372 C.E. Buddhism is officially introduced to KOREAwith the
arrival of Chinese envoy and monk Sundo at the
Koguryo ̆court.
ca. 538 or 552 Buddhism is first introduced from the Korean penin-
sula to the rulers of JAPAN.
594 Prince SHOTOKU(574–622), a major patron of
Buddhism and national cultural hero, becomes regent
in Japan.
ca. 670 WO ̆NHYO(617–686), a prolific and influential
Korean commentator, seeks to reconcile doctrinal
positions of different Buddhist texts.
668 The Silla kingdom (ca. 57 B.C.E.–936 C.E.), defeating
Paekche (663) and Koguryo ̆(668), unifies the Korean
peninsula; Silla dynasty supports Buddhism as the
state religion.
710 The Japanese capital of Nara is established with
seven major Buddhist monasteries; the court later
sponsors six official schools of NARABUDDHISM.
822 SAICHO(767–822) establishes the Tendai school (the
Japanese TIANTAI SCHOOL).
ca. 823 The Japanese monk KUKAI(774–835) establishes
SHINGONBUDDHISM.
828 The first mountain site in the NINEMOUNTAINS
SCHOOL OFSO ̆N(the Korean CHAN SCHOOL) is
founded; eight other sites are established over the
next century.
918 Buddhism flourishes in Korea under the state patron-
age of the Koryo ̆dynasty (918–1392).
939