PHILOSOPHER

Zhiyi

538 - 597

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Zhiyi (Chinese: 智顗; pinyin: Zhìyǐ; Wade–Giles: Chih-i; Japanese pronunciation: Chigi; Korean: 지의; 538–597 CE) also called Dashi Tiantai (天台大師) and Zhizhe (智者, "Wise One"), was a Chinese Buddhist monk, philosopher, meditation teacher, and exegete. He is considered to be the founder of the Tiantai Buddhist tradition, as well as its fourth patriarch. Śramaṇa Zhiyi is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of East Asian Buddhist thought and practice. As the first major Chinese Buddhist thinker to construct a comprehensive religious system based primarily on Chinese interpretations, Zhiyi played a crucial role in synthesizing various strands of Mahayana Buddhism into a unique coherent framework. Read more on Wikipedia

His biography is available in different languages on Wikipedia. Zhiyi is the 444th most popular philosopher (up from 463rd in 2019), the 286th most popular biography from China (up from 343rd in 2019) and the 17th most popular Chinese Philosopher.

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Among PHILOSOPHERS

Among philosophers, Zhiyi ranks 444 out of 1,267. Before him are Eudemus of Rhodes, Shah Waliullah Dehlawi, Rodolphus Agricola, Chantal Mouffe, Gershom Scholem, and Christian Thomasius. After him are Ernesto Laclau, Martha Nussbaum, Lucilio Vanini, Ge Hong, Jyotirao Phule, and Dhul-Nun al-Misri.

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Contemporaries

Among people born in 538, Zhiyi ranks 2. Before him is Gregory of Tours. After him is Emperor Bidatsu. Among people deceased in 597, Zhiyi ranks 2. Before him is Columba. After him are Simeon Stylites the Younger, Fredegund, and Ceol of Wessex.

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In China

Among people born in China, Zhiyi ranks 286 out of 1,610. Before him are Lü Meng (178), Emperor Zhang of Han (57), Yijing (635), Zhu Rongji (1928), Emperor Gaozong of Song (1107), and Gong Li (1965). After him are Emperor Houshao of Han (-196), Ye Jianying (1897), Cao Ren (168), Emperor Huan of Han (132), Lu Su (172), and Zhang He (167).

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Among PHILOSOPHERS In China

Among philosophers born in China, Zhiyi ranks 17. Before him are Shen Kuo (1031), Wang Yangming (1472), Han Yu (768), Ban Zhao (45), Guan Zhong (-720), and Dong Zhongshu (-179). After him are Ge Hong (284), Linji Yixuan (850), Zhang Daoling (34), Huiyuan (334), Marpa Lotsawa (1012), and Zhou Dunyi (1017).

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