese
Buddhism
§ New year’s eve Ōmisoka (大晦日)
§ Bell struck 108 times
§ 108 earthly temptations

§ O-bon (お盆) : Honoring the

Ancestors (Ullambana 盂蘭盆).
§ The Daruma, a Buddhist good luck
達摩
charm.
§ Goma ritual to dispel adversity.
胡麻

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§ The concept of wabi-sabi (侘寂).
§ Wabi
§ Satisfaction with simplicity and
austerity.
§ Sabi
§ Appreciation of the imperfect.

§ Not only in Japan and east Asia, but

also globally.

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§ Calligraphy
§ Paintings

§ Ceramics
§ Kintsugi

§ Noh

§ Bonsai
§ Ikebana

§ Poems
§ Haiku

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§ Kaiseki (懐石) cuisine
§ Shōjin (精進) cuisine

§ Tea-drinking culture
§ Tea ceremony
§ Cha no yu (茶の湯)

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Lecture Date Topic

1 Sep 7 The beginnings of Japanese Buddhism

2 Sep 14 The early acceptance and development

3 Sep 21 Nara Buddhism

4 Sep 28 Heian Buddhism

5 Oct 5 Kamakura Buddhism

6 Oct 12 Buddhism during the age of the samurai (Muromachi period)

7 Oct 21 Buddhism during the age of the samurai (Azuchi-Momoyama period)

8 Nov 2 Buddhism during the age of the samurai (Edo period)

9 Nov 9 Zen, Shingon, and Pure Land teachings

10 Nov 16 Subjugation of Buddhism and New Movements

11 Nov 23 Buddhism in modern era: Buddhist missionary work within and

outside of Japan
12 Nov 30 Buddhist impact on contemporary Japan

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§ 100 % coursework with the following breakdowns:
1.Presentation (5 minutes recorded video due Oct 20) – 25 %

2.Proposal for Research Project (300 words Nov 9) – 20 %

3.Research Project (Essay 2000 words Dec 8) – 45 %

4.Participation – 10 %

§ Via Attendance@HKU Apps

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Ÿ Outline the introduction of Buddhism in Ÿ Describe the influence of Buddhism in
Japan. Japanese arts.
Ÿ Identify the role of Prince Shotoku in the Ÿ Analyze Buddhist’s influence on Japanese
development of Buddhism in Japan. cuisine/ tea-drinking culture.
Ÿ Evaluate the Chinese impact on the Ÿ Evaluate the importance of sitting
propagation Buddhism in Japan. meditation in Zen Buddhism.
Ÿ Outline the main teachings of the Six Ÿ Explore the esoteric practice of Shingon
Schools in Nara Buddhism. Buddhism.
Ÿ Compare and contrast Buddhism and Ÿ Demonstrate the role of nenbutsu
Shintoism. (chanting the Buddha’s name) in Pure
Land practice.
Ÿ Compare Tendai and Shingon schools
during the Heian period. Ÿ Discuss the impact of Meiji restoration on
Buddhism.
Ÿ Discuss the concept of Japanese aesthetics
of wabi-sabi in relationship to Buddhism. Ÿ Discuss the revival of Buddhism in
modern Japan.
Ÿ Discuss the impact of Kamakura period on
modern Japanese Buddhism. Ÿ Examine the aesthetical value of Zen
Buddhism in product / industrial design.
Ÿ Discuss the shinbutsu-shugo (syncretism
of kami and buddhas) of Buddhism and Ÿ Evaluate the impact of Japanese Buddhism
Shinto. across the globe.

Please note that apart from the listed topics, students are free to modify or choose any other topic
related to the course. If you have any doubt, please feel free to contact the course instructor.

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§ On Moodle.
§ ReadingList@HKUL

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§ Outstanding (A+) – shows substantial critical / research/
reflective elements, novelty, correct understanding and
historicity.
§ Excellent (A,A-)– shows some research elements, originality,
correct understanding and historicity.
§ Good (B range) – correct understanding of what is mentioned
in the lecture.
§ Satisfactory (C, D) – try your best to hand in something...
§ Please submit on time.
§ No plagiarism.
§ Turnitin <30%
§ Cite everything properly.
§ Paraphrase (e.g. from previous years essays).

