Early Japanese Buddhism

Status: MODERATED

Grade Level: High School

Objective

Students will know one fact about the First 6 sects of Buddhism in Japan

Materials

• Worksheet

• Worksheet - Answers

• Vinaya Sheet

• Abhidharma Sheet

• Metaphysics Sheet

Method

1. Review of forms of Buddhism so far

• 1. Theravada

  2. Mahayana  (Madhyamaka, Abhidarma, Yogacara)

  3. Vajrayana (Tibetan)

  4. Chinese (Ch’an, Pure Land)

  5. Korean (Samnon-Madhyamaka, Gyeyeol-Vinaya, Yeolban-Nirvana Sutra)

2.  What are Japanese like culturally? 

• • Shinto is the indigenous religion. Belief in spirits in everything. Gods = Spirits

  • “Uncleanliness” is the worst thing; must be avoided at all costs.

  • Clan/family based. Society is fluid except for the aristocracy. Very few read & write. 

    • Even the imperial family does not for most part until later.

    • Caste based. No middle class. Merchant class is considered very low. 

Guess what forms of Buddhism took hold?

2. Lecture with worksheet.

Have students fill in the worksheet

3. Discussion

• • Why do you think this happened? 

4. Practices

1. Ritsu - Vinaya - Read the rules on the Vinaya Sheet and rewrite 5 rules in common English words.

2. Jojitsu - Emptiness - Explain emptiness. Give an example. 

3. Kusha - Abhidharma - Read the Abhidharma Sheet

4. Sanron - Middle Way - Give an example. 

5. Hosso - Yoga - Stretching & Breathing & Meditation

6. Kegon - Meta physics - Read the Metaphysics Sheet

5. Review/Summarize

Ask which would appeal to you? Why?

Evaluation

During the Discussions and Review

Note

n/a

Author

Mas Nishimura, nish221.at.gmail.dot.com, San Jose Betsuin, 2018