The Rise of Buddhism and the Concept of Chingo Kokka(仏教の隆盛と鎮護国家思想)
During the Nara period, Buddhism developed under the strong patronage of the state, and the concept of Chingo Kokka(鎮護国家) was particularly emphasized. This was a way of thinking that aimed to stabilize the country through Buddhism, and it formed the basis of the religious policy of the time.
Large temples were built one after another in and around Heijōkyō, and these temples served not only as places of worship, but also as bases for the study of Buddhist theory and the education of priests.
The establishment of the Nanto Rokushū and the role of foreign and Japanese monks studying abroad(南都六宗の成立と留学僧・渡来僧の役割)
In the world of Buddhism in the Nara period, various teachings that originated in India and China were studied, and the Nanto Rokushū (Six Southern Schools of Nara Buddhism 南都六宗) , namely the Sanron(三論宗), Jōjitsu(成実宗), Hossō(法相宗), Kusha(倶舎宗), Kegon(華厳宗) and Ritsu(律宗) schools, were formed. Unlike later independent sects, these schools coexisted within a single temple.
The development of Buddhism in Japan was greatly influenced by the contributions of the monks who accompanied the Kentōshi envoys(the Japanese envoys to the Tang Dynasty 遣唐使) and brought back knowledge from there, as well as the monks who came to Japan from China and introduced Buddhism precepts(戒律) to Japan.
In particular, the great Tang Dynasty monk Ganjin(Jianzhen 鑑真) introduced the formal Buddhism precepts system to Japan, established the first Buddhism precepts platform(kaidan 戒壇) in Japan at Todaiji Temple(東大寺), and then built Tōshōdaiji Temple(唐招提寺) with the aim of training monks.
In addition to Todaiji Temple, the Nara period also saw the establishment of Buddhism precepts platform at Tsukushi Kanzeonji Temple(筑紫観世音寺) and Shimotsuke Yakushiji Temple(下野薬師寺), and a system was put in place to train state-approved Buddhist monks.
Gyōki and the Popularization of Buddhism(行基と仏教の民衆化)
While the government actively protected Buddhism, it also strictly controlled the activities of Buddhist monks and restricted their proselytizing in the private sector.
However, Gyōki ignored these prohibitions and, while preaching to the general populace, he also developed social activities such as irrigation projects, road construction, and relief for the poor. As a result, he gained the support of many people, but at first he was suppressed by the government. However, later his achievements were recognized, and he was awarded the title of high priest, and he also made a major contribution to the construction of the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple.
As a result of these developments, Buddhism gradually became more than just for the ruling class, and spread among the general populace. There were also problems that the government was unable to control, such as the increase in the number of unapproved monks who became monks without formal qualifications(shidosō 私度僧), and the use of temples by some wealthy people to accumulate wealth.
The relationship between Buddhism and politics(仏教と政治の関係)
During the Nara period, the emperor himself was a devout believer in Buddhism, and there were cases where particular monks were given important positions.
In particular, Emperor Shōmu and Emperor Kōken (Emperor Shoutoku) were deeply interested in Buddhism, and monks such as Genbō(玄昉) and Dōkyō(道鏡), who received their patronage, came to have influence in the political world.
In addition, the repeated construction of large temples by the emperors placed a heavy burden on the national finances, and this was one of the causes of the financial difficulties that ensued.
Buddhism and social welfare(仏教と社会福祉)
Welfare activities based on Buddhist teachings were also carried out. A prime example of this is the establishment of the Hidden’in (a relief facility for the poor and orphans 悲田院) and the Seyakuin (a facility for the treatment of the sick) by Empress Kōmyō(光明皇后).
These facilities were based on the Buddhist concept that “accumulating good deeds leads to good fortune”, and they became a forerunner of social welfare at the time.
Shinbutsu-shūgō and the diversification of beliefs(神仏習合と信仰の多様化)
In this period, Buddhism developed not just as a religion, but also by merging with Japan’s indigenous religions. In particular, the idea of Shinbutsu-shūgō(神仏習合), which equates Buddha with Kami(神), emerged, and Buddhism was combined with Japan’s unique Kami.
Buddhism also became a means of seeking benefits in this life(現世利益), and it merged with ancestor worship, leading to the popular construction of Buddhist statues and the copying of sutras(経典).
Buddhist Art and Culture in the Nara Period(奈良時代の仏教美術と文化)
During the Nara period, art and craftwork developed greatly alongside the development of Buddhism.
Architecture
The Nara period is characterized by grand temple architecture with tiled roofs(瓦葺) and foundation stones(礎石), and some of the most famous examples include the Lecture Hall(講堂) of Tōshōdaiji Temple(唐招提寺), the Hokkedo Hall(法華堂) of Tōdaiji Temple, the Main Hall(金堂) of Tōshōdaiji Temple, and the Treasury of Shōsōin(正倉院).
Buddhist Sculpture
In addition to the traditional gilt-bronze and wooden statues, sozō(clay statues made by coating clay with a hardening agent 塑像) and kanshitsuzō(dry lacquer statues made by coating with layers of lacquer 乾漆像) were introduced during this period, making it possible to create more realistic and expressive statues.
Some of the most famous works include the Fukūkenjaku Kannon statue (不空羂索観音像) in the Hokkedō at Tōdaiji Temple(東大寺法華堂), the Nikkō and Gekkō Bosatsu statues (Sun and Moon Bodhisattva 日光菩薩と月光菩薩) , the Shukongōshin statue(執金金剛神像), and the Hachibusshū statues(八部衆像)including the Ashura statue(阿修羅像) at Kōfukuji Temple(興福寺).
Paintings
The paintings are characterized by their gorgeous style, which was influenced by the Tang dynasty, and examples include the “Jukabijin-zu(樹下美人図)” (painting of beautiful women under the trees) on the “Chōmōryūjo-Byōbu(鳥毛立女屏風)” (folding screen with women standing on birds’ feathers) in the Shōsōin and the “Kichijōten-zō(吉祥天像)” (goddess of good fortune) statue at Yakushiji Temple.
In addition, the “Kako-genzai-e-inga-kyō(過去現在絵因果経)” (the Illustrated Sutra of Cause and Effect in the Past and Present) is thought to be the prototype for later emakimono(illustrated scrolls 絵巻物).
Crafts
The Shōsōin contains many items related to Emperor Shōmu(聖武天皇), and its collection includes a variety of international art and craft objects such as the Radenshitan no Gogen Biwa (lacquered five-stringed biwa 螺鈿紫檀五弦琵琶), the Shikkohei(lacquered ewer 漆胡瓶), and the Hkururi no Wan(white lapis lazuli bowl 白瑠璃碗).
These items show traces of trade with West and South Asia, and symbolize the international cultural exchange of the Nara period.
Hyakumantō Dharani(百万塔陀羅尼)
The Hyakumantō Dharani, which was ordered to be made by Empress Shōtoku(称徳天皇), is considered to be one of the oldest extant printed works, and it is thought that woodblock or copperplate printing techniques were used.
From Nara Buddhism to Heian Buddhism(奈良仏教から平安仏教へ)
At the end of the Nara period, some monks began to retreat into the mountains to practice asceticism, disliking the power and politicization of the large temples. This trend eventually led to the emergence of new Buddhist movements such as Tendai(天台宗) and Shingon(真言宗), which were established during the Heian period.