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this great Imperial leader was flashed and spreadlike wild fire, all pedestrians halted; those who wereweaving threw away their reeds and people weresilent like the grave, refusing to eat, as if they hadlost their own parents."

During one hundred years that followed, thesplendid arts and morality of the two Eras of Naraand Heian developed. Although manifold changestook place in the life of the nation during thefollowing eleven centuries, it is undeniable that itwas Buddhism that controled and developed Japan'sculture and institutions. Thus, it is clear thatBuddhism succeeded in saving Japan which was onthe verge of collapse.

2. STRENGTH GIVEN TO BUDDHISMBY JAPAN

At the same time, it should be noted that Japanimparted a fuller life to Buddhism. Although thatparticular brand of Buddhism which found its wayinto Japan was a tributary, so to speak, of the mainstream of Buddhism, it has since then broadenedinto a vast expanse not to be seen even in Indiaand China. The main characteristics of JapaneseBuddhism are to be found in its stress on therealism of Buddha and the practicality of the creedsand in its attempt to apply them to the life ofindividuals and the State. While India thinks