Chronology of Buddhism ...

(Adapted from: "A Guide To Buddhism," International Buddhist Exchange Center, 1970, Yokohama Japan. Hanayama Shoyu, et al, editors.)

623 B.C.E.-- Birth of Gautama Siddhartha (Buddha) (Theravada Tradition)

565 -- Birth of Gautama Siddhartha (Mahayana Tradition)

543 -- Passing of the Buddha (Theravada Tradition)

486 -- Passing of the Buddha (Mahayana Tradition)

271 -- King Asoka's Accession to the Throne 

ca. 271 -- Introduction of Buddhism to Burma, Ceylon, Central Asia by King Asoka; Compilation of the Buddhist Scriptures sponsored by King Asoka

67 C.E.-- Buddhism introduced into China

ca. 350 -- Buddhism introduced into Korea

538 or 552 --Buddhism introduced into Japan

574 -- Prince Shotoku born

594 -- Imperial decree encouraging promulgation of Buddhism 

604 -- The Seventeen-Article Constitution promulgated by Prince Shotoku

607 -- Horyu-ji Temple built 

615 -- "Commentaries on the Three Scriptures" by Prince Shotoku completed

621 or 622 -- Prince Shotoku died

712 -- The Kojiki (Ancient Chronicle) composed

720 -- The Nihon-shoki (Chronicles of Japan) composed

752 -- The Huge Statue of the Vairocana Buddha of the Todai-ji Temple of Nara completed

770 -- One Million Miniature Stupas (Pagodas) built 

794 -- Capital moved from Nara to Kyoto

805  -- Saicho (767-822) established Tendai Buddhism

806  -- Kukai (774-835) established Shingon Buddhism 

822 --  Mahayana Disciplines established

972 -- Kuya (b. 903), an advocator of the Pure Land Faith, died

985  -- Genshin (944-1017) wrote the 0-jo-yo-shu ("Collection of Essential Documents to Attain the Birth in the Pure Land")

1124  -- Ryonin (1072-1132) founded the Yuzu-gatari

1175 -- Honen (1133-1212) founded the Jodo Denomination

1191 -- Eisai (1141-1215) founded Rinzai Zen Buddhism

1224 -- Shinran (1173-1262) founded the Jodo-Shin Denomination

1227 -- Dogen (1200-53) founded Soto Zen

1252 -- The Huge Image of Amida Buddha at Kamakura cast

1253 -- Nichiren (1222-82) founded Nichiren Buddhism

1274 -- The First Mongolian Invasion

1275 -- Ippen (1239-89) founded the Ji Denomination

1281 -- The Second Mongolian Invasion 

1336 -- Muromachi Shogunate established 

1339 -- The Moss-garden of the Saiho-ji Temple in Kyoto built

1384 -- Kan-ami (b. 1333), a writer of Noh Dharma, died

1397 -- The Kinkaku-ji Temple or the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto built

1499 -- The Rock-garden of the Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto built; Rennyo (b. 1415), restorer of Jodo-Shin Buddhism, died

1543 -- Portuguese landed on Tanega-shima Island, and rifles introduced

1549 -- Christianity introduced by Francis Xavier 

1582 -- Christian Youths Delegates started for Rome

1586 -- Toyotomi Hideyoshi became Japanese Prime Minister

1591 -- Sen-no-rikyu (b. 1520), founder of the Tea Ceremony, died

1602 -- The Jodo-Shin Denomination Split into the Higashi (East) and the Nishi (West) Hongan-ji Schools

1603 -- Tokugawa lyeyasu established Edo Shogunate

1613 -- The Danka System or the Family-temple system formed

1639 -- Japan closed the door to foreigners 

1654 -- Ingen or Yin-yuan (1592-1673) introduced the Obaku Denomination of Zen Buddhism 

1681 -- Buddhist Scriptures in Chinese Version published by Tetsugen

1687 -- The killing of animals prohibited by Law

1853 -- Commodore Perry came to Japan

1868 --  Buddhism suppressed by the Shintoists, the Meiji Restoration and Nationalists; capital moved

1872 -- Celibacy and vegetarianism given up by governmental permission; Ban on Christianity cancelled; women admitted to any Buddhist temple.

1873 -- Religions in Japan put under government control

1894-95 -- The Sino-Japanese War

1904-95 -- The Russo-Japanese War

1934  -- Taisho Edition of the Buddhist Scriptures in Chinese version completed in 100 volumes 

1941  -- World War II begins

1945 -- Japan surrendered to the Allied Powers

1946 -- The New Constitution of Japan promulgated; franchise given to women.

1951 -- The Religious Juridical Persons Law; Japan's Peace Treaty enforced 

1952 -- The Second World Buddhists' Conference held in Tokyo

1959 -- Buddha Jayanti held in Japan

1968 -- International Buddhist Exchange Center incorporated (HANAYAMA).