noun
the eight major Buddhist sects of early Heian Japan
Historical term referring collectively to the six Nara-period sects (南都六宗) plus the two Heian-period sects (Tendai and Shingon). Used in discussions of Japanese Buddhist history.
See also: 南都六宗
平安時代初期には、南都六宗に天台宗と真言宗を加えた八宗が成立した。
In the early Heian period, the eight sects were established, adding the Tendai and Shingon sects to the six Nara sects.