The question of which Buddhist sect did Saiji and Toji belong to when Heian Kyo was established came up at our last meeting. According to Paul Groner in, Saicho: The Establishment of the Japanese Tendai School
"These were official temples established to protect the capital, not centers for Nara schools. In fact they were probably built to be used by the bureau of Buddhists and Foreigners (genbaryo or koroji) as centers for entertaining guests." In 823 when Kukai was given control over Toji it became Shingon Monastic Center.
The Office of Monastic Affairs was moved from Yakushiji in Nara to Saiji in Kyoto in the 800's. Sometime in late Heian, when Saiji was damaged by fire, the office of Monsatic Affairs was moved to Toji. Saiji seems to have slowly faded out of history at that point.
Information on Saiji as head of Monastic Affairs can be found here: Ryōgen and Mount Hiei: Japanese Tendai in the Tenth Century, Paul Groner
Finally, Onjoji. This is also know as Miidera, the temple overlooks Lake Biwa. Founded in 764, Onjoji (commonly known as Miidera) Temple is the headquarters of the Jimon sect of Tendai Buddhism and was once a rival of the mighty Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei.
Question? Can anyone find what Buddhist school Onjoji was at its founding?
