Tengeshū
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| The symbol commonly ascribed to Tengeshū. | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Dharmic |
| Scripture | Primarily the White Flower Sutra |
| Theology | Mahagaurava theology |
| Region | Tenzan |
| Founder | Tenge |
Tengeshū (Tenzanese: 天華宗), often also Tenge Nirvanism, is a Tenzanese Mahagaurava tradition founded by the monk Tenge (天華), who believed that the White Flower Sutra is the ultimate and most complete teaching towards Nirvana. Tenge taught that chanting the phrase Nam Myōhō Byakuge Kyō (南無妙法白華經)—“devotion to the White Flower Sutra's mystical law”—is the direct path to enlightenment, accessible to all people regardless of background or social class; to him, the struggles of life are the very ground for realizing Nirvana.
Observers have noted that the various Tengeshū schools share in their militancy, doctrinal exclusivity and proselytism, reflecting Tenge's own confrontational nature in life. While Tengeshū emphasizes empowerment and resilience, fervent refusal of interfaith dialogue as well as emphasis on upheaval as proof of doctrine have fostered a polarizing image around the branch. Even so, it remains a major strand of Tenzanese Nirvanism, influencing both religious life and Tenzanese cultural history.