Enryakuji (延暦寺), a monastery on Mount Hiei (比叡山) overlooking Kyoto, was founded during the late eighth and early ninth centuries by Saicho (最澄: 767-822 AD), also known as Dengyo Daishi (傳教大師), who introduced the Tendai (天台; Chinese tian1 tai2) 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 (浄土), Zen (禅), and Nichiren (日蓮) sects. Buddhist monastery near Tibet A monastery is the habitation of monks. ... Mount Hiei (Jp. ... This page is about the city Kyoto. ... (7th century — 8th century — 9th century — other centuries) Events The Iberian peninsula is taken by Arab and Berber Muslims, thus ending the Visigothic rule, and starting almost 8 centuries of Muslim presence there. ... (8th century - 9th century - 10th century - other centuries) Events Beowulf might have been written down in this century, though it could also have been in the 8th century Viking attacks on Europe begin Oseberg ship burial The Magyars arrive in what is now Hungary, forcing the Serbs and Bulgars south... Saichō (最澄, 767-822) is a Japanese Buddhist monk credited with founding the Tendai school in Japan, based around the Chinese Tiantai tradition he was exposed to during his trip to China beginning in 804. ... Tendai (天台) is a Japanese school of Buddhism, a descendant of the Chinese Tiantai or Lotus Sutra school. ... The Buddha Amitabha, 13th century, Kamakura, Japan. ... Bodhidharma, woodblock print by Yoshitoshi, 1887. ... Nichiren (日蓮) (February 16, 1222 - October 13, 1282), born Zennichimaro (善日麿), later Zeshō-bō Renchō (是生房蓮長) and sometimes called Nichiren Shōnin (日蓮聖人) or Nichiren Daishōnin (日蓮大聖人), was a Buddhist monk in 13th century Japan. ...

With the support of the Emperor Kammu (桓武天皇 also spelt "Kanmu"), Saicho 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, Enryakuji was a huge complex of as many as 3000 sub-temples and a powerful army of warrior monks (僧兵, Sōhei) who were occasionally engaged in power struggles with other monasteries and political leaders. In the tenth century, succession disputes broke out between Tendai monks of the line of Ennin (圓仁) and Enchin (圓珍; 814-891). These disputes resulted in opposing Tendai centers at Mount Hiei, the sammon (山門; 'Mountain Order') and at Miidera, the jimon (寺門; 'Church Order'). Warrior monks were used to settle the disputes, and Tendai leaders began to hire mercenary armies who threatened rivals and even marched on the capital to enforce monastic demands. Kammu can refer to: Emperor_Kammu_of_Japan The Kammu language This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Ennin (圓仁 or 円仁) (792 - 862 A.D.), who is better known in Japan by his posthumous name, Jikaku Daishi (慈覺大師), was a priest of the Tendai (天台) school. ... Miidera (三井寺), also called Onjouji (園城寺), is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Mount Hiei, just outside the town of Otsu, in Shiga Prefecture. ...

As part of a program to remove all potential rivals and unite the country, Shogun Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) ended this Buddhist militancy in 1571 by attacking and razing the huge temple complex on Mount Hiei, including Enryakuji, and destroying the monastic communities. Oda Nobunaga Oda Nobunaga (織田 信長 Oda Nobunaga, June 23, 1534 - June 21, 1582) was a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. ...

Enryakuji consists of three sections: the Todo (東堂; East Hall, also the quarters where the former head priest resides), the Saito (西堂; West Hall, also the abode of a retired head priest from a separate monastery), and the Yokawa (横川). The monastery's most important buildings are concentrated in the Todo.

External links

• Official site (http://www.hieizan.or.jp/enryakuji/econt/index4.html) (English)