Hossō
Quick Summary
The Hossō school is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in India as the Yogācāra or Vijñānavāda school. It was introduced to Japan by the priest Dōshō in the 7th century CE.12
The core doctrine of the Hossō school is that only consciousness, or mind, is real. External objects are considered mere representations of the mind. This philosophy emphasizes meditation and a psychological analysis of reality, contrasting with other Mahayana schools that focus on logical analysis.2
The school's teachings were systematized by Indian philosophers like Asanga and Vasubandhu, and later by Chinese monks like Xuanzang. In Japan, Dōshō established the Hossō school at Gangōji Temple, and it continues to be a significant tradition within Japanese Buddhism.12
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- Dōshō
…founded the school known as Hossō (Chinese: Fa-hsiang), which continues the Wei-shih philosophy.
Read More…founded the school known as Hossō (Chinese: Fa-hsiang), which continues the Wei-shih philosophy.
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Xuanzang…8th centuries, this school, called Hossō by the Japanese, became the most influential of all the Buddhist schools in Japan.
Read More…8th centuries, this school, called Hossō by the Japanese, became the most influential of all the Buddhist schools in Japan.
Read More