The History of Buddhist Philosophy Buddhism in Japan
KEY TERMS
shinjin
shikan-taza
kÇan
kenshÇ The History of Buddhist Philosophy Buddhism in Japan
The Six Schools of the Nara Period (710-784) 1. The Kusha School (Chinese: Chü-she) Originated from Indian Sarv~stiv~da School (late Therav~da) 2. The JÇjitsu School (Chinese: Ch’en-shih) Originated from Indian Sautr~ntika School (late Therav~da) 3. The Ritsu School (Chinese: Lu) School emphasizing monastic discipline (Vinaya) (Therav~da) 4. The Sanron School (Chinese: San-lun) Originated from Indian Mah~y~na M~dhyamika School 5. The Hosso School (Chinese: Fa-hsiang) Originated from Indian Mah~y~na Yog~c~ra School 6. The Kegon School (Chinese: Hua-yen) Focused on the Avataðsaka Sütras and the interpenetration of all things
The Heian Period (794-1185) 1. The Tendai School (Chinese: T’ien-t’ai) founded by SaichÇ (767-822) provided foundation for development of Zen, Pure Land, and Nichiren schools focused on the Saddharmapuëòaréka Sütra (Lotus Sutra) and doctrine of ekay~na emphasized sutra study, meditation, Tantric practice, chanting and vinaya four meditation practices: 1) 90 day “silent sitting” focusing on a single Buddha or bodhisattva 2) 90 day “walking” meditation where one circumambulates a statue of Amida 3) 30 day practice of “half sitting and half walking” 4) “non-walking and non-sitting” meditation which is observed in daily life 2. The Shingon School (Chinese: Chen-yen) founded by Kãkai (774-835) Esoteric Tantric School. Focused on two tantric texts and mandala meditations The Womb or Matrix Mandala, based on The Mah~vairocana Sütra The Diamond Mandala, based on The Vajraçekhara Sütra
The Kamakura Period (1185-1333) 1. The JÇdo School (Chinese: Ching-t’u) Pure Land Buddhism founded by HÇnen (1133-1212) focused on The Sukhävaté-vyüha Sütra (The Land of Bliss Sutra) emphasized the practice of nembutsu (chanting Namu Amida Butsu) 2. The JÇdo Shinshã School The ‘True Pure Land School’ founded by Shinran (1173-1263) emphasizing the practice of nembutsu and shinjin (“arising of faith”) The History of Buddhist Philosophy Buddhism in Japan
3. Zen (Chinese: Ch’an) The teaching of Bodhidharma and The Platform Sütra founded by Eisai (1141-1215) Rinzai Zen (Chinese: Lin-Chi) founded by Eisai emphasized zazen practice along with kÇan study to achieve satori SÇtÇ Zen founded by DÇgen (1200-1253) emphasized the single practice of shikan-taza (“just sitting”) 4. Nichiren Buddhism founded by Nichiren (1222-1282) emphasized the Lotus Sutra and the chanting of Namu MyÇhÇrengekyÇ
The Muromachi Period (1338-1573) 1. Rennyo (1415-1499) restores JÇdo Shinshã and founds the Hogan-ji sect of JÇdo Shinshã 2. The Ænin War (1467-1478) brought an end to central government and led to warfare between Pure Land and Nichiren Buddhist sects. 3. Warlord Oda Nobunaga burns down all the Tendai temples on Mt. Hiei, attacks the Shingon headquarters on Mt. HÇya, and suppresses the Pure Land and Nichiren armies. Only the Zen schools avoided suppression as they had not formed any armed forces.
The Tokugawa Period (1603-1868) 1. Æbaku Zen School founded combined zazen and kÇan practice with Tantric rituals, nembutsu chanting, and ritual recitation of sutras 2. Basho Matsuo (1644-1694) brings the spirit of Zen to poetry with his haiku 3. Bankei YÇtaku (1622–1693) influential Rinzai master 4. Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769) Rinzai master and celebrated artist systemizes kÇan practice emphasizes the “Great Doubt” and experience of kenshÇ (“insight into one’s True Self”)
The Meiji Period (1868-1912) and recent developments 1. Rinzai intellectuals emphasize connection between Zen and the Way of the Warrior (bushidÇ) to promote Japanese militarism. 2. The KyÇto School develops an East-West dialogue between Japanese Buddhism and Western philosophy Nishida KitarÇ (1870-1949) Tanabe Hajime (1885-1962) Nishitani Keiji (1900-1990) Takeuchi Yoshinori (1913-2002) Abe Masao (1915-2006) taught at the University of Hawaii at Manoa The History of Buddhist Philosophy Buddhism in Japan
QUESTIONS 1. What major innovations in the Japanese Tendai School distinguish it from its Chinese predecessor T’ien-‘t’ai? What is meant by shikan meditation in Tendai Buddhism?
2. What are the distinctive teachings and practices of the Shingon school of Japanese Buddhism?
3. What are the main features of The JÇdo School as developed by HÇnen? What distinguishes the JÇdo Shinshã School founded by Shinran?
4. What are the distinguishing features of the Zen Buddhist tradition established in Japan by Eisai?
5. What innovations did DÇgen bring to Zen Buddhism? What insights into the notion of enlightenment are expressed in DÇgen’s ShÇbÇgenzÇ?
6. What are the principle differences between the Rinzai and SÇto schools of Zen Buddhism?
7. Who was Nichiren and what distinctive teachings characterize Nichiren Buddhism?
8. Who was Hakuin and what did he mean by the “Great Doubt”?
9. How has Zen influenced the traditional arts of Japanese culture?