The 13 Buddhist Sects of Japan

Nowadays, there are 13 independent Buddhist sects (some large, others small) in Japan. Here is an overview.

First, we have the "Six Schools of the Nara Period (8th c.). These were not competing sects, but rather "academic study groups" of which several different ones could be established at one and the same temple. Each school contributed to the later development of Buddhist thought in Japan. In this period Buddhism was largely confined to the court and aristocracy, with the state spending lavishly on temples and Buddhist statues.

Three of the Six Nara schools are still active. Together they have a total of roughly 580,000 followers (as Japanese religion is - different from for example Christianity - not a personal, confessional religion, but often a matter of the family historically belonging to a particular sect or having its graves there, these figures should be read with some skepticism).

All Nara temples are important repositories of Buddhist art.

(1) Hosso Buddhism

• Hosso-shu (Skt. Yogachara; Ch. Faxiang) "Practice of Yoga School", also called Yuishiki-shu (Ch. Weishi) "Consciousness-only School"
  
• Teachings:
  
  • Based on the doctrine of the Indian Buddhist Idealist school Vijnanavada (one of the two major Indian schools of Mahayana philosophy), first expounded in the 4th c. by Vasubandhu (Seshin) and Asanga (Mujaku), who emphasized that reality is nothing but mental ideation. In Japan, the basic scripture of this school is the Joyuishikiron ("Treatise on the Establishment of the Doctrine of Consciousness Only).  
  • Understanding of reality comes from one's own mind, rather than actual empirical experience (a precursor of George Berkeley!). The universe exists only in the mind of the perceiver.
    
  • Vijnanavada (Yogachara) teachings were brought from India to China by Xuanzang (Genjo, the famous Chinese monk whose journey to India became the subject of the novel Journey to the West (Xiyouji)). His disciple Kuiji (Jion Daishi) is considered as the first true patriarch of the school. 
  • The school was brought to Japan by Dosho (who had studied for 10 years with Xuanzang) in 662 and again by Genbo in 735. During the Nara period (8th c.) Hosso doctrine was widely studied in Japan and Hosso was connected with several prominent temples, such as Horyuji (now independent denomination), Yakushiji, Kofukuji and (later) Kiyomizudera (now independent). 
  • In contrast to later Japanese Buddhist schools, the Hosso school maintains that not all beings possess the Buddha-nature. Buddha-hood can only be achieved by the select few.
    
  • Although a scholastic type of Buddhism with few adherents because of its philosophical difficulty, in later ages Hosso monks were involved in important debates, such as Tokuitsu with Saicho and Jokei with Honen.
• Founder (in Japan): Dosho in 662
• Head temples: Yakushiji (Nara), Kofukuji (Nara)
  
• Other important temples: -
  
• Main image: Shaka Nyorai, Yakushi Nyorai
• Style of temples: Hosso temples as Yakushiji and Kofukuji are renowned for their superb statues and other art works, both in the temple halls and in the attached "national treasure halls." 
• Basic scripture: Joyuishikiron ("Treatise on the Establishment of the Doctrine of Consciousness Only")
• One of the 6 schools of Nara Buddhism
• 518,324 followers; 55 temples
  
• https://www.yakushiji.or.jp/en/ (Yakushiji) and https://www.kohfukuji.com/english/ (Kofukuji)
• The important collection of Buddhist statues owned by Kofukuji includes the Six Hosso Patriarchs (in the National Treasure Hall) and very impressive statues of Vasubandhu (Seshin) and Asanga (Mujaku) in the Northern Round Hall.
  

[Xuanzang, the "father" of Hosso Buddhism]

(2) Kegon Buddhism

• Kegon-shu (Skt. Avatamsaka, Ch. Huayan) 
• Teachings:
  
  • An influential Chinese lineage named for the text that is its focus, the Kegonkyo, which declares the mutual interpenetration (or connectedness) of all things. It also propounds the doctrine that all beings have the Buddha-nature. 
  • The school was founded in China in the late 6th–7th century by Dushun and further systematized in the 7th–8th century by Fazang. The doctrine first reached Japan in 736, carried by Daoxuan (Dosen, 702-760), a pupil of Fazang, and by a monk from southern India, Bodhisena.
  • Daoxuan was not only responsible for importing Huayan school teachings to Japan, but also the Bodhisattva Precepts (see below), so his influence on Japanese Buddhism was very large. He also presided over the opening of Todaiji.
    
