Enchin
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese Buddhist monk the founder of the Jimon
School of Tendai
Buddhism
, and Chief Abbot of Miidera at the foot of Mount Hiei
. After succeeding to the post of Tendai Zasu, or Chief Tendai Abbot, in 873, a strong rivalry developed between his followers and those of Ennin
's at the Enryakuji; (note: Ennin had died in 864).
The rivalry was largely geographical, and was not based much on sectarian differences over interpretations of practice or doctrine; nevertheless, the friction between the followers of the two zasu finally broke out into a violent conflict. Rivalres between the followers of different zasu was not anything new at that time. During his twelve years on Hiei, Enchin himself had seen a conflict between direct disciples of Saichō (namely Enchō
and Kosho
) and the disciples of his own master, the second Tendai zasu Gishin. After the death of Gishin his main follower Enshu was elected to be the third zasu but Enchō and Kosho objected and finally forced Enshu with his followers to leave Mount Hiei.
Most significantly, Enchin united the Tendai school's teachings with those of Esoteric Buddhism, and interpreted the Lotus Sutra
from the point of view of the Esoteric teachings as well as used Tendai terminology in order to explain the esoteric Mahavairocana Sutra.
Enchin is said to have supported the worship of native gods, and certain elements of Confucianism
. In a memorial speech in 887, he is said to have discussed the respect T'ang China
had for Japan because of Japan's encouragement and welcoming of the ideals of Li (Propriety) and Yi (Righteousness). He warned that though Enryakuji was founded with the native gods (kami
) in mind, neither Enryakuji nor Miidera were at the time worshipping the gods of Mount Hiei, and that this was a dangerous violation of Confucian principles.
Jimon and Sammon
' and ', also known as the Enchin and Ennin factions respectively, were rival branches of Tendai Buddhism created in the 9th century and based on Mount Hiei just outside Kyoto....
School of Tendai
Tendai
is a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism, a descendant of the Chinese Tiantai or Lotus Sutra school.Chappell frames the relevance of Tendai for a universal Buddhism:- History :...
Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, and Chief Abbot of Miidera at the foot of Mount Hiei
Mount Hiei
is a mountain to the northeast of Kyoto, lying on the border between the Kyoto and Shiga prefectures, Japan.The temple of Enryaku-ji, the first outpost of the Japanese Tiantai sect of Buddhism, was founded atop Mount Hiei by Saichō in 788. Both Nichiren and Honen studied at the temple before...
. After succeeding to the post of Tendai Zasu, or Chief Tendai Abbot, in 873, a strong rivalry developed between his followers and those of Ennin
Ennin
Ennin , who is better known in Japan by his posthumous name, Jikaku Daishi , was a priest of the Tendai school.- Birth and origin :...
's at the Enryakuji; (note: Ennin had died in 864).
The rivalry was largely geographical, and was not based much on sectarian differences over interpretations of practice or doctrine; nevertheless, the friction between the followers of the two zasu finally broke out into a violent conflict. Rivalres between the followers of different zasu was not anything new at that time. During his twelve years on Hiei, Enchin himself had seen a conflict between direct disciples of Saichō (namely Enchō
Encho
was a after Engi and before Jōhei. This period spanned the years from April 923 through April 931. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* January 20, 923 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
and Kosho
Kosho
Kosho may refer to:*Emperor Kōshō, the fifth imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors*Kōshō, a Japanese era spanning from 1455–57*Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo, a martial art system of Kenpo*Koshō, a premodern Japanese term for a page...
) and the disciples of his own master, the second Tendai zasu Gishin. After the death of Gishin his main follower Enshu was elected to be the third zasu but Enchō and Kosho objected and finally forced Enshu with his followers to leave Mount Hiei.
Most significantly, Enchin united the Tendai school's teachings with those of Esoteric Buddhism, and interpreted the Lotus Sutra
Lotus Sutra
The Lotus Sūtra is one of the most popular and influential Mahāyāna sūtras, and the basis on which the Tiantai and Nichiren sects of Buddhism were established.-Title:...
from the point of view of the Esoteric teachings as well as used Tendai terminology in order to explain the esoteric Mahavairocana Sutra.
Enchin is said to have supported the worship of native gods, and certain elements of Confucianism
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
. In a memorial speech in 887, he is said to have discussed the respect T'ang China
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
had for Japan because of Japan's encouragement and welcoming of the ideals of Li (Propriety) and Yi (Righteousness). He warned that though Enryakuji was founded with the native gods (kami
Kami
is the Japanese word for the spirits, natural forces, or essence in the Shinto faith. Although the word is sometimes translated as "god" or "deity", some Shinto scholars argue that such a translation can cause a misunderstanding of the term...
) in mind, neither Enryakuji nor Miidera were at the time worshipping the gods of Mount Hiei, and that this was a dangerous violation of Confucian principles.