The Eight Major Schools of Mahāyāna Buddhism

When Buddhism spread to China, it merged with local culture and developed uniquely Chinese interpretations of Buddhist thought. During the Sui and Tang dynasties (6th to 9th century CE), Chinese Buddhism flourished, and eight major schools emerged. These are commonly known as 性、相、台、賢、禪、淨、律、密—a shorthand for their names.

1. Sanlun (Three Treatises School, 法性宗)

Also called the Dharma-nature School, it is based on three foundational texts translated by Kumārajīva: Madhyamaka-kārikā (中觀論), Dvādaśanikāya Śāstra (十二門論), and Śataśāstra (百論). This school follows Nāgārjuna’s Middle Way (Madhyamaka), teaching that all phenomena are empty (śūnyatā) and that true wisdom lies in realizing the unity of the two truths—conventional and ultimate reality.

2. Faxiang (Consciousness-Only School, 法相宗)

Also known as the Yogācāra School, it was founded in India by Maitreya, Asaṅga, and Vasubandhu and later brought to China by Xuanzang. This school teaches that reality is constructed by the mind, divided into eight consciousnesses. Enlightenment is achieved by transforming deluded perception into wisdom. The core ideas include the Three Natures (遍計所執性、依他起性、圓成實性) and the doctrine of No-Self (人無我, 法無我).

3. Tiantai (天台宗)

Founded by Zhiyi, this school systematized Buddhist teachings using the Five Periods (五時) and Four Teachings (四教). The Lotus Sutra (法華經) is regarded as the supreme teaching, emphasizing the doctrine of Threefold Truth (三諦圓融): emptiness (空), provisional existence (假), and the Middle Way (中道) as a single integrated reality.

4. Huayan (Avataṃsaka School, 華嚴宗 / 賢首宗)

Based on the Avataṃsaka Sūtra (華嚴經), this school, founded by Fazang, teaches the doctrine of interpenetration—the idea that all phenomena are interconnected, like the reflections in Indra’s Net (因陀羅網). It categorizes Buddhist teachings into the Five Levels (五教), emphasizing that all realities exist in harmony.

5. Chan (Zen, 禪宗)

Chan Buddhism, introduced to China by Bodhidharma, emphasizes direct experience over scripture. The legendary phrase "A special transmission outside the scriptures" (教外別傳) reflects this. It promotes meditation (禪那, dhyāna) and spontaneous insight (頓悟). Over time, Chan split into five major lineages, with Linji (Rinzai) and Caodong (Sōtō) remaining influential today.

6. Pure Land (淨土宗)

This school focuses on devotion to Amitābha Buddha, believing that by sincerely chanting his name (Namo Amituofo), one can be reborn in his Pure Land (Sukhāvatī), where enlightenment is easier. Unlike other schools requiring deep philosophical understanding, Pure Land emphasizes faith, making it widely accessible.

7. Lü (Vinaya School, 律宗)

Founded by Daoxuan, this school specializes in monastic discipline and ethics. It upholds the Four-Part Vinaya (四分律), providing strict guidelines for monastic life. While Vinaya is practiced in all schools, Lü focused exclusively on its study and application.

8. Mizong (Esoteric Buddhism, 密宗)

Also known as the True Word School (真言宗), Chinese Esoteric Buddhism was introduced by Indian masters Śubhakarasiṃha, Vajrabodhi, and Amoghavajra. It centers on mantras, mudras, and mandalas, emphasizing ritual practices like Three Mysteries (身口意三密)—harmonizing body, speech, and mind with the cosmic Buddha.