tendō

The term "Tendai" refers to a Japanese Buddhist sect founded in the 9th century by Dengyo Daishi. It is the doctrinal equivalent of the Chinese T'ien T'ai sect. The name originates from a mountain in China where the doctrine was first formulated.1

In the context of Japanese philosophy, "tendō" (天道) translates to "way of heaven" and is a concept found in Neo-Confucianism. This philosophy, particularly the Chu Hsi school, provided an intellectual framework for the social structure of Japan's bakuhan system during the Tokugawa period. The concept of tendō was used to justify the established social order and the legitimacy of rulers, drawing parallels to the Chinese concept of the "mandate of heaven". This philosophical approach emphasized loyalty and order, aligning with the conservative statecraft valued by the Tokugawa regime.2