Database: Buddhism in Medieval Japan

One of the defining elements of medieval Japan is Buddhism. Japanese Buddhism absorbed the popular cults associated with local deities along with the Shinto faith. The Tendai and Shingon sects developed complex theological constructions to support this assimilation. The same is true for the theory of Sankyo Itchi Ron which posits that Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism are part of a whole and that the teachings of Confucius constitute one of the paths of Buddhism. The five cardinal virtues of Confucianism are likened to the five commandments of Buddhism.

During the 16th century, Buddhist monasteries were places of learning for the privileged and vectors of Buddhist (and Chinese) thought in the Japanese provinces. The Enryaku-ji, the central temple of Tendai Buddhism, was like a university where young aristocrats and warriors were taught not only esoteric Buddhism, but also the principles of agronomy, architecture, pharmacy, military strategy, astronomy, poetry, Confucianism, and many other subjects.

Buddhist monasteries also played a central role in the development of agriculture, particularly by taking charge of clearing and cultivating new land. The monastic economy mainly relied on rents from peasants who cultivated the land of Buddhist institutions and on various tolls installed on roads crossing their domain.

Sometimes, rituals were performed to increase the agricultural prosperity in their domain, particularly for large monasteries (such as Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei or Kōfuku-ji in Nara). However, rituals were performed among the smaller temples and shrines present in the domains and villages as well.