  • Roben (689-773), the founder of Todaiji, was an early expert in the Kegonkyo. Todaiji was the head temple of the Kokubunji system, the network of provincial temples throughout Japan, which was inspired by the idea of centralized religious authority as propagated by the Kegon school.
    
  • In the Kamakura period, further authorities were Gyonen of Todaiji and Myoe of Kozanji. Although the doctrine of this sect greatly influenced Japanese Buddhism, and was widely studied by priests of various other sects, it did not prosper on its own. 
• Founder: Roben in 740
• Head temple: Todaiji (Nara)
  
• Other important temples: Shinyakushiji (Nara), Abe no Monjuin (Nara), Obitokedera (Nara)
  
• Main image: Rushana Butsu. Largely equivalent to Dainichi Nyorai, this is a cosmic, solar Buddha who sits at the center of the universe. Shakyamuni was seen as a manifestation and envoy of Rushana, appearing in infinite worlds throughout the universe. The message was one of centralized religious authority (and, by implication, centralized state power).
• Style of temples: Kegon temples as Todaiji are renowned for their superb statues and other art works.
• Basic scripture: Kegonkyo (Avatamsaka Sutra; Eng. "Flower Garland Sutra")
  
• One of the 6 schools of Nara Buddhism
• 38,654 followers; 60 temples
  
• http://www.todaiji.or.jp/english/index.html
  
  

[Roben]

 

(3) Ritsu Buddhism

• Risshu (Skt. Vinaya, Ch. Lü)
• Teachings:
  
  • Ritsu was mainly concerned with Mahayana rules of behavior and ascetic discipline for monks and nuns. Interest in these precepts was especially high in the Nara period (8th c.) when control over the monastic community was a central concern of the state. 
  • The first Chinese monk to bring ideas regarding the precepts to Japan was Daoxuan (Dosen) - see above. 
  • The teaching was officially transmitted to Japan by the senior Chinese "precept master" Jianzhen (Ganjin), who arrived in 754. He established the Kaidanin (ordination platform) at Todaiji from which he conferred Bodhisattva precepts. Every monk or nun was required to receive precepts at this or two other (in the Kanto area and in Kyushu) official ordination platforms. In 759 Ganjin founded his own temple, Toshodaiji. 
  • After a decline, the school was revived in the 13th c. by such important monks as Eison and Ninsho. In this period a form in which it was combined with Shingon as "Shingon-Risshu" developed. Saidaiji, Hannyaji, Byakugoji and Hozanji (Ikuma Shoten) in Nara are important Shingon-Risshu temples. Others are Shomyoji (Yokohama), Gokurakuji (Kamakura) and Gansenji and Joruriji in Kyoto Pref. So there are far more important Shingon-Risshu temples than pure Risshu temples; however, these are now counted as Shingon temples.
    
• Founder: Ganjin in 759
• Head temple: Toshodaiji (Nara)
  
• Other important temples: Mibudera (Kyoto)
  
• Main image: Rushana Butsu
• Style of temples: Like other sects from the Nara period, the Ritsu temple Toshodaiji is renowned for its superb statues and other art works.
• Basic scripture: Shibunritsu (Dharmaguptaka-vinaya)
  
• One of the 6 schools of Nara Buddhism
• Risshu: 29,500 followers; 26 temples (Shingon-Risshu: 105,500 followers; 90 temples)
  
• https://toshodaiji.jp/english/index.html 

[Jianzhen (Ganjin)]

 

An important stream of thought was also the fourth Nara school, the Sanron school (Skt. Madhyamaka, Ch. Sanlun, "Three Treatises"), which focused on the idea of emptiness (sunyata): all existing entities are devoid of any essence because all things are interdependent. Madhyamaka was, together with the Idealistic Vijnanavada school, one of the two major streams in Buddhist philosophy in India and goes back to the philosopher Nagarjuna (c. 150-250 CE). Several Nara temples as Gangoji and Daianji were centers of Sanron studies, and although Sanron never became a separate sect, its thought was very influential on later Japanese Buddhism, as Tendai and Zen. Sanron was introduced into Japan around 625 by the Korean monk Ekan, who resided at Gangoji Temple (in Asuka). (The remaining 2 Nara schools were originally not independent, but were studied in tandem with other Nara schools - Jojitsu with Sanron, and Kusha with Hosso).

