(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).