religious sect; denomination
Refers to a distinct branch or group within a larger religion, especially Buddhism. Also used for Christian denominations.
There are many Buddhist sects in Japan.
He is researching the differences among Christian denominations.
Extended use for a distinct stylistic or ideological school within arts, literature, or thought.
This school of haiku values tradition.
This temple can be visited by anyone, regardless of sect.
He belongs to the sect known as Jodo Shinshu.
流派 is used for schools of art, martial arts, or crafts centered on lineage and technique, while 宗派 in this extended sense stresses shared ideology or style with a religious flavor.
教派 is nearly interchangeable with 宗派 for religious denominations, but is used somewhat more often for Christian branches specifically.
宗派 is the fuller, more common word for a religious sect or denomination, while 宗 is often used as a shorter noun or suffix (e.g. 浄土宗).
宗派 refers to a specific sect or denomination within a faith, whereas 宗教 names the religion or belief system as a whole.
宗派 refers to a denomination or sect within a broader religion, whereas 教団 refers to the organized body or institution itself.
宗派 is limited to religious denominations or sects, while 一派 can refer to a school of thought, art, or a political faction as well.
宗派 is the standard word for a religious sect or denomination, while bare 派 is broader and only clearly religious with context.
non-sectarian
Compound of 宗 (しゅう, 'sect, religion') and 派 (は, 'faction, group'). The kanji combination directly conveys the meaning of a religious or ideological branch.
Buddhism has split into many sects over its history.