What is Tiantai/Tendai?

What is Tiantai/Tendai?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight December 26, 2021 Duration: 26:22

Bright on Buddhism Episode 15 - What is Tiantai/Tendai? How is it different from other schools of Buddhism? How does it influence other schools of Buddhism? 

Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism; Chan Master Sheng Yen: Orthodox Chinese Buddhism; The Bodhisattva Vow: A Practical Guide to Helping Others, page 1, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1995) ISBN 978-0-948006-50-0; Flanagan, Owen (2011-08-12). The Bodhisattva's Brain: Buddhism Naturalized. MIT Press. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-262-29723-3.; Williams, Paul, Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations, Routledge, 2008, pp. 195–196.; The Lotus Sutra: Translator’s Introduction, pp. ix-xxii; Chapter One, Burton Watson, trans.; Lopez and Stone: Two Buddhas Seated Side by Side: A Guide to the Lotus Sutra; Donald S Lopez Jr: The Lotus Sūtra: A Biography; “Saichō and Mount Hiei,” Sources of Japanese Tradition, Volume 1: 123-152.  Hazama, Jikō. "The Characteristics of Japanese Tendai." Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 14, no. 2/3 (1987): 101-12. Endō, Asai. "The "Lotus Sutra" as the Core of Japanese Buddhism: Shifts in Representations of Its Fundamental Principle." Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 41, no. 1 (2014): 45-64.; Paul Groner, Saichō: The Establishment of the Tendai School, Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 2000.; Paul Groner, “The Lotus Sutra and Saicho’s interpretation of the Realization of Buddhahood in this very body,” in The Lotus Sutra in Japanese Culture, ed. George and Willa Tanabe (Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 1989); Abe Ryuichi, "Saichō and Kukai: A Conflict of Interpretations," Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 1995 22 1/2, pp. 103-137.; Dogen, ‘The Flowering of the Dharma Sets the Dharma’s Flowering in Motion' (Hokke ten Hokke)


Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by tweeting to us @BrightBuddhism, emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com, or joining us on our discord server, Hidden Sangha https://discord.gg/tEwcVpu!

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Guest Episode - Katie Nolan - Dharma Voices for Animals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:54
Bright on Buddhism - Guest Episode - Dharma Voices for AnimalsJoin us as we speak with a very special guest, Katie Nolan, Communications Director for Dharma Voices for Animals, a Buddhist animal rights organization. http…
Tevijja Sutta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:07
Bright on Buddhism - Tevijja SuttaJoin us as we read and discuss the Bhikku Sujato translation of the Tevijja Sutta in its entirety.Resources: https://suttacentral.net/dn13/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&n…
Asian Religions Series - Shugendō [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
Bright on Buddhism - Asian Religions Series - ShugendōResources: Andrea Castiglioni, Fabio Rambelli, & Carina Roth, eds. Defining Shugendō: critical studies on Japanese mountain religion. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 202…
How do you cite sutras? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:31
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 127 - How do you cite sutras? Why does this matter? How do you read sutra citations?Resources: Cousins, L. S. (1982), Pali oral literature. In Denwood and Piatigorski, eds.: Buddhist Studies,…
Who is Xuanzang? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:23
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 126 - Who is Xuanzang? What were some of his views and written works? How did they affect Buddhism in East Asia?Resources: Beal, Samuel, trans. (1911). The Life of Hiuen-Tsiang. Translated fr…
Guest Episode - Marta Gyoergy-Kessler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:14
Bright on Buddhism - Guest Episode - Marta Gyoergy-Kessler Join us as we speak with a very special guest, Marta Gyoergy-Kessler, director and producer of the documentary Meeting The Buddha. Please also consider going to…
Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast - Genpei War: Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:44
Bright on Buddhism - Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast - Genpei War: Part 3Join me as I drop an episode of my forthcoming 2nd podcast, Nihonshi, a Japanese History Podcast. On this show, we will be discuss…
Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast - Genpei War: Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:26
Bright on Buddhism - Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast - Genpei War: Part 2Join me as I drop an episode of my forthcoming 2nd podcast, Nihonshi, a Japanese History Podcast. On this show, we will be discuss…
Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:23
Bright on Buddhism - Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast - Genpei War: Part 1Join me as I drop an episode of my forthcoming 2nd podcast, Nihonshi, a Japanese History Podcast. On this show, we will be discuss…
What is the second moral precept of Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:42
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 124 - What is the second moral precept of Buddhism? What is its significance? How have interpretations of it changed over time? Resources: Five Precepts: Collected Essays by Paul Dahlke (BPS…