Buddhism in Japan
Buddhist temples of Japan

Apsara, or Tennin, Gokokuji, Tokyo. Apsaras are among the earliest representations of Indian art, profusely used since the 2nd century B.C. They are made equally profusely in Japanese art, and the Japanese name means "Heavenly Beings". In the words of Dr. Kusano Kenshi, President of Otani University: “In Japan, they have always called India tinico. The ten in tinico means heaven, so from that we can see the high regard and respect which the Japanese people have had for India.”
Photo: Photograph by Benoy K Behl

Havan, or Homa or Goma, Takahata Fudo temple, Tokyo. In the Shingon and Tendai Buddhist sects, Goma has striking parallels with the early Hindu rites of agni worship. There are also deep similarities with the later Tantric traditions. In Japan, the havan is perhaps conducted as often as in India. The tantric Shingon school sings Sanskrit hymns. To this day, followers of the sect perform their worship in 1,200 temples throughout Japan. In the words of His Excellency Yasukuni Enoki, Former Ambassador of Japan: “This should be recognised by the Japanese people that at the bottom of Japanese culture, Indian culture is very strongly imprinted. It is then developed in the Japanese way.”
Photo: Photograph by Benoy K Behl

Havan, Saidaiji temple, Nara. In the words of Prof Kitamura: “In Japan, they are preserving the old Indian tradition, because they are following the ancient scriptures. They are also doing the puja and the mudras, as well as the sadhna. There is nothing called Japanese or Japanese elements in these. It is all Indian and it is, all of it, the Indian Buddhist Tantric tradition.”
Photo: Photograph by Benoy K Behl

Fudo Myoo, Achalanatha, Enryakuji Museum, Shiga prefecture. In Japan, Achalanatha is revered in Shingon, Tendai, Zen and Nichiren Buddhism and in Shugendo. In the words of Chief Priest Tomokazu Tsukahara: “There are four types of Shingon mantras of Fudo Myoo in Japan. They are taken from the Sanskrit language. Fudo Myoo seems to have had his origin in the Hindu deity Siva. The Myoo is called 'Vidya-raja' in Sanskrit. Here, it can be safely stated that Fudo Myoo has his origin in the Hindu deities of India.”
Photo: Photograph by Benoy K Behl
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