What kind of teachings did Kūkai bring back from China?
Vajrayana
Mahayana
Hinayana
Zen
Answer
The Tang dynasty Buddhist school of Vajrayana, known for its esoteric doctrines and practices, is what Kūkai introduced to Japan. Central to its teachings is the use of mandalas, symbolic diagrams, and mudras, hand gestures, to achieve spiritual awakening and liberation. Vajrayana emphasizes direct experience of the divine through intense meditation and ritual, making it a distinct and profound path within the broader Buddhist tradition.
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