Buddhism Introduced to Japan 

In the 550’s B.C.E., Buddhism was developed in India. About 1,000 years later, it was introduced to Japan from China through Korea.

Buddhism teaches there is an endless cycle of birth, death & rebirth. But, followers of Buddhism can escape the cycle by being taught

a practice called the Eightfold Path. In which it leads to enlightened peace. With this in progress, the follower who achieves enlightment

will enter a state of perfect peace called nirvana, where they'll never be in a life of suffering. The founder, Siddhartha Gautama became

the Budda, or the "enlightened one."

In 552, A Korean king sent a statue to the Japanese emperor of the Budda & a note for the new religion, Mahayana. After a fierce controversy,

the emperor and the court adopted the new religion, Mahayana. Later rulers, like Prince Shotoku, learned more about Buddhism from China. Now,

even today, ceremonies of birth & marriage come from Shinto, the joyful religion. And funeral ceremonies are Buddhist, the religion that knows the

value of suffering & pain.

Bibliography

Bower, Bert & Lobdell, Jim. "History Alive! The Medieval World & Beyond." Palo Alto, CA, Teachers' Curriculum Institute, 2005 

http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/buddhism/buddhism-video-transcript.cfm