Learning four thoughts of the Tiantai doctrine, the precepts, esoteric teachings and Zen, and transmitting them all to Japan (Shisosojo) was an important part of Saicho's scholarship; and Enryaku-ji Temple took shape as a general university.
このように天台教学・戒律・密教・禅の4つの思想をともに学び、日本に伝えた（四宗相承）ことが最澄の学問の特色で、延暦寺は総合大学としての性格を持っていた。