天竺 🇮🇳
"Tenjiku" (天竺) refers to ancient India, especially when Buddhism was influential. It was a holy land because Buddhism began in India and from there spread to China and Japan. The name was used widely in historical literature and texts in Japan to describe India as a far-off mysterious land of spirituality and wisdom. Historically speaking, Tenjiku (天竺) was the generic term in old Japan for India. It is borrowed from Chinese pronunciation of the term "Tiānzhú" (天竺) itself, used as a designation for India during ancient and medieval periods. Tenjiku in Japanese History 1. Buddhism and Cultural Influence India (Tenjiku) was greatly esteemed in Japan as the origin of Buddhism. Japanese scholars, monks, and emperors regarded India as a holy land of knowledge. Numerous Buddhist scriptures, doctrines, and practices were introduced to Japan through China and Korea. The renowned Japanese monk Kūkai (774–835), the originator of the Shingon school of Buddhism, extensively lea...