Dongmi 東密

Eastern Esoteric Buddhism (Dōngmì 東密)

20th Century Chinese History

1. In Japan, this term, pronounced "tōmitsu", refers to the esoteric Buddhism of the Shingon School 真言宗.

2. In China, in the early 20th century, this term sometimes referred to all Japanese Esoteric Buddhism, in contradistinction to "Western", or Tibetan, Esoteric Buddhism 西密. Although the term meant Japanese Esoteric Buddhism generally, in practice, most of those who promoted Japanese Buddhism in China during this time had studied in only the Shingon School.

Section Editor: Erik Hammerstrom

Notable Proponents in China

• Dàyǒng 大勇
• Chéng Zháiān 程宅安
• Chísōng 持松
• Chúnmì 純密
• Guì Bóhuá 桂伯華
• Tánxuán 談玄
• Wáng Hóngyuàn 王弘願
• Xiǎnyìn 顯蔭

References

• Bianchi, Ester. "The Tantric Rebirth Movement in Modern China." Acta Orientalia, vol. 57, no. 1 (April 2004): 31-54.