Refers to a distinct religious group or branch within a larger religion, such as a Christian denomination or a Buddhist sect.
キリスト教には多くの教派がある。
Christianity has many denominations.
彼は新しい教派を設立した。
He founded a new sect.
教派 is nearly interchangeable with 宗派 for religious denominations, but is used somewhat more often for Christian branches specifically.
Compound of 教 (teaching, religion) and 派 (faction, group). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with religious groups.