Traveling along this route, Mahayana Buddhism was introduced to Japan from Korea in the sixth century (traditionally, in either 538 or 552, as part of a diplomatic mission that included gifts such as ...

In this episode, Kings and Generals explores how Buddhism first entered Japan and gradually transformed the spiritual and political landscape. From its arrival via Korea to its acceptance by the ...

In the sixth century, Japan’s rulers took a historic decision to import Buddhism. But many frustrations lay in store before this ambitious state project could be realized. This third installment ...

Nonviolence is one of the basic tenets of Buddhism. But in Japan, where the religion developed without the code of conduct devised by the historical Buddha to preserve order among the community of ...

At 90, the Dalai Lama is still one of the world's most powerful spiritual leaders, writes Pico Iyer. Here’s why.

In many places, Shinto and Buddhism, with their associated structures, shrines and temples respectively, share the same sacred grounds. Today, there are about 80,000 shrines and 77,000 temples in ...

Shinto is one of Japan’s two major religions, along with Buddhism. Like many religious traditions, Shinto can have different meanings for people . For some, it is the central faith of the ...

Explore how adults in the U.S. and 35 other countries compare religiously and spiritually when it comes to affiliation, ...

Of the tens of thousands of Japanese converted to Orthodoxy thanks to his labors, a significant portion were former Buddhists, and amongst his assistants were former Buddhist monks (Bhikkhu), for ...

Only State control is administrative enforcement of the 1940 Religious Bodies Law (which recognizes Christianity as an official Japanese religion along with Shintoism and Buddhism).