Buddhism And Cultural Diplomacy: A Bridge In India–Japan Relations

Policy Update
Rashmi Kumari

Introduction

India-Japan relations have been in the news for trade agreements, technology partnerships, security engagement, and strategic affairs in the Indo-Pacific. But beyond these tangible elements, there is a much deeper relationship associated with shared culture and spirituality- Buddhism. Asia’s Buddhism originated in India as the ‘path of the Buddha’, and was adopted by Japan as a philosophy to guide their lives.

Buddhism creates a connection well beyond any numbers or agreements previously mentioned. This connection has established a silent, mutual regard and trust for each country grounded in a sense of shared heritage. Therefore, the countries are producing ‘soft power’ which has brought the nations closer genuinely, and created cultural and moral depth as a partnership where strategy often defines the relationship.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha%27s_Birthday

Historical Foundations: The Journey of Buddhism

Origin in India (6th Century BCE)

Buddhism began in India in the 6th century BCE, when Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya as the Buddha. His teachings on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path emphasised compassion, mindfulness, and freedom from suffering. In the 3rd century BCE, Emperor Ashoka spread Buddhism across Asia, and by the 1st century CE, it reached China, later evolving into Zen in Japan.

Arrival in Japan (6th Century CE)

Buddhism entered Japan in 552 CE with a Buddha image from Baekje envoys. Initially resisted, it gained acceptance under Prince Shōtoku, who wove Buddhist ethics into Japan’s first constitution. By the 7th century, Nara temples showed Nalanda’s influence, while schools like Tendai and Shingon localised teachings. Over time, Zen deeply shaped Japanese art, rituals, tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and samurai discipline.

Cultural Integration

While Buddhism in India retained a largely monastic and philosophical identity, in Japan it became deeply cultural. Zen shaped minimalist aesthetics, architecture, and rituals of daily discipline. One of the most powerful symbols of India-Japan ties is the consecration of the Great Buddha at Tōdaiji Temple in 752 CE, led by the Indian monk Bodhisena, a lasting reminder of how Buddhism built a bridge between the two civilisations.

Foundations of the India-Japan Connection

Image Source: The delegates of the International Buddhist Conclave- 2018

The transmission of Buddhism from India to Japan was not merely religious- it was civilisational. Buddhism moulded Japanese philosophy, art, and ethics while simultaneously embedding reverence for India as the Buddha’s homeland.

Even in the modern era, this shared heritage became a foundation for diplomacy. After World War II, the Nipponzan Myōhōji order drew on Ashokan ideals of non-violence to build Shanti Stupas (Peace Pagodas) worldwide. Recognising the enduring bond, India and Japan signed a Cultural Agreement in 1956, institutionalising cooperation in education, art, and spirituality.

From Bodh Gaya to Kyoto, the journey of Buddhism continues to serve as the historical foundation of Indo-Japanese engagement.

Key Personalities: Ambassadors of the Dharma

Bodhisena (8th century): An Indian monk who travelled to Japan and performed the eye-opening ceremony for Nara’s Great Buddha.

Prince Shōtoku: Integrated Buddhist ethics into Japan’s first constitution, promoting unity and moral governance.

Swami Vivekananda (1893): His visit to Japan opened intellectual exchanges on Buddhism and Vedanta.

Rabindranath Tagore: Advocated a pan-Asian identity, highlighting Buddhism as a shared value.

Jawaharlal Nehru: Gifted a Bodhi tree sapling to Japan in the 1950s, symbolising renewed cultural ties.

Subhas Chandra Bose: Found ideological and political support in Japan, often invoking Buddhist-inspired ideas of liberation.

Buddhism in Numbers

In India, Buddhists make up less than 1% of the population, mainly in Maharashtra, Ladakh, and Bihar, yet sites like Bodh Gaya and Sarnath remain global pilgrimage hubs. In Japan, about a third identify as Buddhist, but nearly 70% still observe rituals, supported by 75,000 temples and strong sects like Pure Land and Nichiren. Worldwide, Buddhism counts around 500 million followers, with East Asia as its core.

