Saichō believed that Japanese Buddhism was at a crucial point in its history. The Buddha’s ultimate teaching, the One-vehicle doctrine of the Lotus Sūtra had just been recognized by the Japanese court with the allocation of Tendai yearly ordinands by Emperor Kanmu. If this teaching was to flourish it had to be further encouraged. The Fan wang precepts played a key part in Saichō’s defense of the Tendai School. Second, Japanese Buddhism had traditionally been patronized by the court, and in turn, had performed ceremonies to protect the nation and court. Saichō redefined Nara state Buddhism by establishing the autonomy of the Tendai School and increasing the number of people to whom Buddhism appealed. The Fan wang precepts played a significant role in Saichō’s efforts to reform church-state relations.