Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: buddhism

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Nyorai

如来
keywords: buddhism , god
related topics: Kannon , Buddhism
explanation: One of epithets of Buddha. The translation of the Sanskrit word "tathagata" and means "those who came from the truth". For example, Shaka Nyorai (the historical Buddha Sakyamuni) has returned back to the earth to save the people after having reached the truth. Yakushi Nyorai, a god of healing, is another example.

Oni

鬼
alternative words: Demon, Fiend
keywords: buddhism , mystery , religion
related topics: Buddhism , Onmyodo , Nara period , Heian period , Setsubun
related web sites: http://www.geocities.co.jp/SilkRoad-Desert/7644/ , http://www.people.or.jp/~yoshiyasu/index.htm , http://www.waw.ne.jp/youkai/9802/trad.DBindex.html , http://www.park.org:8888/Japan/CSK/hyakki/
explanation: Initially it designated spiritual and neutral beings like gods or death's souls. Under the influence of Buddhism in Nara period, it became awful creatures who fill the hell, then everything of demoniac and harmful even in the current world. Finally when the society became unsecured at the end of Heian period, it designated brigands or bandits. Oni is frequently represented with 2 horns and tiger's fur because Oni's gate should be bull-tiger direction (ushi-tora), i.e. north-east according to Onmyodo.

Rennyo

蓮如蓮如上人
alternative words: Saint Rennyo, St Rennyo
keywords: buddhism , famous person , priest
related topics: Muromachi period , Kamakura period , Jodo shin sect , Buddhism
related web sites: http://rennyo.tomato.nu , http://www.hongwanji.or.jp , http://www.kyohaku.go.jp/tokuten/rennyo/ren1j.htm
explanation: Priest of Muromachi period. When he was born in 1415, Jodoshinshu sect, founded by his ancestor, Shinran during Kamakura period, being declined, he strove to restore its ancient power in Shiga prefecture. Unhappy with his activity, Enryakuji temple chased him to Fukui prefecture at Yoshizaki. There, his sect became very popular because he taught the doctrine by using "Gobunsho" written in plain words. He restored then Honganji at Yamashina in Kyoto. He died in 1499.

Rinzai sect

臨済宗
alternative words: Rinzaishu sect, Rinzaishu, Rinzai-shu, Rinzai shu
keywords: buddhism , china , sect
related topics: Myoan Yosai , Buddhism , Zen , Tendai sect , Shingon sect , Kamakura period , Muromachi period
related web sites: http://www.iijnet.or.jp/iriz/irizhtml/indexj.htm , http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~yo-san/
explanation: One of the 5 major Zen sects in China. It was implemented in Japan by Yosai in 1191 when he built the first Zen temple, Seifukuji, in Fukuoka. Contrary to Soto sect of Dogen, it has remained reconciling with other sects such as Tendai and Shingon. It give the importance to "Koan" (questionnaires to mediate) and fast enlightening. The monastery's network of Gozan (5 main monasteries) held up by shoguns had been prosperous during Kamakura and Muromachi periods.

Saicho

最澄
alternative words: Saichou
keywords: buddhism , china , famous person , priest
related topics: Tendai sect , Heian period , Buddhism , Esoteric Buddhism , Kukai
related web sites: http://www.hieizan.or.jp
explanation: Born in 767 in Shiga prefecture. He studied Buddhism from the age 12 in different temples in Kinki region. In 804, he went to China with Kukai to study a new Buddhism trend and was authorized to found Tendai sect. He didn't hesitate to learn from Shingon sect of Kukai and severely criticize traditional Buddhism. During his life, his doctrine had not become popular but most of the new Buddhism sects of Kamakura period originated from his sect. He died in 822.

Shingon sect

真言宗
alternative words: Shingonshu sect, Shingonshu, Shingon-shu, Shingon shu, Shingon
keywords: buddhism , china , sect
related topics: Kukai , Buddhism , Esoteric Buddhism , Heian period , Kamakura period , Tendai sect
related web sites: http://www.shingon.or.jp
explanation: One of the esoteric Buddhism sects brought from China by Kukai in 806. He made it independent by founding Kongobuji temple in 816 at Mt Koya in Wakayama prefecture. As Tendai sect, it had been popular among Heian nobility but its influence declined after an emergence of new Buddhism orders in Kamakura period. During middle ages, because Dainichi (great sun) nyorai being the most important god for the sect, Amaerasu (sun godess) of shintoism was considered his avatar.

Shinran

親鸞親鸞聖人
alternative words: Holly Shinran, Shinran shonin
keywords: buddhism , famous person , priest
related topics: Kamakura period , Jodo shin sect , Honen
related web sites: http://www.shinrankai.or.jp
explanation: Born in 1173 in a Kyoto's noble family. Became orphan very young, he entered Hiei monastery at the age 9 and climbed quickly the hierarchy. He became a disciple of Hounei in 1201 and suffered a persecution with him. He was condemned to exiles in Niigata prefecture and there married by transgressing a Buddhism discipline of the epoch. After a pardon, he remained in Eastern Japan and continued the missionary work among the people. He died in 1263 in Kyoto. Tannisho is an excerpt of his sermons.

Soga family

蘇我氏蘇我
alternative words: Soga clan, Soga shi, Sogashi, Soga
keywords: buddhism , family
related topics: Emperor Ojin , Emperor Nintoku , Yamato dynasty , Mononobe family , Buddhism , Taika reform , Soga no Iruka
related web sites: http://www.asuka-tobira.com/sogashi/sogashi.htm
explanation: Soga claimed to stem from Takeuchi no Sukune, prime minister of Emperor Ojin and Nintoku. Since the appointment of Soga no Iname to Oomi, i.e. minister, Soga gradually raised their influence by controlling diplomatic and finance matters of Yamato court, and adhered firmly to Buddhism. With an elimination of their political rival, Mononobe by Umako in 587, Soga became more powerful than Emperor but his son, Iruka was killed during a putsch in 645 and Soga declined.

Soto sect

曹洞宗
alternative words: Sotoshu sect, Sotoshu, Soto-shu, Soto shu, Soutou sect, Soutoushu sect, Soutoushu, Soutou-shu, Soutou shu
keywords: buddhism , sect
related topics: Eihe Dogen , Rinzai sect , Zen
related web sites: http://www.sotozen-net.or.jp , http://www.jtvan.co.jp/~soto/ , http://www.pa.airnet.ne.jp/szi/
explanation: One of the 5 major Zen sects in China. It was implemented in Japan by Dogen in 1227. It developed first under a shadow of Rinzai sect. It became independent when Dogen moved to Eheji temple of Fukui prefecture. After the death of Dogen, the sect suffered a scission and it is Daijoji temple of Ishikawa prefecture who became the center of sect with Keizan as leader. Contrary to Rinzai sect, it prefers a gradual enlightening thanks to long and austere meditations.

Tendai sect

天台宗
alternative words: Tendaishu sect, Tendaishu, Tendai-shu, Tendai shu, Tendai
keywords: buddhism , china , sect
related topics: Saicho , Buddhism , Esoteric Buddhism , Heian period , Kamakura period , Sengoku period , Oda Nobunaga
related web sites: http://www.tendai.or.jp
explanation: One of the esoteric Buddhism sects brought from China by Saicho. He was authorized to found Japanese branch in 806 at Mt Hiei near Kyoto. It had been especially popular among Heian nobility but its popularity decreased in Kamakura period due to a concurrence of new Buddhism sects, though it continued to keep a political power thanks to innumerable monk soldiers. During Sengoku period, after an attack of Oda Nobunaga, its power was virtually annihilated.

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