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21
• Prehistoric and ancient periods
• Paleolithic period (石器時代 c. -14000 BCE)
of Buddhism
• Jōmon period (縄文時代 c. 14000 BCE – 900 BCE)
• Yayoi period (弥生時代 c 900 BCE- 250 CE) (Gautama Buddha ~500 BCE)
• Kofun period (古墳時代 c. 250–538) Introduction
• Classical periods
• Asuka period (飛鳥時代, 538–710)
• Nara period (奈良時代, 710–794) Propagation
• Heian period (平安時代, 794–1185)

• Feudal periods
• Kamakura period (鎌倉時代, 1185–1333)
• Muromachi period (室町時代, 1333–1568)
• Azuchi–Momoyama period (安土桃山時代, 1568–1600)
Domination
• Early modern periods
• Edo period (江戸時代, 1600–1868)

• Modern periods
• Meiji period (明治時代, 1868–1912) Rejection
• Taishō period (大正時代, 1912–1926)
• Shōwa period (昭和時代, 1926–1989)
• Heisei period (平成時代, 1989–2019) Revival
• Reiwa period (令和時代, 2019–present)

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§ The Kojiki (古事記)
§ “Records of Ancient Matters”.
§ “Oldest” chronicle of myths, legends,
semi-historical accounts of Japan.
§ Up to 641 CE.

§ The Nihon Shoki (⽇本書紀).

§ “The Chronicles of Japan”.
§ “Second-oldest” book of Japanese
history.
§ Up to 720 CE.

§ Commissioned by Emperor Tenmu

(天武天皇 40th emp. 631- 686).
§ Completed in the mid-700s.

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§ According to the Kojiki (古事記) and the Nihon Shoki (日本書紀).
§ Izanagi 伊邪那岐
§ Brother/ husband.

§ Izanami 伊邪那美
§ Sister/ wife.

§ Kami (神)- Divine beings

§ Creator deity.

§ In ancient times, the world was believed to be covered with

water.
§ Izanagi and Izanami thrust their spear (ame no nuhoko 天沼
矛) into the water and stirred it vigorously.
§ When they lifted the spear, some mud dripped back into the
water and formed an island.
§ Onogoroshima (淤能碁呂島).

§ They descended upon the island and began to reside there.

§ They married and gave birth to other islands that make up
Japan.
§ And later gave birth the other kami representing...
mountains, rivers, sun, moon, wind...
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 major daughter

§ Amaterasu-Ōmikami (天照大御神, 天照
大神).
§ One of the major deities (kami) of
Shinto.
§ Sun goddess.
§ The Ise Grand Shrine (伊勢神宮, Ise
Jingū).
§ Daughter of Izanagi.
§ Born from his left eye.
§ The mythical ancestress of the
Japanese imperial house.
§ Amaterasu → Ninigi no Mikoto (瓊瓊杵
尊)→ Emperor Jimmu 神武天皇 1st
emperor of Japan.

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§ Emperor Jimmu (神武天皇, Jinmu-
tennō) was the first legendary
Emperor of Japan.
§ His accession was traditionally dated
as 660 BCE.
§ National Foundation Day 11 February
660 BCE.

§ Foundation of the Japanese nation.

§ Proto-Shinto (Ko-Shintō 古神道).
§ Yatagarasu, the three-legged crow.
§ Great grand son of Ninigi no Mikoto.

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§ The Three Sacred Treasures (三種の神器,
Sanshu no Jingi)
§ Brought by Ninigi from heaven.

§ Imperial Regalia of Japan

§ the sword (Kusanagi no Tsurugi 草薙劍),
§ the mirror (Yata no Kagami 八咫鏡), and
§ the jewel (Yasakani no Magatama 八尺瓊勾玉).

§ Representing the three primary virtues:

valour, wisdom, and benevolence.
§ Legitimacy: direct lineage from the divine.
§ Imperial House of Japan (皇室, kōshitsu).

§ Amateresu →Ninigi→ Emperor Jimmu 1st

§ Emperor Naruhito 德仁天皇126th (Reiwa era
令和).

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§ Xu Fu (Jofuku, 徐福 255-155BCE?)
§ Ordered by Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇,
259-210 BCE )to the eastern seas twice
to look for the elixir of life.
§ But never returned.
§ Xu Fu brought farming techniques,
new plants and knowledge to ancient
Japanese people.
§ The Japanese historian Ino Okifu
identifies Emperor Jimmu with Xu Fu.
§ The Yayoi period started around the time
of his supposed arrival.
§ Debate/ myth/ controversy.
§ Jofuku Park in Shingu, Wakayama
Prefecture is dedicated to him.

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§ Kojiki
§ Nihon Shoki

§ Composed in 7-8th? Century.

§ Legitimizing the divine origin of the
emperor?
§ Promoted in the Edo / Meiji era?
§ Political reasons?

§ Promoting State Shinto?

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§ Stone-age (旧石器時代, kyūsekki jidai)
§ The discovery of unique edge-ground
axes in Japan dated to over 30,000
years ago may be evidence of the first
Homo sapiens in Japan.
§ Evidence of human has been dated to
32,000 years ago in Okinawa's
Yamashita Cave.
§ Yamashita Cave People (山下洞人,
Yamashita Dōjin)
§ Dated to 20,000 years ago on Ishigaki
Island's Shiraho Saonetabaru Cave.

