Editing Ennin (section)

=== Return to Japan ===
Upon returning to Japan in 847, Ennin brought back numerous Buddhist texts, maṇḍalas, and ritual implements. In 854, he became the third abbot of the Tendai sect at [[Enryaku-ji]], where he built buildings to store the [[sutra]]s and religious instruments he brought back from China. He played a pivotal role in the [[Vajrayana|esotericization]] of Tendai Buddhism, reconciling the ''Lotus Sutra''’s teachings with the practices of [[Chinese Esoteric Buddhism]].<ref name=":0" /> Ennin introduced rituals such as the ''Lotus Repentance'' (''Hokke Senbō'') and the ''Constant Walking Samādhi'' (''Jōgyō Samādhi''), which became central to Tendai practice. He also established Sōji-in, a center for esoteric rituals, and built the ''Prabhūtaratna Stūpa'' to enshrine the ''Lotus Sutra''.<ref name=":0" /> 

His dedication to expanding the monastic complex and its courses of study assured the Tendai school a unique prominence in Japan. While his chief contribution was to strengthen the Tendai tantric Buddhist traditio n, the Pure Land recitation practices (''nenbutsu'') that he introduced also helped to lay a foundation for the independent Pure Land movements of the subsequent Kamakura period (1185–1333).<ref>{{Cite book|title = Encyclopedia of Buddhism|last = Buswell|first = Robert E.|publisher = Macmillan Reference USA|year = 2004|isbn = 978-0028657189|location = New York|pages = 249–250}}</ref> Ennin also founded the temple of [[Ryushakuji]] at [[Yamadera]].

Ennin's efforts laid the foundation for ''Taimitsu'' (Tendai Esotericism), which was further developed by later monks like [[Enchin]] and [[Annen]]. In 866, [[Emperor Seiwa]] posthumously awarded him the title ''Jikaku Daishi'', recognizing his contributions to Japanese Buddhism. Ennin's synthesis of exoteric and esoteric teachings, along with his emphasis on the ''Lotus Sutra'', solidified Tendai Buddhism's influence in Japan. His writings and rituals continue to be studied and practiced, making him one of the most important figures in Japanese Buddhist history.<ref name=":0" />