 

In the early 9th c., after the capital had been transferred from Nara to Kyoto, two new indigenous sects were established by Japanese monks who had studied in China, namely Tendai and Shingon. Both sects built their headquarters on mountain tops to enable quiet ascetic practice. All beings contain within themselves a mirror of Buddha-hood, but it takes strenuous austerities and knowledge of secret rituals to polish it. Both sects are "esoteric," meaning that there was a secret transmission between master and pupil and that magical formulas were important. The six Buddhist schools from Nara were gradually overshadowed by these two schools, and Kyoto became the new Buddhist capital. Both schools had strong ties with the court and aristocracy in Kyoto.

Thanks to this sponsorship, Tendai and Shingon temples are (like the Nara temples) great repositories of Buddhist art.

(4) Tendai Buddhism

• Tendai-shu (Ch. Tiantai)
• Teachings:
  
  • Founded in China by Zhiyi (Chigi), based upon the teachings of the Lotus Sutra (Fahuajing), which subscribes to different levels of truth and therefore attempts a synthesis of different philosophical concepts. Central is also the teaching of emptiness - that all things, being impermanent, are devoid of self-entity. 
  • The sect was transmitted to Japan in 806 by Saicho (767-822), who became the founder of Japanese Tendai Buddhism. However, the Japanese and Chinese sects are basically different as Japanese Tendai also includes doctrines of Esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyo, increasingly important in Heian Japan), Zen and Ritsu, together with the Tendai doctrine proper. 
  • Through application of the theory of honji-suijaku, Shinto deities were regarded as various manifestations of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
    
  • The populist Buddhist movements of the Kamakura period evolved from Tendai. 
  • Important Tendai leaders after Saicho were Ennin and Enchin, who both helped perfect the esoteric elements in Tendai to better compete with the Shingon school. Unfortunately, their lineages clashed and the followers of Enchin set up a separate branch called Jimon-shu at Onjoji (Miidera). The influence of Tendai finally declined with the fortunes of the court aristocracy.
• Founder: Saicho (Dengyo Daishi) in 806
• Head temple: Enryakuji (on Mt Hiei)
  
• Other important temples: Onjoji (Otsu, Shiga Pref.), Ishiyamadera (Otsu, Shiga Pref.), Saikyoji (Shiga Pref.), Rinnoji (Tochigo Pref.), Chusonji (Hiraizumi, Iwate Pref.), Motsuji (idem), Risshakuji (Yamagata), Sanbutsuji (Tottori Pref.), Yokokuraji (Gifu Pref.), Kaneiji (Tokyo), Kitain (Saitama Pref.), Engyoji (Himeji), Kakurinji (Hyogo Pref.), Rengeoin (Sanjusangendo, Kyoto), Sanzenin (Kyoto), Shinnyodo (Kyoto), Shorenin (Kyoto), Bishamondo (Kyoto), Manshuin (Kyoto), etc. etc.
  
• Main image: Yakushi Nyorai
• Style of temples: There are numerous Tendai temples and they are all interesting as they contain great statues and other art works.
• Basic scripture: Hokekyo (Lotus Sutra)
  
• One of the 2 major schools of Heian Buddhism
• Tendai-shu: 1,534,854 followers; 3,350 temples
• Tendai Jimon-shu: 317,850 followers; 197 temples
  
• http://www.tendai.or.jp/english/ 
• http://www.tendai-jimon.jp/  
  

[Saicho]

 

(5) Shingon Buddhism

• Shingon-shu (Ch. Zhenyan)
• Teachings:
  
  • Shingon is the Japanese translation of the Sanskrit "mantra" (secret word, mystic syllable), which was adopted as the sect name because of its important role in the teachings of this school. The sect claims direct descent from Mahavairocana (Dainichi), via Nagarjuna, who 800 years after the demise of Sakyamuni discovered the long-hidden scripture Dainichikyo in an iron tower in southern India.
  • These scriptures were brought to China, where Kukai (774-835) received them from Huiguo (Keika). This type of Tantristic Buddhism was however never very popular in China proper (as opposed to Tibet).
    
