As new Buddhist sects that could challenge Nara Buddhism, Emperor Kanmu protected the Tendai sect, which Saicho had introduced from the Tang Dynasty, and the Shingon sect that Kukai had introduced.
桓武天皇は奈良仏教に対抗しうる新しい仏教として、最澄が唐から持ち帰った天台宗や空海が持ち帰った真言宗を保護した。