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Is Buddhism the official religion of japan?

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Bhikku

PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 4:34 pm


Is Buddhism the official religion of japan?
PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 9:03 pm


Not that I can find; Japan was officially a Shinto state after the Meiji Period (a move calculated to enforce an Emperor-centric worldview on the Japanese public and solidify power in his hands after years of the warring states), but the state has since separated itself from Shinto.

I can't find any reference to an official state religion nowadays, though the current ruling party in the Diet (Japanese Parliament) apparantly does identify itself as Buddhist.

Cranium Squirrel
Captain

Friendly Trickster


Harry Parachute

PostPosted: Fri Sep 03, 2004 3:39 am


Shinto's always been the dominant religion in Japan, pretty much.

People usually celebrate Shinto in celebrations, seasonal festivals, and marriages. Things that are about life.

Death, however, is left to the Buddhists. They take care of Funerals.

Interesting note about Buddhism is that it is never the sole religion of a country or nation, it's always supplimental. Even in Tibet, the original Bon-Po religion still has a lot of influence.
PostPosted: Fri Sep 03, 2004 10:35 am


soposivly in the books which I have read and my sensei it's the 2nd religion in Japan... but Since it is to my opinion a flexable religion ... they mixed it with Shintoism because many are 'Zen buhddist Shinto' ... uhm.. if I've led to this in the wrong maner please tell me so.. I dislike going so long with lies in me head.. I'd rather know when I'm wrong...

gothic_panda

Floppy Pup


CalebBludworth

PostPosted: Sat Sep 11, 2004 9:19 am


First religion in japan was shinto which is believes in many gods creating japan, then came buddha which spread from india to china to korea, and came from korean ships to japan. Most japanese infused shinto with buddhism, and made it their religion. When christianity came, they were fine with it at first, untill their was a peasnt revolt, and the emperor blamed it on christianity and massacred the people and outlawed it, anyone believing in christianity was killed and their idols smashed.

Now buddhism is still the most popular religion in japan, I think next time I bring my social studies book home, i'll give the poll of what percent of each country believse in buddhism and what other religions. Sad to say buddhism became popular over hinduism when it was created, because hinduism only the rich and priets could pray, but when they made it a more flexible religion for even common people to believe in, they got many more followers. So now in india buddhism is at a very very small percent.
PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:13 pm


BuddhaBoi
Is Buddhism the official religion of japan?


What they said sweatdrop

Why do you ask wether japan's national religion is buddhism?

ana`


Cranium Squirrel
Captain

Friendly Trickster

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:24 pm


Iarecarzy
BuddhaBoi
Is Buddhism the official religion of japan?


What they said sweatdrop

Why do you ask wether japan's national religion is buddhism?
I'd guess because he wants to learn?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:41 pm


Byaggha
Iarecarzy
BuddhaBoi
Is Buddhism the official religion of japan?


What they said sweatdrop

Why do you ask wether japan's national religion is buddhism?
I'd guess because he wants to learn?


I guess so...

ana`


Hypomanic Poet

PostPosted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:09 am


Isnt Buddhism more widely practiced in Tibet?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:29 pm


Buddhism is not the official religion of Japan. It is widely popular, but it is not "official" the way that Shinto was official during the Meiji Restoration, and through WWII.

Tenzin Chodron
Crew


Cranium Squirrel
Captain

Friendly Trickster

PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:58 am


Hypomanic Poet
Isnt Buddhism more widely practiced in Tibet?
Not since China took over. The Tibetans who practiced have been mostly displaced by the Chinese being sent there to recolonize. Even the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist leader, is in exile and living in India.
PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:49 am


Tibetan Buddhism has undergone diaspora which is what the Jews went through when they were exiled from their homeland. Rather than destroy it by dispersing the practitioners, they end up strenghtening themselves, and finding others around the globe who very much love their path.

Tenzin Chodron
Crew


Ritsako

PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:13 pm


If Buddhism isn't the official religion of Japan, then what is? PLease PM me with the answer if possible.
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Loving Kindness: A Buddhism Guild

 
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