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There are two general groupings of Buddhism:
There are two general groupings of Buddhism:
*'''Hinyana''' (Lesser Vehicle): This places the onus on the individual to achieve enlightenment through meditation, contemplation, and ceremony. Esoteric sects and [[Zen]] fall under this category.
*'''Hinayana''' (Lesser Vehicle): This places the onus on the individual to achieve enlightenment through meditation, contemplation, and ceremony. Esoteric sects and [[Zen]] fall under this category.
*'''Mahayana''' (Greater Vehicle): Everyone can become a Buddha and benefiting others is an integral part of enlightenment. These comprise the [[Jodo sect|Jodo]] (Pure Land) sects, where you can enter the land of [[Amida]] Buddha simply by repeating his name over and over. The Jodo sects are by far the largest Buddhist groups in Japan today. They brought Buddhism, which before was largely for the rich and educated, to the masses.
*'''Mahayana''' (Greater Vehicle): Everyone can become a Buddha and benefiting others is an integral part of enlightenment. These comprise the [[Jodo sect|Jôdo]] (Pure Land) sects, where one can enter the land of [[Amida]] Buddha simply by repeating his name over and over. The Jôdo sects are by far the largest Buddhist groups in Japan today. They brought Buddhism, which before was largely for the rich and educated, to the masses.
The major sects in Japan today include:
The major sects in Japan today include:
There are many other sects and sub-sects, but these are the largest.
*'''[[Tendai]]''' Lotus sect: An esoteric sect, built around the Threefold Truth: all things are of the void, all things are temporary, and all things are in both states at once.
*'''[[Shingon]]''' Esoteric Buddhism: An esoteric sect introduced by [[Kukai|Kôbô Daishi]] in the 9th century and also known as Mikkyô ("esoteric teachings") in Japan. Its central belief is found in the Mahavairocan Sutra (''Dainichi-kyô''). The practice of Shingon involves doctrine, philosophy, deities such as [[Jizo|Jizô]] and [[Fudo Myoo|Fudô Myôô]], ritual, and meditation. The Three Mysteries comprise Esoteric Mudra Of The Body, Esoteric Mantra Of Speech, and Internal Visualization of the mind.
*'''Jôdo-shû''' and '''[[Jodo-shinshu|Jôdo shinshû]]''' (Pure Land Bukkyo): formed by [[Honen|Hônen]] in the 12th century, these sects believe chiefly in the repetition of the ''[[nenbutsu]]'' as a means to obtain salvation from Amida Buddha, such that one can enter the Western Paradise (Pure Land), from which it is far easier to attain nirvana.
*'''[[Nichiren Buddhism]]''': follows the [[Lotus Sutra]] and the Honzon Mandala, and is the only exclusionary Buddhist sect. The original sect split up. The [[New Religions|New Religion]] [[Soka Gakkai|Sôka Gakkai]] draws considerably upon Nichiren teachings.
*'''Zen Buddhism''' ([[Soto Zen|Sôtô]] & [[Rinzai]]): this puts the emphasis on sudden awareness of reality through meditation. Zen began to make inroads in the 12th century through the teachings of [[Eisai]] (Rinzai) and [[Dogen|Dôgen]] (Sôtô) after finding its way over from China in about 500 CE. Zen has been a heavy influence on Japanese art ([[Noh]], poetry, [[Ikebana]], [[tea ceremony]], screen painting) and is likely the best known form of Buddhism in the Western world. One caveat is that the form of Zen taught in many Western schools of martial arts has little to do with the original.
There are many other sects and sub-sects, but these are the largest.
==Doctrines==
==Doctrines==
''[[Inga]]'' is the belief in cause and effect; simply put, that good acts have a beneficial effect on one’s life and evil acts a detrimental effect. The concept of Inga is better known in the west as Karma, and is one of the more misunderstood concepts of Buddhism in the Western world (in fact, the word Karma is now used almost exclusively in the West; usually only religious scholars use it in Asian countries these days). When one builds up a great deal of negative inga, this will affect what happens in the cycle of rebirth. Inga is more than simply fate or luck-it makes each individual directly responsible for their eventual fate.
''[[Inga]]'' is the belief in cause and effect; simply put, that good acts have a beneficial effect on one’s life and evil acts a detrimental effect. The concept of Inga is better known in the west as Karma, and is one of the more misunderstood concepts of Buddhism in the Western world (in fact, the word Karma is now used almost exclusively in the West; usually only religious scholars use it in Asian countries these days). When one builds up a great deal of negative inga, this will affect what happens in the cycle of rebirth. Inga is more than simply fate or luck-it makes each individual directly responsible for their eventual fate.
The cycle of rebirth and reincarnation is known as ''Rinne''. The ultimate goal of a Buddhist is to escape the cycle of Rinne through enlightenment (Bodai) and enter Nehan (better known in the West as Nirvana)-this is known as ''Gedatsu''. Some beings choose not to enter Nehan but rather remain behind in the Earthly realm and aid others achieve enlightenment: these beings are called ''[[Bosatsu]]'' (Bodhisattva). Some of the better known Bosatsu in Japan include Jizô, [[Kannon]], and [[Miroku]]. The historical Buddha is known as Botsu.
The cycle of rebirth and reincarnation is known as ''Rinne''. The ultimate goal of a Buddhist is to escape the cycle of Rinne through enlightenment (Bodai) and enter Nehan (better known in the West as Nirvana)-this is known as ''Gedatsu''. Some beings choose not to enter Nehan but rather remain behind in the Earthly realm and aid others achieve enlightenment: these beings are called ''[[Bosatsu]]'' (Bodhisattva). Some of the better known Bosatsu in Japan include Jizô, [[Kannon]], and [[Miroku]]. The historical Buddha is known as [[Shaka]], while a generic term for Buddha(s) is Hotoke(-sama).
