<P> In modern times, Japan's most popular schools of Buddhism are Pure Land Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, Shingon Buddhism and Zen . As of 2008, approximately 34% of the Japanese identify as Buddhists and the number has been growing since the 1980s, in terms of membership in organized religion . However, in terms of practice, 75% practice some form of Buddhism (compared with 90% practicing Shinto, thus most Japanese practice both religions to some extent (Shinbutsu - shūgō)). About 60% of the Japanese have a Butsudan (Buddhist shrine) in their homes . </P> <P> The arrival of Buddhism in China is ultimately a consequence of the first contacts between China and Central Asia, where Buddhism had spread from the Indian subcontinent . These contacts occurred with the opening of the Silk Road in the 2nd century BCE, following the travels of Zhang Qian between 138 and 126 BCE . These contacts culminated with the official introduction of Buddhism in China in 67 CE . Historians generally agree that by the middle of the 1st century, the religion had penetrated to areas north of the Huai River in China . </P> <P> According to the Book of Liang, which was written in 635, five Buddhist monks from Gandhara traveled to Japan in 467 . At the time, they referred to Japan as Fusang (Chinese: 扶桑; Japanese pronunciation: Fusō), the name of a mythological country to the extreme east beyond the sea: </P> <P> Fusang is located to the east of China, 20,000 li (1,500 kilometers) east of the state of Da Han (大漢, "China") (itself east of the state of Wa in modern Kansai region, Japan). (...) In former times, the people of Fusang knew nothing of the Buddhist religion, but in the second year of Da Ming of the Song Dynasty (467), five monks from Kipin (Kabul region of Gandhara) travelled by ship to Fusang . They propagated Buddhist doctrine, circulated scriptures and drawings, and advised the people to relinquish worldly attachments . As a result the customs of Fusang changed . </P>

Buddhism was transmitted to japan by way of