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Theravada Buddhist studies in Japan

by Keiko Soda | 1993 | 31,102 words

This essay studies the acceptance of Buddhism in Japanese culture and nature, in light of the concept of “Impermanence�. The history of Japanese Buddhism traces its origins from its introduction through Korea, evolving significantly over various periods. Initially propagated by Prince Shotoku during the Nara Period, it saw the emergence of sects li...

5. Muromachi Azuchi Momoyama period (1336-1600)

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28 :- 1.5. MUROMACHI AZUCHI-MOMOYAMA PERIOD (1336-1600) In Muromachi Period, people often suffered from famines. And in Kyoto, they had a severe run of wars. The new schools of Buddhism spread among the people in such a social conditions and they had anitya (All things are impermanent) and a sense of guilt in their religious minds. In Muromachi Period, the Zen culture which was represented by the literature of the five mountains', Kinkaku-ji Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, was open. And in this period architectures, paintings, gardenings and tea ceremony have developed. They are concerned with Buddhism directly and indirectly. 1 In Muromachi Period, the political and economical organizations have changed attaching to the destruction of the land system. Therefore, the Buddhist temples the economy of which was based on land system could not prosper. Thus the big temples were ruined. On the other hand, the new Buddhism which was supported by the peasants and the warriors was developed. They were Ikko-ikki and Hokkeikki which were combined with the peasants and the new religion lately. In Muromachi Period 'it was the Jyodo-shin Sect that was developed so quickly. Its teaching gained momentum by the actuvity of Rennyo. Thus Buddhism reun spread among the people, which meant to combine Buddhism

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23 :We can say and the religious faith of the Japanese people from the ancient times. The Zen Sert of Bihei-ji Temple, as they only confined themeless in meditation (Shikan daza), was ruined. Gikai (1219-1309), one of the nogen's students, gave much importance on the ceremony and accepted the prayer and did not avoid Nenbutsu. So it was combined with the faith of the people and flour; shed. the same thing about on the Jyodo-shin Sect. That is to say, Shinran, the founder, had no thought of the ancestor worship or the memorial service for the ancestors. But they could not avoid to combine the Buddhism with the ancestor worship to spread among the people. And they needed to combine the functions of Shintoism to be the religion of the peasants. It has been typically shown by Rennyo (1415-1499), Hongan-ji-ha of the Jyoco-shin Sect. $ In his period, many Ikko-ikki and Hokie-ikki took place. In the beginning' of Ikko-ikki, Hongan-ji-ha did not join but denied it.' But later it was involved by Ikko ikki. It took place in Settu, Omi and Hokuriku. The warriors became the believers under the control of Hongan-ji-ha and fighted with their opponents. Hokkeikki which ranked with Ikko-ikki took place in Kyoto. lɩ was the religious riot which combined the self-government of the citizens in Kyoto and the faith of the fa-hua-tsung (Hokke-shu). Hokke-ikki which ranked with Ikko-ikki is a very rare example in Buddhism. " 1

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- 30 :In Muromachi Period, the people who supported Japanese literature and culture were the Zen priests of 27 the five temples (Gosan) in Kyoto. The system of the five temples (Gosan) had been settled in Kamakura at first and in Kyoto in later times. The main temple is Nanzen-ji Temple and followed Shokoku-ji Temple, Tenryuji Temple, Kennin-ji Temple, Tofaju-ji Temple and Manjuji Temple. The sect of Lin-chi (Kinzai Zen) was so flourishing against a background of the society of the 28 warrior. The sect of Muso Soseki' (1875-1351) who was trusted by Ashikaga Takauji was active. Soseki was the studert of Ichizen Ichins (1274-1317) who came from Yuan. 29 There were other students like Kohan Shiren (1287-1346) 27. The literature written by the priests of the five head temples of the Rizal Sect in Kyoto during Muromachi Period. 28. He was born in Ise. Minamoto is his family name. At the age of eight, he entered the priesthood. in 1249, he went to kyoto to study and then to Kamakura for further study. He founded many temples. He wrote the Muchu-mondo-shu, Rinsen-kakun, etc. 29. A priest of the Rinzai Sect. Born in Kyoto. At the age of seven, he entered the priesthood. He often preached to Emperor Go-fushimi, and wrote the famous work Genko-shakusho for the Emperor. He wrote many books, such as the Saihoku-shu, Butsugo-shin-ron, etc. }

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*** 31 and Sesson-Shukei (1504-7}. In this period Zyosetu and 30 Sesshu (1420-1506) were famous for painting. Ikkyu (1394-1418) wrote Kyoun-shu 31 Kobori Enshu (1579-1647) is famous for gardening which is based on the Zen philosophy. Tea ceremony was brought to Japan by Eisai of the Lin-chi (Rinzai Zen) Sect and was completed by Sen-no-Rikyi (1522-1591). G 30. A priest of the Rinzai Sect. At the age of eleven, he entered the Hofuku-ji Temple. At the temple, he showed an interest only in painting, and neglected the study of the sutras. In 1460, he journeyed to China to seek painting masters who could give him additional instruction. In 1466, he returned to Japan. His landscapes of mountains and streams are particularly esteemed. He is regarded as one of the most illustrious figures in Japanese painting history. 31. A priest of the Rinzai Sect. He was from the Fujiwara Family. At the age of five, he entered the priesthood. For many years he led a wandering life. In 1474, he became the chief priest of the Daitokuji Temple, by order of the Emperor. He is well known for his unconventional character. His poetry, calligraphy and paintings are known for their unconventional aloofness and detachment. The Kyounshu, a posthumous collection of his poetry, was edited by his eisciples. 1

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I z i } As it is the activity of the Pure Land (Jyodo) t Sect, by Nychu (1199-1987) of the Chanzei Sect, the teaching was put in ordernd it spread over to the rural area. The main temple is Chion-in in Kyoto.

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