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).
