[Buddha-l] Religious, But is it the power of Kings?

[Dan Lusthaus]

> The text books seem in agreement that Buddhism was first introduced into
> Japan from Korea at the highest levels.

That's basically right, Bob. From the start, Japanese Buddhism was quite
literally the property of ruling class. The govt. built the temples,
controlled ordination, and supervised overseas contacts. Major monasteries
eventually developed their own military components, and were major players.
It was various forms of Pure Land that initially attracted wider popular
support (with their own peasant revolts and militaries), and that was after
the ruling elite had already been patronizing various forms of Buddhism for
some time.

Dan