Ancient lineage still hums quietly across Zhejiang’s peaks. Officially recognized among China’s Five Major Schools by the Chinese Buddhist Association, Tiantai Buddhism today balances tradition and innovation. At Guoqing Temple, Abbot Hongchuan oversees monastic training steeped in the Lotus Sutra, while livestreamed dharma talks reach urban seekers from Beijing’s high-rises to Shanghai’s art districts.

Post-1980s religious reforms breathed new life into centuries-old halls. Lay study circles now spring up in community centers, reflecting a hunger for meditative practices like zhigong and the school’s signature “threefold truth” approach. Cultural celebrations—such as Hangzhou’s annual Lotus Lantern Festival—blend ritual with contemporary light installations, proving that ancient wisdom can wear a modern coat.

Scholars have rediscovered Tiantai’s logical precision, staging symposia at Peking University and Fudan. In 2023, an interfaith conference quoted Zhiyi’s image of the floating lotus uplifting all waters alike, underscoring Tiantai’s message of inclusivity. This “silent guardian” of Chinese Buddhism attracts over a million pilgrims annually to Tiantai Shan, showing that its appeal is anything but a drop in the ocean.

Urbanization and the popularity of Chan and Pure Land still pose challenges; regulatory shifts require temples to stay nimble. Yet digital platforms, from WeChat study groups to YouTube dharma channels, keep the flame alive. In a country straddling rapid modernization and cultural revival, Tiantai Buddhism stands the test of time—ancient texts in one hand, smartphones in the other—inviting every generation to explore the boundless teachings of the Lotus Sutra.