800-1000 CE: Nara and Heian Periods: ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE RELIGION

Kojiki and Nihon shoki (Chronicle of Ancient Affairs, and First Chronicle of Japan)

◦ Confucian Imperial Court System: 

Emperor as Son of Heaven, Imperial Cabinet dominated by Fujiwara, 

System of Ritual Protocols and Fiefdoms

◦ National System of Buddhist Temples: 

Kokubunji: "Nationally Apportioned Temples" - Worship and Taxation

Jinja: Shinto shrines were often closely associated with Buddhist temples

◦ Heiankyo - Nara - the ancient capital in the Nara Period 710-784

Todaiji - The Main Temple - Headed by Emperor (Kegon School)

Kofukuji - The Fujiwara Temple (Hosso School)

Kasuga Shrine - The Fujiwara Shrine

The Miko, or Shamaness of the Fujiwara Shrine - Kasuga Deity, Sakyamuni Buddha - Kami

Toshodaiji - Ordination Temple - Jianzhen (Jpn. Ganjin) 688 763

◦ Heian - Kyoto, the New Capital - Heian Period 785-1185

Saicho 767 -822 Tendai School - China Tang, Tiantai, Hiei

Kukai 774-835 Shingon School

◦ Three Models of Religion: Spiritual Founder and Hero, Tribal God/Goddess, State Religion

Schools of Buddhism:

Nara 6 schools - includes Kegon and Hosso

Heian 2 schools - Tendai (Founder: Saicho) and Shingon (Founder: Kukai)

Kamakura 5 schools - Pure Land: Jodo (Founder: Honen), Jodo Shinshu (Founder: Shinran); Zen: Rinzai (Founder: Eisai), Soto (Founder: Dogen); Nichiren (Founder: Nichiren)