Transcript New Religions

Mahayaha Buddhism #15
Buddhism in Tokugawa Era
Masayo Urasaki
26 September 2012
Today’s schedule
1) To understand Japanese pre-Modern
society (Tokugawa Era) and transformation
of Buddhism.
2) To understand that influences of Kamakura
Revolution in Tokugawa Era
Keywords
・Pre Modern (Tokugawa – Era 徳川時代)
・System of family which supports a temple
（檀家制度）
・Subsidiary system of temple（本末制度）
・Investigating of Religion affiliation （宗門改）
・Myo-ko-nin/ Ideal person of Shin Pure land
（妙好人）
・Hakuin（白隠）
・Ryoukan（良寛）
Kamakura Era’s Buddhist Revolution
Essence of the Revolution
・Buddhism for the Public (local people)
・Everybody can become Buddha
・Easy practices
・Prefer faith to practices
→ Spread to Local People, built many Temples.
There are monks who engaged in Arts,
financier. (Power of Buddhist become strong)
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Influences of Christianity
Francisco de Xavier/ Born 1506
at Spain.Catholic missionary.
First Propagate at Japan in 1549
→ He wanted to go to Kyoto for
propagate, but Shogun and Monk
not permitted → propagate at
Kyuryu or Shikoku 2 years.
→ Some Japanese Feudal Lord
（daimyo大名）convert to
Christian expecting not only faith
but also profit of trading.

From Middle Age to Pre Modern
Era of Civil War → Unification of all Japan
1) Oda Nobunaga（織田信長）
・Set fire to the temple for weaken power of monk
(Mt.Hiei, Mt.Koya, Kofuku-ji at Nara)
・Permit to propagate Christian Missionary, use them
to oppress Buddhism
2) Toyotomi Hideyoshi （豊臣秀吉）
・Strong Control of Buddhist Temples
・At first, Protect Christian, spreaded too much, so he
prohibited to propagate at 1587.
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Tokugawa Era
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Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu （徳川家康）
Tokugawa Era ( 1603-1867)
Conquer all Japan almost 300 years
Toward Christianity → prohibit
→ But local people still faith secretly
Toward Buddhism
→ Using the power of Buddhism to
control local people
Tokugawa Era’s Policy
toward Religion
Strong Control and Umbrella of the Politics
1) System of family which supports a temple
（檀家制度）
All people had to belong the temple.
→ Government easy to grasp the information
→ Aim of prohibiting Christianity completely
→ Temple didn’t need to propagate so hard
2) Subsidiary system of
temple（本末制度）
Control to use “head and
branch temple relations
Main Temple
3) Investigating of
Religion affiliation
（宗門改）
People should submit
their faith, address,
family information
→
It was also benefit to
guarantee the
relationship between
local people and temple
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What happened to each schools?
Tendai / Shingon
After destroyed by Shogun Oda, obey the Gov’s policy.
Nichiren
Fuju Fuse （不受不施派） movement ←protest Gov.
/ Underground movement
Pure-Land
Tokugawa family’s temple/Gov. treat Zojo-ji well
Shin Pure-Land
Ikko- ikki （一向一揆）Poor people protest Gov.
Myoko-nin（妙好人） Ideal person of Shin Pure land
Zen Protect from Gov. Rich monk-Artist, Tea
ceremony
Outstanding Monks at Tokugawa Era
・Hakuin(1685-1768) Rinzai Zen
Born at Shizuoka Province. Revival of
Rinzai Zen. Became monk 15 years.
Zen Artist. Teaching of Health Care.
(Ex.Breath Meditation before sleep)
・Ryokan (1757-1831) Soto Zen
Born at Niigata-Province. Became
Monk 18 years old. Poet and
Calligrapher. He likes to play
children. Intimate Character.
Prepare for Final Examination

Range of test >> All
(China, Nara, Heian, Kamakura, Tokugawa)

Full score >> 50 points
20 points >> Question “True or False”
(10 questions)
30 points >> Writings short essay
(3 questions)