Nara = first capital in ancient Japan
Emperor Genmei in 710 C.E
Buddhism was made the ‘guardian of the state’.
The Fujiwara Clan dominated the government of Japan from 794-1160 C.E. (Nara period to the Heian period)
shogunate = dictatorship
bakufus = warrior dictatorships
Economic Development = shōens = tax-free land grant estates, most owners Buddhist.
Society = centered on villages, capital at Nara created alienation.
Taika Reforms = breaking of shoen system, return all land to imperial family.
4 Articles:
Article I abolished the private ownership of land and workers.
Article II established a central capital.
Article III established population registers and provided for a census to be taken.
Article IV abolished the old forms of taxes.
6 Buddhist Schools:
1) Kusha school: This school teaches a form of Theravāda Buddhism based on the writing of Vasubandhu.
2) Jōjitsu school: This school is also known as the establishment of the Truth school. It is a form of Theravāda Buddhism from China based on the Sautrāntikas of India.
3) Sanron school: This is a Mahāyāna school from China.
4) Hossō school: This is a Mahᾱyᾱna school known as the ‘consciousness only’ or ‘mind only’ school.
5) Kegon school: This school is a Mahayana sect.
6) Ritsu School: This school placed emphasis on the importance of the Vinaya.
Scholars often designate Nara Buddhism as scholastic as the monks and nuns were busy studying the texts brought back from T’ang China.
Nara Buddhism set the foundation for all future sects and propagation throughout Japan.