The difference between Buddhism and Shinto

Here, we’ll explore the differences between Buddhism and Shinto from a uniquely Japanese perspective.
What role does Buddhism play within Japan today?

It is a teaching that began about 2,500 years ago, around the 6th century BCE, by Shakyamuni(the historical Buddha), who was born near the border between India and Nepal.

Its purpose is to be freed from suffering and to attain enlightenment.

Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 500s. According to Nihon Shoji, an ancient Japanese historical chronicle, Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the year 552 by King Seong of Baekje(one of the kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula), who presented it to Emperor Kinmei, the 29th emperor of Japan.

Although elements of Buddhist culture had been introduced earlier by immigrants, this was the first official transmission of Buddhism between nations. At the time, Baekje was in a state of military tension with neighboring countries, and it is believed that the introduction of Buddhism also served a political purpose — to strengthen friendly relations with Japan.

Buddhism began to decline in India, the land of its origin, around the 1200s. Due to various factors such as the rise of Hinduism and the influence of foreign powers, Buddhism gradually declined in India.

After the death of the Buddha, Buddhism gradually split into different schools due to differences in teachings. The form of Buddhism that reached Japan is called Mahayana Buddhism.

◯ Mahayana Buddhism – A group that aimed to spread the teachings of Buddhism widely to all people.

◯ Theravāda Buddhism – A group that focused on refining practices and doctrines. At the time, this was the mainstream school.

A: Because Japan actively promoted Buddhism as a national policy.

After the introduction of Buddhism in552, Japan was sharply divided over whether to accept the new religion. A fierce debate split the nation: on one side were the internationalists who supported the spread of Buddhism, and on the other, the conservatives who sought to preserve Japan’s traditional deities.
Eventually, the pro-Buddhist faction emerged victorious through armed conflict and gained power at the center of government.

As a result, Buddhism spread throughout Japan with official support from the state. (Note: It was not established as a state religion.)

Buddhism, when it spread to Japan, was accepted by the people. However, it did not replace the traditional beliefs of the land.
Shinto absorbed elements of Buddhism, and over time, the two influenced each other so deeply that the boundaries between them became increasingly blurred.

This is Known as Shinbutsu–shūgō, the syncretism of Buddhism and Shinto.

Shinbutsu-syūgō refers to the fusion of Buddhism and Shinto, in which the distinction between the two became increasingly unclear.

From 552 to 1868, Buddhism and Shinto gradually blended together, with their fusion reaching a peak around 800CE.

Shinto was separated from Buddhism in 1868.

In1868, Japan began rapidly modernizing its industry, military, and education in order to keep up with the Western powers. It was the year Japan shifted to a new national system under the Meiji government—known as the Meiji Restoration.
In an effort to foster national unity during a time of intense transformation, the Japanese government moved to elevate Shinto—centered around the Emperor—as a unifying cultural foundation.
Buddhism, which had been introduced from abroad, was distinguished from Shinto, allowing Japan’s native tradition to be framed as uniquely sacred.

This is Known as Shinbutsu–bunri, which refers to the separation of Buddhism and Shinto.

After being defeated in World War II, Japan was placed under the administration of the Allied Powers from 1945 to 1951, during which major political, social, and institutional reforms were implemented.
A directive was issued to separate Shinto from the state and from politics.
During this roughly six-year period, a distance grew between the public and Shinto. In government institutions, public events, educational settings, and the media, Shinto was positioned as something negative.

With the enforcement of the San Francisco Peace Treaty on April 28, 1952, the Allied occupation of Japan came to an end, and the Shinto Directive effectively lost its force.

Since then, Shinto in Japan has continued to be practiced and passed down within communities and by individuals, free from any compulsion by the state or from abroad.

Today’s Japan reflects a mixture of different forms of Shinto—ancient nature worship, hero-centered Shinto from early history, Shinto that coexisted with Buddhism, and imperial-centered Shinto-all interwoven over time.

Today’s emperor is the 126th in line, tracing back to the legendary first emperor, Jimmu.
According to the ancient text Kojiki, Emperor Jimmu was a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu-ōmi-kami.

In Japan, new religious ideas are welcomed, but traditional beliefs are not replaced.
Instead, they are harmonized and absorbed into Shinto over time.