In the Heian period, Esoteric Buddhism became popular in accordance with the introductions of the Tendai sect by Saicho and the Shingon sect by Kukai, and Mappo-shiso (the "end of the world" belief) and Jodo-shinko (the Pure Land faith) were in full flourish, and as a result, more and more nobles and people around the capital came to believe in Buddhism.
平安時代には最澄による天台宗、空海による真言宗の導入による密教の流行、末法思想・浄土信仰の隆盛などの契機を経験し、貴族層や都周辺の人々による仏教信仰は拡大しつつあった。