Tendai+Buddhism+Peter+and+Eric

Tendai Buddhism media type="youtube" key="-hxEZSWIuGk" height="315" width="420" align="center"

Listen to the unique chanting of Tendai Buddhism-Shomyo(explained at the bottom) **__Origins__** The Lotus Sutra was translated to Chinese by Hui-wen and Hui-Ssu, and imported from China to Mount Hiei in Japan by Saicho(767-822).

Mount Hiei is considered the starting point of Tendai Buddhism, and throughout history had been supported by the Imperial Clans of Japan. It was able to fit in to Japanese culture by becoming syncretic with Singon, Vinaya, Zen, and especially the Shinto traditions of Japan. Reconciliation between the two beliefs were made such as accepting the Shinto gods as representations of the Dharma, and considering art and culture as ways to enlightenment despite Buddhist beliefs of rejecting worldly pleasures(poetry was especially heavily contemplated when in the context of the Tendai doctrine). The image below is an example of a Tendai shrine incorporating Buddhist and Shinto values.

The Three Jewels: one could find refuge through dedication in the Three Jewels Buddha: more than a mere figure in the past; a god-like transcendent eternal being Dharma: believed in the Lotus Sutra Sangha- the Buddhist Community
 * __Beliefs__**

Tendai Buddhism placed great importance on the Sangha and the community of people living ascetic lives. Ascetic exile was also emphasized as a method of meditation. The Sangha believed that all beings have potential to get enlightened, and collectively followed the Eightfold Path, engaged in varieties of activities related to the Sangha. Followers were expected to contribute to the community.

__**Ways to Salvation**__ For the Tendai Buddhists, there were 3 methods for salvation. Srakakayana: the way to become an arhat(almost like a Bodhisttva) Pratyeka(buddhayana): the way of those who seek to attain salvation alone-ascetic life. Bodhisttvayana: the way of Bodhisatta; help others achieve nirvana before final nirvana. →While in practice Tendai monks meditated for individual enlightenment, they also had characteristics of Mahayana, by attempting to help others achieve nirvana as well, before their own final nirvana. The picture below illustrates an enlightened being trying to lead others to enlightenment as well.

Like other sects of Buddhism, followers of Tendai meditated(Shikan) to learn the true nature of reality and get freed from desire and judgment, and studied and spread the ideas of their sutra, which for the Tendai Buddhists was the Lotus Sutra. Calligraphy was an important practice to calm one's mind and free oneself from desires. Many times this was practiced through Shakyo, which was simply copying the Lotus Sutra in 3 days, and presenting them at a temple located in Mt.Hiei every July. Other practices included the chanting of Mantras(in words) and Mudras(hand gestures). A remnant of Japanese tradition can be seen in the Shomyo Practice, or singing rituals from books in Japanese style.
 * __Practices and Meditation__**

Works Cited "Japan and Korea: Life, Language and Religion." //Japan and Korea: Life, Language and Religion//. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

"Tendai." //An Overview Of Buddhism//. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

"Tendai (T'ien-T'ai) Buddhism." //Tendai (T'ien Tai) Buddhism//. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

"Japanese Buddhism History Sects Beliefs." //JapanVisitor.com//. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

"Tendai Buddhism." //LiveJournal.com//. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

"Tendai." //Tendai//. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

Images //Saicho//. Photograph. Http://www.buddhachannel.tv/portail/local/cache-vignettes/L307xH375/chih-i-bb959.gif*.//

0717-48-Mount Hiei View//. Photograph. Http://www.wheresjoshua.com/nihon/Page-6.html.

//Tendai-lotus-3//. Photograph. Japanlifeandreligion.com.

//Three Jewels//. Photograph. Http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DS6fFoUFQIQ/R1arEtRO5dI/AAAAAAAABiM/vGNfpWCpT-k/s800/Three+Jewels.jpg.//

Tendai_sangha//. Photograph. Http://tendai.org/index.php?id=43.

//Mahayana_2//. Photograph. Http://tendai.org/index.php?id=43, Http://japanlifeandreligion.com/category/religion/buddhism/nichiren/.

//0023ae9bcbda0e34838310//. Photograph. Http://treasure.chinese.cn/en/article/2010-10/29/content_185822.htm.