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§ Jōmon period (14,000-1000 (/300) ? BCE, 縄文
時代)
§ Emergence of pottery.
§ “Cord-pattern” on pottery.
§ Jōmon culture

§ hunting, fishing, gathering culture.

§ Spiritual culture.
§ dogū (土偶)
§ purpose of the dogū remains unknown.
§ acted as effigies of people, that manifested some
kind of sympathetic magic.
§ illnesses could be transferred into the dogū, which
were then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any
other misfortune.
§ Buddhism has not reached Japan yet.
§ Proto-Shintoism? (unlikely).
§ Very little is known.
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§ Jōmon Venus (縄文のビーナス, Jōmon no
Bīnasu h:27 cm).
§ Heart-shaped dogū (ハート形土偶, Hāto
katachi dogū h: 30 cm).
§ Goggle-eyed dogū (遮光器土偶, Shakōki dogū
h:31 cm).
§ Anime, manga.

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§ Yayoi Phase, Yayoi Jidai...
§ location in Tokyo where the pottery is found.

§ Roughly the Han dynasty (300 BCE–300 CE)

§ Chinese Civilization, technologies and philosophy in
contact.
§ Bronze and copperware.
§ Wei Zhi 魏志 “Records of Wei” 297 CE
§ Wa 倭, ruled by shaman queen Himiko (卑弥呼). (Kojiki
written in the 8th cent)
§ Agricultural phase.
§ Rice.
§ an influx of farmers (Yayoi People) from the Korean
Peninsula
§ Competed and/or mixed with the native Jōmon People.
§ Significant increase in population.

§ Buddhism at that time has reached the Han dynasty.

§ Possibility of reaching Japan during this period?
§ No official record.
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§ Modern Japanese people have
primarily Yayoi ancestry (about
90% on average, the remaining
deriving from the Jōmon).
§ Jōmon culture which had existed
in ancient Japan for over 6,000
years suddenly disappeared
around 300 BCE.
§ Sinodonty and Sundadonty.

Jōmon Yayoi 34
§ Kofun 古墳 period (300 – 538 CE).
§ "ancient grave” tombs.
§ keyhole-shaped mounds (zempō-
kōen fun (前方後円墳), which are
unique to ancient Japan.
§ Daisenryo Kofun (大仙陵古墳), Sakai
(堺市), Osaka.
§ Haniwa (埴輪).
§ Developed from a farming society to
a well structured social system.
§ Ruled by the Yamato Court (Yamato
period).
§ Powerful clans.
§ Ōtomo, Mononobe, Nakatomi, Inbe,
Soga clans...
§ Tombs to show off their power.

35
§ Buddhism entered Japan at the end
of the Kofun period (~400 to 538 CE)
and spread rapidly.
§ Imported from Paekche (Baekje 百済),
§ The Three Kingdoms Period in Korea.
§ Chinese culture (writing system).
§ Buddhism (Scriptures and statue from
the Paekche king).
§ Buddhist scriptures and statues were
considered to possess magical power.

§ Conflict: Indigenous vs Foreign

religions.
§ Shinto (proto-Shinto) vs Buddhism.

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Kudara Kannon (百済観音) Hōryū-ji (法隆寺)
§ Yamato court (ruler), descendant from
Emperor Jimmu.
§ Confederation of many clans...
§ Aristocratic kin group (uji)
§ Conservatives
§ Mononobe clan (物部氏, Mononobe uji)
§ Handled weapons for the Yamato court
(warriors).
§ Nakatomi clan (中臣氏, Nakatomi uji)
§ Handled rituals for kami worship
(priest).
§ Ancestors of the Fujiwara clan (藤原氏,
Fujiwara uji)

§ Soga clan (蘇我氏, Soga uji) (recently

in power, newcomers).

37
§ Mononobe and Nakatomi clans opposed to
Buddhism.
§ Kami will be offended with new religion.
§ Politically, they were well established with
authority:
§ Kami rituals.
§ Kami lineage.
§ Nigihayahi-no-mikoto (饒速日命)
§ Ama-no-Koyane-no-mikoto (天児屋命)
§ Conservatism- they did not want to change.
§ Pro-Shinto / Anti-Buddhist.

§ Soga clan.
§ New, establishing power.
§ Nobles, no kami linage.
§ Promote Buddhism.
§ Just establishing “authority”.
§ Pro-Buddhist.

§ Debate, conflict, war...

