The historical significance of the formation of Buddhist schools during the Sui and Tang Dynasties

Abstract

ABSTRACT The formation of Buddhist schools during the Sui and Tang Dynasties is the most significant achievement in the Sinification of Buddhism and holds profound significance in the history of civilization. This article takes ‘Fulfilling the Threefold Training’ as the core of the sectarian concept and explores the Sui and Tang Dynasty Buddhist schools within the three major dimensions of truth, sanctity and daily life. It discusses various elements such as the Division of the Buddha’s teaching, Dependent Arising, meditative contemplation, patriarchal tradition and monastic discipline. The formation of Buddhist schools was based on a methodology of inheritance, interpretation and innovation, representing a civilization exchange of ‘difference and unity.’ Simultaneously, the formation of these schools signifies the central role of Mahāyāna Buddhism in China, contrasting with the peripheral position of Mahāyāna Buddhism in India, presenting a mutual civilizational learning of ‘periphery and center.’