The term zongjiao was first seen in Buddhist classics, where jiao（教）referred to what the Buddha himself had taught, whether in his direct teachings or his wider endeavours to enlighten; zong (宗) on the other hand referred to what the Buddha's disciples had said and was a subdivision of jiao, containing subjective, personal beliefs. When the two are combined the term has two meanings: 1) encompassing the purposes and doctrines of Buddhism overall, and 2) referring to the beliefs of a particular branch or sect that share the same doctrines. Later on, Daoism also began to use the term, and in the modern era, zongjiao has been used to translate into Chinese the word "religion," where people come together through worship to commune with a supernatural, transcendent, and absolute supreme being, to enter a realm of glory, and attain eternal happiness.

When Shakyamuni was dying, he gave his cassock and alms bowl to Mahā Kāśyapa. This started the tradition of Buddhist teachings being passed on through a single individual. This means that Buddhism cannot have two leaders at the same time, just as a country cannot have two rulers at the same time.

(Shi Daoyuan: Buddhist Teachings During the Jingde Reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty)