Zhiyi
Zhiyi, pronounced JEE-yee, is a prominent figure in Chinese Buddhist philosophy, often regarded as the greatest philosopher in this tradition. He is best known for founding the Tiantai school of Buddhism, which emerged as a significant and distinctly Chinese interpretation of Buddhist teachings in the sixth century CE. Zhiyi's major contributions include the systematization of Buddhist scriptures, where he addressed the contradictions found within them, ultimately categorizing the teachings of the Buddha into a cohesive framework known as the "five periods and eight teachings." This classification aimed to demonstrate that the various scriptures complemented rather than conflicted with one another.
A distinctive aspect of Zhiyi's philosophy is the integration of practice with doctrine, which he metaphorically described as the "two wings of a bird," emphasizing their equal importance in spiritual development. His meditation technique, called zhiguan—meaning concentration and insight—has become one of the most widely practiced forms of meditation across East Asian Buddhism. Zhiyi's influence extends beyond his time, as his ideas laid the groundwork for subsequent interpretations and practices in Buddhism, making him a central figure in the history of the religion in China.
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Zhiyi
Related civilization: China
Major role/position: Monk
Life
Zhiyi (JEE-yee) is considered to be the greatest of all Chinese Buddhist philosophers. He is especially renowned for his work in systematizing the diverse doctrinal and practical details that had come to plague Chinese Buddhism. After establishing a monastery on Mount Tiantai, Zhiyi spent his life creating the first truly Chinese school of Buddhism since the Buddhist religion came to China, effectively unifying the disparate aspects of sixth century c.e. Buddhism into a comprehensive system. Zhiyi’s primary work involved the classification of the voluminous Buddhist scriptures so as to explain the often contradictory statements and doctrines preached by the Buddha. His system of “five periods and eight teachings” categorized the canon into various types of teachings introduced by the Buddha at different times in his career. Rather than contradicting one another, the scriptures were fully complementary and advanced a coherent body of religious truth. Particularly unique to Zhiyi’s work was his unification of Buddhist practice with doctrine, what he referred to as analogous to the “two wings of a bird.”
Influence
While technically considered the third patriarch of the Tiantai school, Zhiyi undoubtedly was the actual founder. His synthesis of practice and doctrine incorporated nearly everything that preceded it and undoubtedly inspired everything that followed. Zhiyi’s practice of zhiguan, or concentration and insight, continues to be one of the most widespread meditation techniques in East Asian Buddhism.
Bibliography
Hurvitz, Leon N. Chih-i (538-597): An Introduction to the Life and Ideas of a Chinese Buddhist Monk. Brussels: Institut Belge des Hautes Écoles Chinoises, 1962.
Swanson, Paul L. Foundations of T’ien-t’ai Philosophy. Berkeley: Asian Humanities Press, 1989.