Saichō (Dengyō Daishi)

Saichō, also known as Dengyō Daishi, was a revered Japanese Buddhist monk in the early 9th century who founded Tendai Buddhism, a major school of Japanese Buddhism. He introduced the teachings of Chinese Tiantai Buddhism to Japan, emphasizing the importance of studying multiple Buddhist teachings to attain enlightenment. Saichō sought to unify various Buddhist practices and foster spiritual development through comprehensive study, meditation, and ethical discipline. His efforts greatly influenced Japanese religious life, promoting a system that integrated meditation, ritual, and scholarship, and laid the groundwork for many later Japanese Buddhist traditions.