Shin Buddhism in Modern Culture

Chapter 5 – Kamakura Buddhism: Buddhist Responses to History

Download (PDF, Unknown)

Multiple Choice Questions

  • 1. Up until the emergence of Kamakura Buddhism, Buddhism was monopolized by:
  • 2. Of the following, regarding Kamakura Buddhist leaders, which is FALSE? Each was:
  • 3. Several important features bound the Kamakura teachers who left Tendai to found new schools. Of the following, which was NOT one of these features?
  • 4. Of the Kamakura Buddhist leaders, which one dealt with history by conquering it within his consciousness?
  • 5. Which leader stressed the transciency of life and the need to practice as though it was our last day?
  • 6. Which Buddhist leader confronted history by pronouncing judgment and calling for truth to stave off disaster?
  • 7. Which Buddhist leader focused on the attainment of birth in the Pure Land (Jodo) through meritorious recitation of Nembutsu?
  • 8. Of the following characteristics of Kamakura Buddhism, which may be considered a negative factor? The new schools were:
Submit
Thought Questions

1. In studying a Buddhist teacher, or any religious figure, why is it important to understand the historical context out of which that person came? In other words, why should we be aware of the social and political conditions that surrounded that figure during his day?

2. Why did the Kamakura Buddhist leaders reject Tendai as an institution? Was it easy for them to do this?

3. Think about each of the Kamakura Buddhist leaders. How did each one resolve the problems of historical circumstance? How is this resolution reflected in the teachings of each leader?