Tag: Buddhism

The Meiji Reformation

November 11, 2024 justin-david-hebert Meiji, Season 13 Comments Off on The Meiji Reformation

The Buddhist temples throughout Japan had worked hand-in-hand with the Shogunate to help prevent the spread of Christianity in Japan. Now that the Shogunate was gone, anti-Buddhist sentiment in the country boiled over into a violent response.

The Pax Hideyoshi

August 28, 2023 justin-david-hebert Azuchi-Momoyama, Season 10 Comments Off on The Pax Hideyoshi

In this episode we explore the many social and economic innovations spearheaded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during his time at the nation’s helm.

Revenues and Expenditures

November 7, 2022 justin-david-hebert Early Muromachi, Season 8 Comments Off on Revenues and Expenditures

Season 8, Episode 5: Revenues and Expenditures
The Toji Temple complex as it appears today in Kyoto, Japan. The Ashikaga heavily patronized the establishment in their day to enhance their reputation as rulers. Source: Kakidai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Golden Pavilion, called “Kinkaku-ji” in Japanese. Source: User:Fbjon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A closer view of Kinkaku-ji. Source: Ondraness, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A closer view of the roof ornament, the Hoo bird, which symbolized imperial authority. Source: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tendai Troubles

October 18, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 6 Comments Off on Tendai Troubles
Season 6, Episode 7: Tendai Troubles
A statue of Ryogen. Public Domain
An illustration of Ryogen during a mythical confrontation with an ogre. Public Domain
A portrait of Genshin seated while holding a mala. Public Domain
Mount Hiei, modern day. As you can see, it is quite large. Source: Moja, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

Kūkai’s Big Journey

July 5, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 5 Comments Off on Kūkai’s Big Journey
Season 5, Episode 3: Kūkai’s Big Journey
A wooden statuette of Kūkai (Kobo Daishi) holding a mala in his left hand and a ceremonial vajra in his right. Source: PHGCOM, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A mandala of the Buddha surrounded by four other Buddhas and four Bodhisattvas respectively. Source: Public Domain
A large statue of Kūkai (Kobo Daishi) holding a shakujō staff as well as his mala. This statue can be seen at Shitenno-ji temple in Ōsaka. Source: Zenwort, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You can read the Mahavairocana Sutra for yourself by downloading it from the Society for the Promotion of Budhism (Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai) by clicking here.

Saichō’s Big Journey

July 1, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 5 Comments Off on Saichō’s Big Journey
Season 5, Episode 2: Saichō’s Big Journey
Saichō depicted with some green tea leaves. Source: Yoshiaki Utagawa, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Guoqing Temple Monastery atop Tiantai Mountain. It has been rebuilt and rennovated many times since Saichō studied Buddhism here in 804. Source: Siyuwj, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Lecture Hall at Enryaku-ji Temple, which has been rebuilt many times over the years. Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
The Ordination Hall at Enryaku-ji. The ability to ordain their own monks was critical in ensuring the denomiation’s independence from the Nara Schools. Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

You can read the Lotus Sutra for yourself by downloading it from the Society for the Promotion of Budhism (Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai) by clicking here.

Nara Religion

January 7, 2021 justin-david-hebert Nara, Season 4 Comments Off on Nara Religion
Season 4, Episode 2: Nara Religion
The Pagoda at Yakushiji Temple. Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
Yakushiji Temple’s Kondo (Golden Hall). Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
The Kondo (Golden Hall) and Pagoda of Horyuji Temple in Nara City, formerly called Heijo-kyo. Source: Nekosuki, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A statue of Gyōki, the monk who organized the construction of over 49 monasteries and nunneries in the Kansai region which served as community centers and hospitals. Source: Jnn, CC BY 2.1 JP https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.1/jp/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons

The Art of the Asuka Period

November 19, 2020 justin-david-hebert Asuka, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on The Art of the Asuka Period
Season 3, Episode 18: The Art of the Asuka Period
The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) statue of Horyu-ji temple, crafted by Tori Busshi. Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Sakyamuni Triad, also sculpted by Tori Busshi. Public Domain
The Pagoda of Horyu-ji temple, which was built in the early 600s. Source: そらみみ, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The pagoda of Hoko-ji temple, built near the end of the Asuka period in the early 700s. Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

The Life of Crown Prince Shōtoku

November 2, 2020 justin-david-hebert Asuka, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on The Life of Crown Prince Shōtoku
Season 3, Episode 13: The Life of Crown Prince Shōtoku
A woodblock reproduction of a painting from the 700s featuring Crown Prince Shotoku and his sons by an unknown artist. Source: Public Domain.
The 10,000 Yen note features Crown Prince Shotoku, clearly inspired by the above painting. Source: Public Domain.
A statue of Crown Prince Shotoku depicted as a Bodhisattva at Asuka-dera temple. This somewhat youthful appearance was a common way of depicting most Bodhisattvas in the Asuka Period. Source: Chris 73
A wooden statue of Shotoku. Source: PHGCOM, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Buddhism Comes to Japan

October 19, 2020 justin-david-hebert Asuka, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on Buddhism Comes to Japan
Season 3, Episode 9: Buddhism Comes to Japan
The front of Asuka-dera temple’s main hall. Though originally built in Asuka, it was later moved to Heijo-kyo (Nara City), where it stands today. It is believed to be one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, possibly the oldest. Source: 663highland / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
The Daibutsu (large Buddha) statue which resides in Asuka-dera. Made in 609 CE by Kuratsukuri no Tori, the son of a Korean immigrant. Source: Chris 73 / Wikimedia Commons
The Pagoda of Shitenno-ji temple in modern-day Osaka. This temple, dedicated to the Four Heavenly Kings or Four Guardians, was built in 593 CE under the alleged patronage of Crown Prince Shotoku. Source: Chris Gladis from Kyoto, Japan / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
The Main Hall of Shitenno-ji, with the pagoda visible behind it. Source: 663highland / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)