Enryaku-ji (延暦寺, Enryaku-ji), a monastery on Mount Hiei overlooking Kyoto, was founded during the early Heian period. The temple complex was established by Saichō (767–822), also known as Dengyō Daishi, who introduced the Tendai sect to Japan from China. One of the most significant monasteries in Japanese history, it served as (and still is) the headquarters of the Tendai sect, the Buddhist sect that was popular among the aristocracy of the time ...
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Enryaku-ji (延暦寺, Enryaku-ji), a monastery on Mount Hiei overlooking Kyoto, was founded during the early Heian period. The temple complex was established by Saichō (767–822), also known as Dengyō Daishi, who introduced the Tendai sect to Japan from China. One of the most significant monasteries in Japanese history, it served as (and still is) the headquarters of the Tendai sect, the Buddhist sect that was popular among the aristocracy of the time and served as foundation for a number of later sects including the Pure Land, Zen, and Nichiren sects.
With the support of the Emperor Kammu, Saichō ordained a hundred disciples in 807. Maintaining a strict discipline on Mt Hiei, his monks lived in seclusion for twelve years of study and meditation. After this period of study, the best students were retained in positions in the monastery, and others graduated into positions in the government and court. At the peak of its power, Enryaku-ji was a huge complex of as many as 3000 sub-temples and a...
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