JAPANESE RELIGION AND CULTURE

PURE LAND BUDDHISM

When Mahayana Buddhism reached Japan, it was developed into many sects., which are small religious groups. Pure land Buddhism was one of the most important sects. The message that Pure land Buddhism portrayed was about a happy life after death. Lord Amide, a Buddha of love and mercy and she was looked up to by Land Buddhists.

ZEN BUDDHISM

Zen Buddhism was brought by Buddhist monks to Japan from China in the 1100s. This type of Buddhism taught that people could find inner peace through self-control and a simple way of life. Through martial arts, Zen Buddhists controlled their bodies. Zen Buddhists practiced meditation.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

Art in Japan revealed Japanese love of beauty and simplicity. Artisans in Japan made wooden statues, furniture, and household items. In Japan, builders used Chinese designs. Covers a wide range of art styles and media including ancient pottery, sculpture, ink painting, and calligraphy.

POEMS AND PLAYS

Calligraphy was very admired in Japan. The oldest form of poetry in Japan is the tanka. The oldest type of play in Japan is Noh.

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VOCAB

• Murasaki Shikibu: wrote the Tale of Genji
• Martial arts: sports that involve comat and self defense
• Meditation: when you sit cross legged for hours
• Calligraphy: the art of writing beautifully
• Tanka: unrhymed poems of five lines

HOPE YOU LEARNED MORE ABOUT JAPANESE