Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini, Nepal about 446 BC. Buddhism evolved in resistance to highly ritualized religions of the era, to point to a "true eternal law" or dharma, which would be valid for humanity for all ages. This transcendent teaching spread after the third century BC over India and itself developed in several tracks, or schools. Missionaries east through Asia spread Buddhism through China and Southeast Asia, and later, north to Tibet. In this spread, Buddhism took different forms. It arrived in Japan in about 550 AD, when a Korean mission brought images and sutras to the Emperor.
In the Nara Period (710-794) Buddhism became the state religion, and many monasteries and temples were built. As on the Asian mainland, Buddhism developed in different schools within Japan, some inherited from the mainland, some created new in Japan. Some like the Tendai and Shingon sects, which were introduced in the Heian Period (794-1185), appealed to the elite through their highly developed philosophies and rituals. Others, like the Nichiren sect (13th century) simplified text and practice, and appealed to lower class followers. Zen, from a Chinese school, arrived in Japan in the 7th century, and became more esoteric and ascetic, while much later, the so-called "new religions" were organized and propagated for popular, cult-like, followers.
Japanese Buddhism, as distinct from Asian mainland Buddhism, tends to emphasize human society and institutions, rather than the afterlife and supernatural. It is also intuitive and emotional, rather than rational. There is felt no contradiction in using both Shinto and Buddhist practices and it is very likely that a person today would have a Shinto wedding and a Buddhist funeral. In general, Shinto ceremonies are for the life course, Buddhist for the after life.
Statistically, about 80% of Japanese say they are Buddhist.
BUDDHAÕS BIRTHDAY
On April 18, BuddhaÕs Birthday, there is a celebration where people dress in kimonos and go to the Buddhist temple to pray.
