Ryukoku University was founded in 1639 in Kyoto, based on the teachings of Saint Shinran (1173-1263). In post-war Japan, Buddhism has perhaps been regarded as a relatively conservative and largely domestic religion. And yet, Buddhism has played an important role as a strong link between Japanese and overseas cultures since it was first introduced here as a "world religion" in the 6th century. Many kinds of art, thought and other phenomena of foreign cultures have been imported to Japan through Buddhism.