the eight doctrinal patriarchs (Shingon Buddhism)
A specific Shingon Buddhist term referring to eight patriarchs who transmitted the teachings: Nagarjuna, Nagabodhi, Vajrabodhi, Amoghavajra, Yi Xing, Huiguo, and Kūkai. Compare with 付法の八祖 (the eight patriarchs of the dharma transmission).
See also: 付法の八祖
In Shingon Buddhism, it is said that the eight doctrinal patriarchs spread the teachings.
付法の八祖 refers to the eight patriarchs of the dharma transmission lineage, while 伝持の八祖 refers specifically to those who expounded the teachings.
From 伝持 (denji, 'transmission and upholding') + の (no, possessive particle) + 八祖 (hasso, 'eight patriarchs'). A technical term in Shingon Buddhism.