§ Soga–Mononobe conflict (丁未の乱, Teibi no
ran, 587CE)
38
§ Soga clan won.
§ Mononobe clan got wiped out.

§ Buddhism flourished.
§ Became the “state religion”.

§ But Shinto was not supressed.

§ Yamato emperor was Shinto.
§ Some other clans were pro-Shinto.
§ Soga clan gained power.

§ Stabilized the society, worked out some solutions

of the coexistence of Buddhism and Shinto.
§ Prince Shōtoku, “father of Japanese Buddhism”.

§ Coexistence until the Meiji restoration (~1868).

§ Prince Shōtoku’s policy has tremendous impact
on Japanese culture.
§ Next lecture on Asuka period.

39
§ Co-existed.
§ Shinbutsu-shūgō (神仏習合, “syncretism of
kami and Buddhas”).
§ Kami are interpreted as manifestation of
buddhas and bodhisattvas.
§ Honji suijaku (本地垂迹).
§ E.g. Amaterasu is an emanation of Buddha
Vairocana (Dainichi Nyorai 大日如来).
§ Indian Buddhist deities appear as native kami
to more easily convert and save the Japanese.
§ Kami could even inhabit the statue of a
Buddhist deity.
§ Many Buddhist temples were built next to
existing Shinto shrines in mixed complexes
called jingū-ji (神宮寺 “Shrine-temple”).

40
§ Separation happened after the Meiji
restoration (1868).
§ Shinbutsu bunri (神仏分離)
“separation of kami and Buddhas”).

X
§ Nowadays Shinto and Buddhism are
practiced as different religions.

41
§ 神道 (神の道, kami-no-michi) the
way of the gods.
§ Japan's indigenous religion.
§ Nature religion.
§ Polytheistic.
§ kami (神)
§ gods, spirits...
§ inhabit all things (animistic/
pantheistic).
§ diversity exists among
practitioners.
§ Many dominations.

42
§ Gods, deity, spirits, supernatural
being... many interpretation
§ Force of nature.
§ 8 millions (ya o yorozu no kami 八
百万の神)
§ Rivers, trees, waterfalls, mountain,
animal, people... shintai (神体,
"body of the kami") inhabit.
§ Konohanasakuya-hime (木花咲耶姫):
goddess of Mount Fuji
§ Inhabit: yorishiro (依り代)
occupying a physical space.
§ shimenawa (標縄/'enclosing rope'),
shide (紙垂).

Yokozuna 横綱
Hakuhō Shō 白鵬 翔 43
§ Torii (鳥居)
§ At the entrance of or within the
shrine.
§ Meiji Shrine (明治神宮).
§ Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大
社).
§ Kyoto.

§ Transition from the mundane

world to the sacred space.
§ Indian/ Buddhist origin?

44
§ Shinto shrine (神社, jinja)
§ Enshrine 1 or more kami.
§ Safekeeping of sacred objects.

§ Chōzu-ya (手水舎)
§ Meiji Jingu (明治神宮)
§ Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺)

45
§ Two-bow, two-clap, and one
bow.
§ Ni rei ni hakushu ichi re 二礼二拍
手一礼
§ Toss your coin in the offering
box. (5 yen, 五円 go en 御縁)
§ Good connection, good karma...

§ Bow deeply twice.

§ After bowing, clap your hands
twice.
§ Pray quietly.
§ Bow deeply one more time.

46
§ Buddhism in Japan takes up many
forms / traditions.
§ Zen 禅宗
§ Jōdo / Pure Land 浄土宗
§ Shingon 真言宗
§ Tendai 天台宗
§ Kegon 華厳宗
§ Nichiren日蓮宗...
§ Each historical period was
dominated by a tradition.
§ Integrated into daily lives of the
people.
§ Even up to nowadays.

47
§ Focus on meditation.
§ The present moment.

§ Satori (悟り)
§ Influenced a substantial part of
Japanese culture.
§ Japanese aesthetics, arts,
architecture, design...
§ Worldwide phenomenon.
§ BSTC2003 Zen Aesthetics.

48
§ After life (death).
§ Amitabha’s Pure Land.

§ Recitation of Buddha’s Amida’s

name.
§ No need to study sophisticated
teaching, meditation, or complex
rituals.
§ Self vs other efforts.
§ jiriki (自力) vs tariki (他力).

§ Easiest method.

49
§ Very important sect,
as esoteric Buddhism
in China has faded
away.
§ Rituals.

§ Talismans.
§ Daikokuten (大黒天),
§ Prosperity and wealth.
§ In shops.

50
§ Lecture 2
§ The early acceptance and development

§ Asuka period (飛鳥時代)

§ Buddhism took root in Japan.

§ Prince Shōtoku.

§ The “first” Buddhist temple.

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