This work provides a new hypothesis for understanding the real nature of the term "White Lotus Teachings". The author argues that there are actually two different phenomena covered by similar terms: from c1130 until 1400 a lay Buddhist movement existed, which can be called the White Lotus movement. It enjoyed the respect of contemporary literati and religious elites. The movement used the autonym White Lotus Society, which came to be prohibited in the early Ming period and was discarded as a result. After 1525, the name reappeared in the form of White Lotus Teachings, but now only as a derogtory label, used by officials and litarati rather than by believers themselves. As a result of this hypothesis, the history of the White Lotus Teachings changes from one of religious groups and magicians into one of elite ideology and religious persecution.