Zhiyi (智顗, 538–597) Founder of the Tiantai School

Painting of Tiantai Zhiyi holding a ruyi scepter

Overview

Zhiyi (智顗, pronounced Jì-yǐ) is the formative architect of Tiantai [T’ien T’ai, 天台] Buddhism in China. Building on the Lotus Sutra and the meditative teachings of his teacher Huisi (慧思, 515–577), he integrated scripture, philosophy, and contemplative practice into a single path aimed at awakening in the here and now.

Place: Mount Tiantai, Zhejiang, China (Guoqing Temple became the ancestral seat)

Core sutra: Lotus Sutra (法華經)

Hallmarks of Tiantai Buddhism: Threefold Truth, Ten Realms (and their mutual possession), “one thought contains all dharmas,” and zhǐ-guān (止觀; calming & insight) practice.

View the Tiantai Buddhist Calendar

Life & Times (Concise)

538. Born in present-day Hubei, China.

c. 560. Studies under Huisi on Mount Dasu; receives the meditative lineage of zhǐ-guān.

Late 560s–570s. Intensive retreats and teaching in southern China; early framework of Tiantai takes shape.

c. 575–585. Periods of teaching at Mount Tiantai; growing circle of disciples.

c. 587–590s. Composes and teaches his three great works (below).

597. Passes away; his synthesis becomes the foundation of the Tiantai tradition. Throughout his life he built 36 temples and ordained more than 4,000 monks. The majority of his teachings were transcribed by his disciple, Guanding.

Practice Notes

Pair Lotus Sutra reading with a Four Samādhis mini-cycle (e.g., one quiet morning of seated/ walking alternation).

On lunar observance days, dedicate recitation to “opening the Buddha-wisdom” for self and others.

Major Works

Mohe Zhiguan (摩訶止觀, Great Calming and Contemplation): Vol 1 & Vol 2
A comprehensive manual covering posture, breath, obstacles, remedies, and the Four Samādhis (constant sitting, constant walking, half-walking/half-sitting, and neither-walking-nor-sitting retreat cycles).

Fahua Xuanyi (法華玄義, Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra)
Hermeneutics: the “five profound meanings” (title, substance, principle, function, teachings) used to open the Lotus’ intent.

Fahua Wenju (法華文句, Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra)
A line-by-line exegesis; practical for study circles and public preaching.

Key Teachings (Tiantai Essentials)

Threefold Truth (空假中):

Emptiness (śūnyatā) – All things are empty of intrinsic nature.
Conventional existence (provisional reality) – Things appear and function in the world.
The Center / The Middle Way – The integration of both emptiness and conventional existence, seeing reality as both empty and provisionally real simultaneously.

Ten Realms & Mutual Possession
From hell-realm to Buddhahood, each realm contains all others—so a single thought-moment holds the whole cosmos.

Four Samādhis
Structured retreat formats balancing stillness, movement, and everyday activity—bridging monastic rigor and lay life.

Contemplation in a Single Thought
In one instant of mind, causes, conditions, and results inter-penetrate—making this moment the site of awakening.

Legacy

Zhiyi’s synthesis shaped Chinese Buddhism and, via transmission to Japan, Tendai. His approach remains attractive for its balance of study, ethics, and formal meditation grounded in the Lotus vision that all beings can awaken.

Zhiyi: A Concise Biography