  • It was only in Japan that the teachings were sufficiently systematized by Kukai to form an independent sect. Kukai identified Dainichi with the Dharmakaya or Ultimate Reality. He also taught that is is possible to the attain Enlightenment in this very existence. In Japan esoteric Buddhism flourished, particularly in the Heian period. It still remains one of the main currents in Japanese Buddhism today. 
  • Ritual is one of the major elements of Shingon Buddhism and difference about ritual was the reason the sect split into the Ono and Hirosawa schools, each again with many branches. Another important branch called Shingi-Shingon was in 1140 established by Kakuban at Negoroji temple (Wakayama Pref.).
• Founder: Kukai (Kobo Daishi) in 816
• Head temple: Kongobuji (Koyasan, Wakayama Pref.)
  
• Other important temples: Toji (Kyoto), Daigoji (Kyoto), Hasedera (Nara), Muroji (Nara), Daikakuji (Kyoto), Jingoji (Kyoto), Shinshoji (Narita), Yakuoin (Tokyo), Natadera (Ishikawa Pref.), Myotsuji (Obama, Fukui Pref.), Jodoji (Onomichi, Hiroshima Pref.), Kanshinji (Osaka Pref.), etc. etc.
  
• Main image: Dainichi Nyorai
• Style of temples: Just as in the case of Tendai Buddhism, Shingon temples are very rich in statues and other art work.
• Basic scripture: Dainichikyo (Mahavairocana Tantra), Kongochokyo (Vajrasekhara Sutra)
  
• One of the 2 major schools of Heian Buddhism
• Koyasan Shingonshu: 4,561,680 followers; 3,544 temples
  
• Shingonshu Daigojiha: 527,590 followers; 874 temples (and many other branches)
  
• https://www.koyasan.or.jp/en/
• https://www.daigoji.or.jp/  
  
  

[Kukai]

In the Kamakura period (1180—1333) new forms of populist Buddhism developed，in contrast to the Buddhism of the Nara and Heian periods which had been mainly the religion of the court and aristocracy. These new forms with their many adherents and mass appeal are still the most important Buddhist sects today. 

First we look at Amidism or Pure Land Buddhism, an "easy way to paradise." In the late Heian period (10th-12th c.) people believed that the world had entered "Mappo," a degenerate epoch in which Buddhism would be in decline. Salvation was only possible by faith in Amida, the Buddha of the Pure Land (Jodo) across the Western Ocean. Tendai priests as Kuya and Genshin were the first to teach that Amida was a compassionate Buddha who would save earnest believers.

The basic goal of Amidism concides with that of general Mahayana Buddhism: realizing the wisdom to see things, including the self, as they truly are. However, such wisdom can only be brought forth from within each person by the transforming power of Amida, and not through self-generated effort. 

There are two very large sects and two much smaller ones. In total, Amidism is by far the largest stream in Japanese Buddhism, with more than 22 million followers. Temples left the mountains (where they had been moved by Tendai and Shingon) and came down to the cities.

(6) Jodo Buddhism

• Jodo-shu (Pure Land Sect)
  
• Teachings:
  
  • Based on Nagarjuna's principle of the easy road to Nirvana, Daocho's teaching on the Pure Land as opposed to the way of the sages, as well as Shandao's view of sudden enlightenment. 
  • Although Amidist ideas had already reached japan in the Nara period, and Kannon, the "goddess of mercy" who was considered as a manifestation of Amida, was from an early time the most popular Bodhisattva, it surprisingly took a long time before Amidism was establshed as an independent sect. 
    
  • The Japanese priest Honen (1133-1212) first publicly taught this doctrine in 1175 at Kurodani in Kyoto. He taught that salvation through the mercy of Amida could be achieved by endlessly reciting the phrase "Namu Amida Butsu," "I take my refuge in the Buddha Amida" - the more times the better as many others were clamoring for Amida's attention. The purpose was rebirth in Amida's Pure Land in the West. Note that this was not thought of as an endpoint like the Christian Heaven; being reborn in the Pure Land only made it easier, under guidance of Amida, to realize Enlightenment.
    
  • This doctrine was based on a vow by Amida promising rebirth in his Pure Land to all who call on his name 10 times at death.
    