Modern Diplomacy: Buddhism as Soft Power

Image Source: https://www.e-ir.info/2023/08/31/indias-use-of-buddhism-soft-power-soft-balancing/

Cultural Outreach by India:
India has increasingly used Buddhism in diplomacy, highlighting its role as the faith’s birthplace.
Hosted the Global Buddhist Summit in 2023, where Japan actively participated
Exchanged Bodhi tree saplings and Buddha relics with Buddhist nations, including Japan, as symbols of friendship.
Japan’s Commitment:
Recognised Buddhism as part of its civilizational tie with India in the 2014 Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Contributed to Nalanda University’s revival and invested in India’s Buddhist Circuit development.
Joint Initiatives:
In 2025, India and Japan plan to set up a Joint Working Group on Tourism to facilitate Japanese pilgrimages to Indian Buddhist sites.
Collaborative promotion of circuits like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar will strengthen cultural tourism.
Soft Alternative in the Indo-Pacific:
Amid rising regional rivalries, Buddhism provides a values-based framework of compassion, non-violence, and respect.
Unlike state-driven cultural diplomacy, India–Japan exchanges project authentic, people-to-people connections.
Strategic Value:
Buddhism creates a reservoir of trust in bilateral relations.
Adds cultural depth and moral resonance to an otherwise strategic partnership.

Cultural Exchanges: People-to-People Connections

Tourism and Pilgrimage: Pre-COVID, more than 200,000 Japanese visited India annually, many undertaking pilgrimages to Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar. Investments in Uttar Pradesh’s sacred sites are expected to expand this flow.
Art and Literature: Gandhara art exhibitions (blending Indian and Greco-Buddhist forms) frequently travel between museums in India and Japan. Literary works like Buddhist Exchanges Between India and Japan capture the intellectual depth of these ties.
Pop Culture: Japanese anime and manga often incorporate Buddhist imagery and themes, resonating with Indian audiences, while yoga and mindfulness programs in Japan increasingly blend Buddhist and Indian traditions.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

Limited domestic base in India – With Buddhists forming less than 1% of the population, India’s Buddhist diplomacy is sometimes seen as lacking grassroots authenticity.
Shifting identity in Japan – Many younger Japanese increasingly identify as non-religious, even though Buddhist customs and festivals remain part of cultural life.
Practical hurdles – Language differences, lengthy visa procedures, and the slow rebound of international tourism after COVID-19 continue to limit the scale of pilgrimages and exchanges.

Opportunities

Eco-tourism – Buddhism’s values of simplicity and harmony with nature can guide sustainable tourism models in sacred circuits.
Joint global leadership – Shared ideals of compassion and the “middle way” can allow India and Japan to shape international debates on issues like climate change, AI ethics, and peacebuilding.
Cultural branding – Collaborative initiatives such as Varanasi–Kyoto city twinning, digital pilgrim applications, and joint heritage exhibitions can highlight Buddhist circuits and bring soft power to the forefront.

Conclusion

If geopolitics is considered the head of India-Japan relations, Buddhism is undoubtedly the heart. The passage of Buddhism from Bodh Gaya and its flourishing in Nara created not just a religious link; it forged a bridge of civilisation. A Japanese pilgrim meditates under the Bodhi tree, or a student from India walks through Zen gardens in Kyoto, and the heritage and legacy come to life.

In a world where nations are vying for influence through hard power, India and Japan have made the conscious decision to draw upon their shared spiritual past. Buddhism gives its partnership moral authority, cultural authenticity, and people-to-people warmth. More than just history, it offers a lens for imagining a future Asia built upon compassion, harmony, and peace.

References:

Embassy of India, Tokyo. (2017). Year of Japan-India Friendly Exchanges. Government of India. https://www.indembassy-tokyo.gov.in
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). (2002). Ex-post evaluation report on Ajanta-Ellora Conservation and Tourism Development Project. Government of Japan. https://www.jica.go.jp
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. (2021, October 20). Prime Minister inaugurates Kushinagar International Airport on Abhidhamma Day. https://mea.gov.in
Nalanda University. (2017). Nalanda University signs MoU with Kanazawa University, Japan. http://nalandauniv.edu.in
Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE). (n.d.). Buddhism in Japan. Stanford University. https://spice.fsi.stanford.edu
World Bank Group / International Finance Corporation (IFC). (2014). Buddhist Circuit tourism strategy for South Asia. Washington, DC: World Bank. https://documents.worldbank.org
World History Encyclopedia. (2019, September 24). Introduction of Buddhism to Japan. https://www.worldhistory.org