Formative Elements of Japanese Buddhism

Recent events and the critiques of Western scholars have largely refocused Japanese attention on the great Founder of their religion, and more modern books discuss him frequently. However, for centuries, Shaka the Japanese name for Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama). held only a secondary role in his own religion, and Japanese Mahâyânists followers of Mahâyâna Buddhism. took little interest in him.

During the first and second centuries of the Christian era—a date the reader should note as important—a development of Buddhism known as Mahâyâna meaning "Great Vehicle," a major branch of Buddhism emphasizing universal salvation., or "Great Vehicle," took a definite form in India. This movement has since permeated all of East Asia with Buddhist teachings that are very different from the more primitive religion found in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Burma (Myanmar).

In Mahâyâna literature, while Shaka remains the great historical Teacher, he is overshadowed by the merits of other Buddhas and Bosatsu the Japanese term for Bodhisattva, a being who seeks enlightenment for the sake of all others. who are seen as greater and more powerful than himself.

All these Buddhas—some of whom were once even disciples of Shaka—such as Kwannon also known as Kannon or Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist personification of mercy and compassion. and Vairocâna the celestial "Sun Buddha" or "Cosmic Buddha" who represents the ultimate reality of the universe., are considered saviors of humanity just as Shaka was. They are all described as having taught a doctrine very similar to Shaka’s, and then leaving humanity to work out its own salvation through their own efforts, in accordance with the law that had been provided.

The large number of Buddhas seems, however, to have been perceived as a difficulty. In some of the more recent texts, we find mention of an "Original Buddha," who is incarnated repeatedly in different forms to meet the needs of different ages and regions.

One of these Buddhas deserves special mention—one who is often confused with the "Buddha of Original Enlightenment" or "Original Buddha." This figure is sometimes known as Amida the Buddha of Infinite Light, central to Pure Land Buddhism, who offers salvation through faith., "the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life." Humanity is said to owe a new form of salvation to him: salvation "by faith in his name." It is worth noting that this Buddha is not mentioned in any book that can be proven to exist before the start of the Christian era.