  • The movement became very popular, arousing the enmity of the older sects, so that Honen and his disciples were briefly exiled. 
  • The sect later split into five branches, of which the Chinzei and Seizan branches still exist.
• Founder: Honen in 1175
• Head temple: Chionin (Kyoto), Zojoji (Tokyo)
  
• Other important temples: Kotokuin (Kamakura's Big Buddha), Konkaikomyoji (Kurodani in Kyoto), Zenrinji (Eikando, also Kyoto), and Komyoji (Kyoto)
  
• Main image: Amida Nyorai (and Honen himself)
• Style of temples: Jodo temples are much more simple than Nara temples or Tendai and Shingon temples. Some have a beautiful Amida statue, but few other statues or art works are on display.
• Basic scripture: Jodo Sanbukyo (Sukhavati Vyuha, Amitabha Sutra, and Amitayurdhyana Sutra), the "Threefold Pure Land Sutras."
  
• One of the 2 largest Pure Land schools
• 6,021,900 followers; 6,908 temples
  
• https://jodo.or.jp/english/about2/ 

[Honen]

 

(7) Jodo Shin Buddhism

• Jodo-shin-shu, Shin-shu (True Pure Land Sect, Shin sect)
• Teachings:
  
  • In contrast to Honen, Shinran (1173-1263) taught that even a single instance of sincere belief was sufficient for salvation - it was not necessary to endlessly recite the Nenbutsu. The repetition of the Nenbutsu was instead regarded as the expression of a thankful heart.
  • Shin Buddhism also differs from the more conservative Jodo-shu in giving up the "vinaya" (precepts) discipline which the Jodo sect retained, allowing its priests to marry, eat meat and live as laymen. 
  • Although members worship before the founder's image as the revealer of the Amida doctrine, the sect has discarded all other images.
  • In the 16th c. the sect developed an extensive ecclesiastical organization which also included secular and military power, even ruling entire provinces. This religious monarchy was destroyed by Oda Nobunaga between 1570-80. 
    
  • The sect is divided into the Otani and Honganji schools, due to a succession dispute in 1602, which was used by the Tokugawa shogunate to divide the large sect and thus diminish its power.  
• Founder: Shinran in 1224
  
• Head temples: Nishi Honganji, Higashi Honganji (both Kyoto)
  
• Other important temples: Tsukuji Honganji (Tokyo), Zuisenji (Toyama Pref.), Senjuji (Mie Pref.)
• Main image: Amida Nyorai (and Shinran himself).
• Style of temples: Shin temples are often huge, to accommodate large congregations (the immense halls of the Honganji temples in Kyoto convey the popular nature of the sect), but they are simple and relatively undecorated, lacking statues or other art works. Note that the hall dedicated to Shinran is usually larger than the hall dedicated to Amida.
  
• Basic scripture: Jodo Sanbukyo (Sukhavati Vyuha, Amitabha Sutra, and Amitayurdhyana Sutra), the "Threefold Pure Land Sutras."
• One of the 2 largest Pure Land schools
• Nishi Honganji: 6,940,967 followers; 10275 temples
• Higashi Honganji: 5,333,146; 8,607 temples
  
• https://www.hongwanji.or.jp/english/  (Nishi) and http://www.higashihonganji.or.jp/english_top/ (Higashi)
  

[Shinran]

 

(8) Ji Buddhism

• Ji-shu ("Hourly" Sect, in the sense of "24 hours a day", referring to the incessant devotion of the name of the Buddha Amida)
  
• Teachings:
  
  • Originally a mendicant Amidist order, founded by Ippen (1239-1289), a wayfaring hijiri (holy man). 
  • Ippen taught that the name of the Buddha Amida contained within it both Amida's attainment of Buddha-hood and the salvation of all beings, united as a single "timeless" event. He distributed paper talismans (fuda) inscribed with this name. His followers also practiced Nenbutsu dancing as an ecstatic event celebrating the immediacy of salvation available in the name of Amida.
  • In his travels around famous religious places in Japan (the Kumano Shrines, Zenkoji temple in Nagano, Shitennoji in Osaka, etc.), Ippen acquired many disciples. The ideal Jishu life was one of impoverished mendicant wayfaring, distributing paper talismans with Amida's name and thus saving all who received them.
  • The Jishu found much support among the warrior class, as they provided funerals and services for battleground deaths. 
  • Jishu monks (recognizable by the element "Ami" in their name) also served the shogunate as art connoisseurs. 
  • In the 14th and 15th centuries Jishu was the leading Pure Land group, but since then it has almost withered away.
    
