Comparison to Western music
Western music: theories from Greece; practice of Catholic Church.
Japanese: theories from China; practice of Buddhist monks.

Importation from Asia: Nara/Heian period (8th-12th cent.)
Japanese monks visited Chinese monasteries learning sutras.
Chinese, Indian monks visited Japan.

Types of chant
bonsan (Sanskrit)
kansan (Chinese)
wasan (Japanese)

Buddhist music theory
Scales: pentatonic with two additional tones for modulation
 Ryo - based on D or G
 Ritsu - based on E or B
 Hanryo hanritsu - based on A
Differences between ryo and ritsu:
3rd degree of the five main pitches is half step lower in ryo scale
Certain ornamentation used either in ritsu or ryo: e.g. yuri (wavering of pitch)

Buddhist ritual instruments: used to mark progress of the service
Densho/hansho (large bronze bell)
Kei (chime)
Rei (handbell with inside clapper)
Kin (bowl-shaped bell on cushion)
Mokugyo (wooden slit gong)
Uchiwa-daiko (fan drum; used by Nichiren sect)
 O-gane (large bronze bell)
Han (wooden plaque)

Buddhist folk music and festivals
 Development of popular Buddhist movements: vernacular language.
Hymns written for rural population absorbed into folk music traditions.
Obon (late summer festival of the dead):
 antiphonal folk songs (ondo) accompany Obon dances.

Summary: Buddhist music serves as a basis for later musical forms.