The
arrival of Buddhism in Japan in the sixth century marked the end of a long
journey across the Asian continent from India. As Buddhism spread
from one country to the next, it underwent numerous modifications to suit
local needs and traditions, both in its imagery, as you see here, and in
its ideals. The Buddhism introduced to Japan was essentially Chinese,
although it was in fact by way of Korea that the Japanese first learned
of Buddhism. The Japanese in turn adapted the religion in their own
ways, and Hôryûji gives us some fascinating glimpses of this
process. But first, let's meet the temple's famous founder.