一般在介紹隋唐之時的佛教發展特色時，總是以宗派的林立為此期的特色，至於到底可分為幾個宗派，則未曾有個定論，不過肯認隋唐為宗派佛教時期則不曾有疑義。至於宗派的定義則不外是：對經義的詮釋有特定的見解、有不同的儀式、有祖師的傳承。然而宗派之說始自何時呢？唐人已有宗派的觀念呢？還是後人強加於唐人之上呢？考慮在唐以前的僧傳中從無提及宗派一詞者，唐人僧徒中所強調者為師承的淵源而尚無宗派的觀念，況且今之所傳的祖師傳承表，全然是後人所立，而且師承關係似嚴實鬆。宗派之說實不出於唐人。個人認為宗派之說為後人所立，其觀念正與宋儒道統觀念有關，而宗派之正名則始自五代與宋初，而成形則到南宋之時，因此宗派之說是出自於宋人，而正是與道統之說有關，本文則是想證明此論點。

Commonly Sui-Tan-Dynasty has been regarded sects of Buddhism’s period although how many sects couldn’t be compartmentalized. Sect-Buddhism is defined by special explanations to Buddhism-Texts， different ceremonies and the inheritances of teachings from master to disciples. When does the theory of Sect-Buddhism start？ Do Tan- Dynasty or others obtrude to Tan-Dynasty’s monks？I have discovered that the biography of Tan-Dynasty’s monksnever allude a word of sect. Tan-Dynasty’s monks emphasized the succession of teachings from master to disciples，.and they didn’t have the notion of religious sects. I believe the concept of religious sects relate to daunhtuung of Suhng-Dynasty, it began from Five-Dynasty and formed at South-Suhng-Dynasty. This essay wants to authenticate this concept.