• Founder: Ippen in 1274
  
• Head temple: Shojokoji (popularly called "Yugyoji")
  
• Other important temples: -
• Main image: Amida Nyorai
• Style of temples: Ji temples usually lack interesting statues or other art works (an exception is the museum of Yugyoji).
• Basic scripture: Jodo Sanbukyo (Sukhavati Vyuha, Amitabha Sutra, and Amitayurdhyana Sutra). The sect also recognizes the Kegonkyo and Hokekyo as these teach a sort of Nenbutsu.
  
• One of the 2 smaller Pure Land schools
• Now 59,000 followers; 410 temples
  
• http://www.jishu.or.jp/english-page 

 

[Ippen]

(9) Yuzu Nenbutsu Buddhism

• Yuzu-nenbutsu-shu  
• Teachings:
  
  • Japanese Buddhist sect founded upon the teachings of Ryonin (1073-1132), who taught that by practicing the Nenbutsu (the chanting of the name of the Buddha Amida) one "interfuses" with other practitioners, not only leading to one's rebirth in Amida's Pure Land, but enabling the salvation of all mankind. In other words, calling the name of Amida saves not only the one who practices it, but also others who do not. 
  • Ryonin propagated his ideas in the area around Kyoto. 
  • At the request of the Retired Emperor Toba, Ryonin built Dainenbutsuji in 1127 in Osaka.
    
• Founder: Ryonin in 1117
• Head temple: Dainenbutsuji (Osaka)
  
• Other important temples: -
  
• Main image: Amida Nyorai
• Style of temples: Yuzu Nenbutsu temples lack interesting statues or other art works.
• Basic scripture: Jodo Sanbukyo (Sukhavati Vyuha, Amitabha Sutra, and Amitayurdhyana Sutra). Also recognizes the importance of other scriptures as the Kegonkyo and Hokekyo.
  
• One of the 2 smaller Pure Land schools
• 123,375 followers; 356 temples
  
• https://www.dainenbutsuji.com/ (only in Japanese)
  

[Dainenbutsuji, Osaka]

 

Zen was already a part of Tendai practice, when in the late 12th c. it was reintroduced from Song-China as an independent sect. It brought a new wave of Chinese culture to Japan. As "jiriki," a religion based on one's own power of ascetic practice and meditation, Zen stands in opposition to Amidism which stresses "tariki," complete reliance on salvation by the outside power of Amida. Zen teaches that all people possess the Buddha nature and that, by awakening to that Buddha nature, a person may achieve enlightenment. The means to that enlightenment is meditation. Japanese Zen Buddhism counts almost 5 million followers. There are two main streams in japanese Zen Buddhism, Rinzai and Soto; a third one, Obaku, which entered Japan much later and had much less influence, is in fact connected to the Rinzai sect.

(10) Rinzai Zen Buddhism

• Rinzai-shu (Ch. Linji)
  
• Teachings:
  
  • One of the five Chinese Chan (Zen) sects - Zen was the principal school of Buddhism in Song-China. Founded by Linji Yixuan (Rinzai Gigen, d. 867), whose name it takes. Prospered greatly in China, and later also in Japan as its teachings and practice were highly esteemed by Kyoto's aristocracy and the samurai class. 
  • Eisai (also called Yosai, 1141–1215) studied twice in China, of which the second and longest period in the Rinzai monastery Jingdesi. Upon his return to Japan in 1191, bringing with him Zen scriptures and tea seeds, he founded Shofuku-ji in Kyushu, Japan's first Zen temple. In 1202 he founded Kenninji in Kyoto.
    
  • Rinzai Zen puts stress on koan (mind-twisters with no rational answers) and a sudden, sometimes violent, enlightenment. Vigorous meditation, sharp verbal exchanges between master and student, and the use of blows with a rod and shouts (katsu) are integral to Rinzai practice. Koan were used to discourage students from rationalization and drive them toward a direct perception of self and reality.
  • Japanese understanding of Rinzai practice was greatly enhanced by Chinese emigre masters who began to come to Japan after the mid-13th c. 
  • The Rinzai monasteries were linked by the shogunate into an officially sponsored network headed by five great monasteries in Kamakura and five in Kyoto (gozan). Under the leadership of monks as Muso Soseki Rinzai Zen reached its apogee of religious, political and cultural influence in the 14th and 15th centuries.
    
