![The Womb World (Taizōkai) Mandala. Photo by Gereon Kopf](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Mandala-e1624029565556.jpg)
Buddhism in Japan introduces the histories, practices, and beliefs of various Buddhist schools, thinkers, and practitioners in Japan. It explores popular as well as little known faces of Buddhism in Japan through the reflections on texts, explorations of religious sites, and encounters with practitioners.
Primarily authored by Gereon Kopf, a Professor in the religion department at Luther College, Iowa, USA and the founding editor of the Journal of Buddhist Philosophy.
Buddhism in Japan is published bi-monthly.
![The Womb World (Taizōkai) Mandala. Photo by Gereon Kopf](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Mandala-e1624029565556.jpg)
![The altar of Kaikō-ji (Sakata, Yamagata) featuring the cosmic Mahāvairocana. According to the priestess of Kaikō-ji, the other form is Amaterasu. Photo by the author](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/04425e1b0e0da7fb48f170e7caf4dd1c_715__2-e1624592525808.jpg)
Japanese Buddhism 101: The Search for the Buddha
Doctrinal Buddhist beliefs and practices in Japan
![Gojoraku, bugaku dance performed at Ise Shrine. Watercolor painting by Chiang Yee, 1971, reproduced in The Silent Traveler in Japan, Norton Books, 1972](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/image10-35-e1624637677529-768x503.jpg)
The Very Long Life of Bugaku
Beauty and antiquity, order and dignity . . .
![A view of the verandah of the main hall of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. Photo by the author](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/9416e1945bf94b564e86bbc924517d7e_715__2-e1624715994104.jpg)
Kiyomizu-dera: Kyoto’s Temple of Pure Water in Legend and Art
A place of tranquility and reflection
![Remembering the dead on Yamadera. Image courtesy of the author](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Yamadera2-e1624727660503.png)
![A ninth century seated Taishakuten at Tō-ji in Kyoto. From tokyoweekender.com](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Image-3-Toji-Taishakuten-e1624763824857.jpg)
At the Center of It All: Taishakuten Iconography
The immutable protector and chief of the Guardian Kings
![Fudō myōō. Photo by Dr. Yōko Seiki](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Fudo-e1624804721234-768x553.jpg)
![Zо̄chо̄ten ryuzo. Kamakura period (1185-1333). Image courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/8b0077b2eb47850b5f988fff08ce44df_715__2-e1624886258650.jpg)
The King of the South: Zо̄chо̄ten Iconography
A look at the “Lord who expands” in Japanese art
![The far end of Mt. Osore, where the spirits of the dead are believed to be relieved into the other world. Photo by the author](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/505ec3f9ba579362716331e34170c9ec_715__2-e1624894980158.jpg)
Who Will I Be? Japanese Buddhist Conceptions of the Afterlife
Concepts of self and no-self at the end of life
![The shitennо̄, contemporary sculpture, boxwood. From japanloverme-store.com](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/b64582fb0f2dff2c974f71f6d9c0f0c0_715__2.jpg)
The King of the East: Jikokuten Iconography
Protectors of the Buddhist cosmos
![A typical Shuramono Noh stage, featuring the ghost warrior on the left and a seated priest on the right. From wikimedia.org](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/f138658bd1425d9343db8ad51e93ba38_715__2.jpg)
Pure Land Buddhism in Noh: The Shuramono Plays of Zeami
Tales of ghost warriors and salvation
![The song Bodhisattva Vow by the Beastie Boys recounts the story of Sadāparibhūta Bodhisattva. From hollywoodreporter.com](https://www.buddhistdoor.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/dc29a3fcb062bcd21444f8bb614a194f_715__2-e1624808019467.jpg)
“Beauty that Floats on Mud”
Illuminations of the Lotus Sutra