Suggested topics for essays:
1. Assess critically Prince Shotoku’s contributions towards the spread of Buddhism in Japan.
2. Discuss the socio-political conditions at the time of the introduction of Buddhism to Japan in the 6th century C.E.
3. Discuss briefly the Buddhist schools introduced from China and comment on the characteristics of the Nara Buddhism.
4. Discuss critically the Five Periods and Eight Doctrines of the Tendai School of Buddhism in Japan.
5. Assess critically the contribution of the Tendai School towards the establishment of the Kamakura Buddhism.
6. Examine the origins of the Mappo Theory (Degeneration of True Dharma) in India and critically assess the impact it had upon the development of Buddhism in Japan.
7. The Jodo and Jodo-shin Schools of Amida-ism combined together became the most popular form of Buddhism in Japan: Discuss the salient teachings of the Pure Land form of Buddhism.
8. Discuss the basic teachings of Zen Buddhism.
9. Assess critically, with concrete examples, the Zen influence upon the cultural activities of the Japanese people.
10. Write briefly what you know about Nichiren Buddhism.