  • Because of its more worldly character and its eclecticism, as well as reliance on powerful and wealthy sponsors, Rinzai Zen has left a deep imprint on Japanese culture, such as ink painting and the tea ceremony. 
    
  • The Rinzai sect has 14 sub-schools in japan.
• Founder: Eisai in 1191
• Head temple: Myoshinji (Kyoto), Kenchoji (Kamakura), etc.
• Other important temples: Engakuji (Kamakura), Kenninji (Kyoto), Tofukuji (Kyoto), Tenryuji (Kyoto), Nanzenji (Kyoto), Shokokuji (Kyoto), Daitokuji (Kyoto), Eigenji (Shiga Pref.), Zuiganji (Miyagi Pref.), Eihoji (Gifu Pref.)
  
• Main image: Shaka Nyorai
• Style of temples: There are no interesting statues in Rinzai Zen temples, but they have beautiful architecture with clean lines, and there are often great landscape gardens. Thanks to the connection with wealthy donors, the temples regularly possess magnificent screen paintings as well. Rinzai Zen temples are very much worth visiting.
  
• Basic scripture: Prajnaparamita Sutras, incl. the Heart Sutra
  
• One of Japan's three Zen schools
• 342,185 followers; 3,384 temples
  
• http://zen.rinnou.net/

[Eisai]

(11) Soto Zen Buddhism

• Soto-shu (Ch. Caodong)
  
• Teachings:
  
  • One of the five Chinese Chan (Zen) sects - Zen was the principal school of Buddhism in Song-China. Established by Dogen who had studied in China under Zhangweng Rujing (Choo Nyojo) and returned in 1227 to Japan. 
    
  • Compared to Rinzai, which advocates a more active form of meditation upon a brief Zen story (koan) under the direction of a Zen master, Soto places a greater emphasis on a tranquil form of meditation sitting.
    
  • Another difference with the more cultured Rinzai school is that Soto places more emphasis on a simple and austere life for the monks, who eat sparse vegetarian meals and do manual work around the grounds of their temple.
    
  • This goes back to the fact that Dogen disliked to engage in worldly affairs and hated to submit to the authority and power of the government. He therefore built his head temple Eiheiji in the mountains of Fukui Prefecture, far from Kyoto. (After the sect grew, this lonely location became a negative point, so in the Meiji period a second head temple was set up in Yokohama.)
    
  • Soto Zen first stood in the shadow of Rinzai, but became one of the largest Japanese Buddhist sects after moving into the provinces; it especially flourished in the Edo period, when it took over many small, abandoned temples in the countryside and profited from the government rule that every family had to be registered at a temple.
    
• Founder: Dogen in 1227
• Head temples: Eiheiji (Fukui Pref.), Sojiji (Yokohama)
  
• Other important temples: Sojiji (Monzen, Ishikawa Pref.), Shisendo (Kyoto), Zuiryuji (Takaoka, Toyama Pref), Daijoji (Kanazawa), Shuzenji (Shizuoka Pref.), Osorezan Bodaiji (Aomori Pref.)
• Main image: Shaka Nyorai
• Style of temples: There are no statues in Soto Zen temples; usually they are much more simple than Rinzai temples as the link with aristocratic sponsors is lacking. There are exceptions like Eiheiji and Sojiji in Monzen, but usually Soto Zen temples are culturally uninteresting.
• Basic scripture: Prajnaparamita Sutras, incl. the Heart Sutra
• One of Japan's three Zen schools
• Now 1,554,000 followers; 14,619 temples
  
• https://www.sotozen.com/eng/ 

[Dogen]

(12) Obaku Zen Buddhism

• Obaku-shu
• Teachings:
  
  • The last Buddhist sect to arrive from China was Obaku Zen, 400 years after the Rinzai and Soto sects. In China, it was an offshoot from the Rinzai sect. 
  • Japanese Obaku temples preserve the architecture of Ming China, such as "dragon gates," and feature Chinese sculpture as Hotei and Rakan (arhats). 
  • Obaku mixes Zen with Nenbutsu and Esoteric practices. 
  • It also brought a Chinese-influenced vegetarian cuisine, fucha-ryori, to Japan. 
  • In 1654, Ingen, the head priest of Manpukuji on Mt Obaku in China, came to Japan where he founded the Japanese Manpukuji. Mokuan, his chief disciple, succeeded as chief priest in 1664. Chinese monks became successive heads of this temple, until Ryuto, the 14th head priest, who was the first Japanese monk in that position.
• Founder: Ingen in 1661
• Head temple: Manpukuji (Uji, Kyoto Pref.)
  