Your actions during your lifetime have a direct impact on where you will be reborn in the Six Realms Of Desire (assuming you don’t achieve enlightenment during that time). The enlightened ones dwell in Nehan, but for the rest of us the Six Realms are as follows (listed from highest proximity to enlightenment to least):
Your actions during your lifetime have a direct impact on where you will be reborn in the Six Realms Of Desire (assuming you don’t achieve enlightenment during that time). The enlightened ones dwell in Nehan, but for the rest of us the Six Realms are as follows (listed from highest proximity to enlightenment to least):
*'''Jigoku''': home to the Eight Hot Hells and The Eight Cold Hells, each of which has a detailed description I won’t get into here. The being [[Emma-O|Emma-Ô]] is the lord of this realm and has as his servants the great ogres known as [[oni]], famous for their ''tetsubô'' (iron studded clubs). Not a good place to be.
*'''Jigoku''': home to the Eight Hot Hells and The Eight Cold Hells, each of which has a detailed description I won’t get into here. The being [[Emma-O|Emma-Ô]] is the lord of this realm and has as his servants the great ogres known as [[oni]], famous for their ''tetsubô'' (iron studded clubs). Not a good place to be.
Eventually, the dedicated Buddhist will climb the ladder of The Six Realms and enter into Nehan, becoming one with the universe and never returning to the Realms.
Eventually, the dedicated Buddhist will climb the ladder of The Six Realms and enter into Nehan, becoming one with the universe and never returning to the Realms.
Traditionally, women were said to be hindered from attaining enlightenment in five ways, known as the Five Hindrances (Skt: ''pañca nivāraṇa''; J: ''gokai''): sensory desire, ill-will, sloth, restlessness/worry, and doubt.<ref>"[http://shunga.honolulumuseum.org/2013/index.php?page=47&language=&maxImageHeight=470&headerTop=0&headerHeight=109&footerTop=579&bw=1366&sh=0&refreshed=refreshed#.VHwJmcmTLqM Tongue in Cheek: Erotic Art in 19th-Century Japan]," Honolulu Museum of Art, exhibition website, accessed 30 November 2014.</ref> Belief in this has fallen away in the modern period, however.
Most modern Buddhists do not take the Six Realms literally but rather as metaphors for states of being. The "state" of being a Hungry Spirit is linked with greed and materialism. The "state" of dwelling in Jigoku is linked with anger and violence, either towards oneself or others. The "state" of dwelling in the Asura realm is linked with jealously, envy, and selfishness. The "state" of dwelling in Tengoku is linked with arrogance. The "state" of being an animal is linked with ignorance.
Most modern Buddhists do not take the Six Realms literally but rather as metaphors for states of being. The "state" of being a Hungry Spirit is linked with greed and materialism. The "state" of dwelling in Jigoku is linked with anger and violence, either towards oneself or others. The "state" of dwelling in the Asura realm is linked with jealously, envy, and selfishness. The "state" of dwelling in Tengoku is linked with arrogance. The "state" of being an animal is linked with ignorance.
Obviously, someone could exist in more states than just one. The final state is that which does not exist in the previous five stages. This is the state of being human and is the state from which one can achieve enlightenment. Interestingly enough, this places the realm of humans above the realm of Tengoku.
Obviously, someone could exist in more states than just one. The final state is that which does not exist in the previous five stages. This is the state of being human and is the state from which one can achieve enlightenment. Interestingly enough, this places the realm of humans above the realm of Tengoku.
After a rocky beginning and some trouble in the late 19th/early 20th century, Buddhism and [[Shinto]] have worked well together in Japan. Most temples have at least one Shrine on their grounds. The kami of Shinto are usually considered to be the Bosatsu of Buddhism (and vice versa, despite an attempt in the late 19th century to force them to be classified as one or the other) and it is not unusual for the same beings to have different names in either religion. The vast majority of Japanese claim to practice both. In many ways the practice of these religions has become more of a philosophy that has become ingrained into the daily life of Japanese rather than a religion based on regular services.
After a rocky beginning and some trouble in the late 19th/early 20th century, Buddhism and [[Shinto]] have worked well together in Japan. Most temples have at least one Shrine on their grounds. The kami of Shinto are usually considered to be the Bosatsu of Buddhism (and vice versa, despite an attempt in the late 19th century to force them to be classified as one or the other) and it is not unusual for the same beings to have different names in either religion. The vast majority of Japanese claim to practice both. In many ways the practice of these religions has become more of a philosophy that has become ingrained into the daily life of Japanese rather than a religion based on regular services.
==Warrior Monks==
==Warrior Monks==
==References==
==References==
*Mizuno Kogen ''Basic Buddhist Concepts'' Tokyo:Kosei Publishing Co, 1998
*Mizuno Kogen ''Basic Buddhist Concepts'' Tokyo:Kosei Publishing Co, 1998
*Pauling, Chris ''Introducing Buddhism'' New York:Barnes & Noble Books, 2001
*Pauling, Chris ''Introducing Buddhism'' New York:Barnes & Noble Books, 2001
*Snelling, John ''The Buddhist Handbook'' New York:Barnes & Noble Books, 1998
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[[Category:Buddhism]]
[[Category:Buddhism]]