You’re correct. The vast majority of Buddhist liturgy in Japan is preserved in what’s called Sino-Japanese, which is basically just Classical Chinese with a Japanese pronunciation. This was frequently used in literature in early Japan (Nara and Heian Period), particularly by officials (read: men) but it also was used for Buddhist liturgy as well.

There are cases where Buddhist liturgy in Japan uses more vernacular (albeit old) Japanese, but these are usually for hymnals and such, particularly in Jodo Shinshu school. These often get confused with ‘sutras’ as well.

Also, mantras are recited in some Buddhist schools, and these are almost always recited in Sanskrit with a Japanese pronunciation. This is due to the efforts of pioneers like Kukai who went to China, learned Sanskrit from Indian masters there, and transliterated the mantras close to verbatim as possible in Japanese.

However, back to your question, actual Buddhist sutras are always recited in the Classical Chinese. These had been translated from Sanskrit to Chinese at teh time (Tang-Dynasty-era Chinese), and when Japan imported these same sutras from Chinese, they simply preserved the existing language used. This is true with Korea and Vietnam as well. So yes, when people recite sutras, it’s in Classical Chinese with Japanese pronunciation.

Hope that helps,
Doug

I just found your blog today as I was doing some research about Asakusa and Sensô-ji. I’m delighted to have found it and I’ve joined as a follower!

I’m living in Tokyo now doing research for a dissertation on Japanese music, and I’m wondering if you could tell me what you know about the language in which sutras are normally chanted in Japan and Sensô-ji in particular. You mention here that your book from Sensô-ji is printed in “classical Chinese characters” with Japanese pronunciation guide. Does that mean that the chants performed at the temple, for example, are in the classical Chinese language?

I would very much appreciate any clarification you could provide!!

Keep up the good work on your blog. I will definitely keep reading!

Best,
Megan

http://mahajana.net/teksty/zeszyt_sutr/zeszyt_sutr4ht.html#Q1-1-61

I can’t tell for sure if this is the whole chapter or just the verse section, but I’ll delve into it soon. Thanks for reminded me of this. This would help me a lot in shortening the amount of effort I need to put up my own version someday (with the Kanji interspersed like the other sutras I put up).

Update: Someone beat me to it: http://myohorengekyokannonkyo.blogspot.com/

ha ha ha, well done.