• Other important temples: Shofukuji (Nagasaki), Kofukuji (Nagasaki) 
  
• Main image: Shaka Nyorai
• Style of temples: Chinese type architecture and statues make the major Obaku temples as Manpukuji and Shofukuji interesting.
• Basic scripture: Prajnaparamita Sutras, incl. the Heart Sutra
• One of Japan's three Zen schools
• 350,000 followers; 451 temples
  
• http://zen.rinnou.net/
  

[Ingen]

 

The other large stream of populist Buddhism besides Amidism, is Nichiren Buddhism, with more than 11 million followers. Nichiren was a rather fierce evangelist who insisted that the only true teaching lies in invocations of the title of the Lotus Sutra.

(13) Nichiren Buddhism

• Nichiren-shu (Lotus Sect)
  
• Teachings:
  
  • Nichiren (1222-1282) considers the Lotus Sutra as the basic scripture, like the Tendai sect does, but with an important difference: he teaches that by reciting only the name of this text (called daimoku, “Namu Myohorenge-kyo”) we can become one with the eternal Buddha and gain enlightenment. This simple practice is in some way comparable to the Nenbutsu (and probably the reason why Nichiren was a fierce opponent of the Pure Land sects). The daimoku is chanted in loud tones, often in groups, to the accompaniment of drums and gongs.
    
  • Nichiren denounced all other schools on the ground that their teachings refer to salvation only in the next world. According to him, only the Lotus Sutra teaches how to live in this world. 
  • The most sacred icon for Nichiren followers is what is called a "mandala" of the invocation "Namu Myoho Rengekyo" in Nichiren's bristling script (often taking the place of a statue on the altar).
    
  • Since he wrote the Rissho Ankokuron ("The establishment of righteousness in the rule of the country") trying to persuade the government to be ruled by his teaching, he was punished and exiled to the Isle of Sado. Later he was pardoned and built Kuonji temple on Mt Minobu, where he settled for the rest of his life. His patriotic spirit accelerated the rise of new nationalistic subsects which we see in contemporary Japan. 
  • The sect knew various schisms: the designation "Nichiren Sect" includes all the branches of the sect except those founded by Nikko (the Honmon and Nichiren-sho sects).  
• Founder: Nichiren in 1253
• Head temple: Kuonji (Minobu, Yamanashi Pref.)
  
• Other important temples: Nakayama Hokekyoji (Chiba Pref.), Ikegami Honmonji (Tokyo), Shibamata Taishakuten (Tokyo), Seichoji (Chiba Pref.), Tanjoji (Chiba Pref.), Myojoji (Ishikawa Pref.)
  
• Main image: Shaka Nyorai (and Nichiren himself)
• Style of temples: Nichiren temples are usually large like Shin temples, and similarly lack statues and other art works (with the only exception of Kuonji, which has a small museum). In contrast to Zen temples, there are no interesting buildings or gardens. The image of Nichiren usually occupies a more important place than that of Sakyamuni himself (as if the sect were a cult of Nichiren).
  
• Basic scripture: Hokekyo (Lotus Sutra)
  
• 3,853,592 followers; 4,636 temples
  
• https://www.nichiren.or.jp/english/
  
  

[Nichiren]

So, when you are mainly interested in Buddhist art like me (architecture, sculpture, paintings, implements, and gardens) the best temples to visit qua sect are:

• The Nara temples (Hosso, Kegon and Ritsu)
• Tendai and Shingon temples
• Rinzai Zen temples
  
  

I have used multiple sources for this article, among others: Nihon no Koji 101sen (Seibido Shuppan, 2019); Japanese-English Buddhist Dictionary (Daito Shuppansha, 1999); The Shambala Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen (Shambala, 1991); Kinoshita & Palevsky, Gateway to Japan (Kodansha, 1990); Deal & Ruppert, A Cultural History of Japanese Buddhism (Wiley Blackwell, 2015); Japan, An Illustrated Encyclopedia (Kodansha, 1993); Shukyo Nenkan Heisei 28 (Bunkacho); Bukkyokai Data Rinku-shu (Kohzansha).

All images are from Wikimedia Commons.