[A Guide to HBS -part2-]
The Teachings and Practices of HBS
Rev. Nisso Fukuoka
Question and Answer
Q: Since there are many different religious groups in Japan. Can you categorize them and tell us the names, teachings, and the state of each group?
A: There are more than 150 religious groups in Japan. Most of them can be divided into the following six sects: Nara, Tendai, Shingon, Jyodo, Zen and Nichiren.
The Nara Group
The Nara Group is a lineage of the “Nanto Riku Shu" (the six sects of Nara), which prospered in the Nara Era (8th century). Today there are seven schools. They are the Todaiji Temple of Kegonshu Sect, the Toshodaiji Temple of Risshu Sect; Yakushiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple of Hossoshu Sect. These temples are mainly engaged in the studies of Buddhist doctrines rather than focusing their attention on converting people to their religion and aiding them. Most of them are “tourist attraction temples" today.
Tendai Shu Sect Lineage
The Tendai Shu sect was founded in China by the Great Master Tendai (539—597), based on the Lotus Sutra. This sect was transmitted to Japan in 805 by Saicho (Dengyo Daishi) after studying the Tendai teachings. He is the founder of the Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei in Kyoto.
After the death of Great Master Dengyo, Tendai Shu Sect's doctrines became a mixture of Tendai and Shingon teachings. Entering into the period of priest Ennin and Enchin, a conflict of interest had split them into two schools, that is, the school of Tendai Shu Sect on Mt. Hiei (Sanmon School) and the school in Shiga Prefecture (Jimon School).
From the Heian Era to the Kamakura Era, the Enrakuji Temple on Mt Hiei played the role of a university and it became the parent body of a new Kamakura Buddhism. Presently, there are about 20 factions and approximately 2,800 temples throughout the country. However, they have no uniform main figure to revere. Each temple has its own principal image, such as Yakushi Buddha, Amida Buddha, Dainichi Buddha, Shakamuni Buddha, Bodhisattva, Kannon, and Fudoson.
Shingon Lineage
Kukai, popularly known by his posthumuous name of Kobo Daishi, studied the teachings of esoteric Buddhism in China at about the same time as Saicho. After returning to Japan, Kukai founded the Kongobuji Temple on Mt. Koya (816) and the Toji Temple in Kyoto (823), Shingon Shu Sect's main temple. Their object of worship is Dainichi Buddha. They burn offerings believing that in return heaven will give benefits to men. They chant incantations and use their hands and fingers to form images of enlightenment.
Presently, Shingon Shu Sect is divided into about fifty factions, but the schools of Mt. Koya and Mt. Chizan are the ranking representatives.
Jodo Lineage
Jodo Shu sect's object of worship is Amida Buddha, and their sources are the three sutras; The Buddha of Infinite Life Sutra, The Meditation on the Buddha of Infinite Life Sutra, and the Amida Sutra. It is a Pure Land School, founded by Honen in the Heian Era (1175). The Pure Land School is largely divided into the Jodo Shu Sect founded by Honen and the Jodo Shin Shu Sect founded by Honen's disciple, Shinran.
Presently, there are about 25 groups in the Jodo Shu sect lineage. Among them are the Jodo Shu Sect's Main Temple of Chionin Temple, the East Honganji Temple and the West Shin Shu—Otani Faction.
Zen Lineage
The Jodo Shu Sect and its affiliates vowed to save people by the powers of Buddhas, especially the Amida Buddha, whereas Zen Sect practitioners rely on their own efforts.
In this lineage, there are the Rinzai Shu Sect, founded by Eisai in the early part of the Kamakura Era, and the Soto Shu Sect which was founded by Dogen. There is also the Ohbaku Shu Sect founded by Ingen, a Chinese priest, upon his arrival in Japan in the Edo Period. The Rinzai Sect is further divided into 15 schools.
Nichiren Lineage
The Nichiren Shu sect claims Nichiren Shonin as its founder. Presently, there are about 40 Nichiren religious organizations. It has the largest number of followers. Among the major organizations are Honmon Butsuryu Shu (HBS). Others are the Nichiren Shu Sect on Mt. Minobu; the Nichiren Sho Shu Sect, Soka Gakkai, the Hokke Shu Hommon Sect and the Nakayama Myo Shu Sect. There are also other new religious groups, such as Reiyu Kai and Rissho Kosei Kai.
03. Division of Religious Groups in Japan
- [TOP]
- Q and A
- The Nara Group
- Tendai Shu Sect Lineage
- Shingon Lineage
- Jodo Lineage
- Zen Lineage
- Nichiren Lineage
