Azuchi religious debate
Encyclopedia
The took place between monks of the Nichiren
and Jōdo
sects of Japanese Buddhism
, at Oda Nobunaga
's Azuchi Castle
in 1579.
Nobunaga, who effectively ruled over all of Japan at the time, had a long history of low tolerance for violence or competition for power from religious groups. Following a number of disturbances caused by Nichiren followers intolerant of Jōdo thought or practices, Nobunaga sought to resolve the matter through a discussion.
In the end, he ordered the Nichiren supporters responsible for the disturbances to be executed, including the preacher Fuden Nichimon. The Nichiren establishment apologized for its transgressions and promised to be more tolerant in the future, but a large indemnity was still imposed upon it.
Nichiren
Nichiren was a Buddhist monk who lived during the Kamakura period in Japan. Nichiren taught devotion to the Lotus Sutra, entitled Myōhō-Renge-Kyō in Japanese, as the exclusive means to attain enlightenment and the chanting of Nam-Myōhō-Renge-Kyō as the essential practice of the teaching...
and Jōdo
Jodo
, meaning "the way of the jō", or is a Japanese martial art using short staffs called jō. The art is similar to bōjutsu, and is strongly focused upon defense against the Japanese sword. The jō is a short staff, usually about 3 to 5 feet long...
sects of Japanese Buddhism
Buddhism in Japan
The history of Buddhism in Japan can be roughly divided into three periods, namely the Nara period , the Heian period and the post-Heian period . Each period saw the introduction of new doctrines and upheavals in existing schools...
, at Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...
's Azuchi Castle
Azuchi Castle
' was one of the primary castles of Oda Nobunaga. It was built from 1576 to 1579, on the shores of Lake Biwa, in Ōmi Province. Nobunaga intentionally built it close enough to Kyoto that he could watch over and guard the approaches to the capital, but, being outside the city, his fortress would be...
in 1579.
Nobunaga, who effectively ruled over all of Japan at the time, had a long history of low tolerance for violence or competition for power from religious groups. Following a number of disturbances caused by Nichiren followers intolerant of Jōdo thought or practices, Nobunaga sought to resolve the matter through a discussion.
In the end, he ordered the Nichiren supporters responsible for the disturbances to be executed, including the preacher Fuden Nichimon. The Nichiren establishment apologized for its transgressions and promised to be more tolerant in the future, but a large indemnity was still imposed upon it.