Zhenyan

Buddhism

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Zhenyan, meaning "True Word," is a school of East Asian Buddhism that originated in China during the 7th century CE. It is a form of Vajrayana Buddhism, which emphasizes esoteric practices and rituals. Zhenyan Buddhism spread from India to China, where it gained prominence, particularly during the Tang dynasty. Its teachings involve complex rituals, mantras, and visualizations, aiming to achieve spiritual awakening and enlightenment. While it experienced a decline after a persecution in 845 CE, Zhenyan traditions continued to influence Chinese religion and later spread to Japan and Korea.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Buddhism
Zhenyan
According to the Zhenyan tradition, Vajrayana Buddhism was taken from India to China by three missionary monks who translated the basic Zhenyan texts. The first monk, Shubhakarasimha, arrived in China in 716, and he translated the Mahavairochana-sutra and a closely related ritual compendium, the…
Read More
According to the Zhenyan tradition, Vajrayana Buddhism was taken from India to China by three missionary monks who translated the basic Zhenyan texts. The first monk, Shubhakarasimha, arrived in China in 716, and he translated the Mahavairochana-sutra and a closely related ritual compendium, the…
Read More