the eight early Japanese Buddhist sects
Historical term referring to the eight major Buddhist schools established in Japan during the Nara and early Heian periods. Often used in discussions of Japanese Buddhist history.
See also: 八宗
the eight Japanese monks who visited China in the early Heian period
Abbreviation of 入唐八家, referring to eight prominent Japanese monks who traveled to Tang China to study Buddhism and brought back teachings that influenced Japanese Buddhism. Historical term.
See also: 入唐八家
The term '八家' refers to the eight Japanese Buddhist sects that were established from the Nara period to the early Heian period.
The eight monks who visited Tang China, including Saichō and Kūkai, are known as 入唐八家, often abbreviated as 八家.
the eight Heian-era monks who studied in Tang China
From 八 (eight) + 家 (house/school). The term is a historical designation used in Japanese Buddhist contexts.