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III. BUDDHISM

I. BUDDHISM WHICH WAS IMPORTEDINTO JAPAN

Buddhism originated in India about 2,500 yearsago, and after it underwent a remarkable develop-ment and proved the potent source of culture andinstitutions, it found its way into the China of thePost- Han Period extending for 700 years. It wasthen Chinanized and became the foundation ofChinese doctrines, arts and social life. It madeits way into Japan during the Sui Dynasty. Suchdifferent Buddhist sects as Sanron, Hosso, Ritsu,Kegon, Tendai and Mikkyo were imported into Japanone after another. Each of these has its owncharacteristics and is different from others, butthey all had their shares in moulding the nationalideas of the Japanese race.

Of these different sects, Sanron, Hosso, Ritsu andKegon represent the Buddhism of the Nara Period,and it is because of their being basic Buddhismthat they influenced the latter day Buddhism andthe people. The rise of the Tendai and Shingonsects was due to the importation of the culture andinstitutions in the middle of the Tang Dynasty, andthese form the foundation of the Heian culture, and