Lineage

Sutras tell that the Buddha, giving a conference in front of numerous people at the Vulture´s Peak, stopped speaking for a moment and, smiling, held a flower and made it turn in his hand. Mahakashyapa, his disciple, was one among the thousands of people present but the only one to see his gesture. So, Mahakashyapa smiled too. At this moment, they both look at each other. Mahakashyapa’s spirit turned into a complete intimacy with Buddha’s spirit. He was illuminated by the Buddha´s spirit and both were the same spirit.

Then the Buddha addressed the assembly and said:

I have a very subtle teaching, the Treasure of the Eye of True Dharma. I now transmit it to Mahakashyapa.

Here took place the first intimate Dharma transmission. It is considered as the first link in the succession of Zen Masters, which still perpetuates itself in our days. A transmission beyond words and texts: I Shin Den Shin: from my spirit to your spirit.

INDIA

 

1. Mahakasyapa

2. Ananda

3. Shanavashin

4. Upagupta

5. Dhitika

6. Mishaka

7. Vasumitra

8. Buddhanandi

9. Buddhamitra

10. Parshva

11. Punyayasha

12. Anabodhi

13. Kapimala

14. Nagarjuna

15. Kanadeva

16. Rahulabhadra

17. Samghanandi

18. Samghayathata

19. Kumaralata

20. Shayata

21. Vasubandhu

22. Manorata

23. Haklenayasha

24. Simhabodhi

25. Bashashita

26. Punyamitra

27. Prajnadhara

28. Bodhidharma

CHINA

 

1. Bodhidharma

2. Taiso Eka

3. Kanchi Sosan

4. Daihi Doshin

5. Daiman Konin

6. Daikan Eno

7. Seigen Gyoshi

8. Sekito Kisen

9. Yakusan Igen

10. Ungan Donjo

11. TozanRyokai

12. Ungo Doyo

13. Doan Dohi

14. Doan Kanshi

15. Ryozan Enkan

16. Taiyo Kyogen

17. Toshi Gisei

18. Fuyo Dokai

19. TankaShinjun

20. Choro Seiryo

21. TendoSokaku

22. SetchoChikan

23. Tendo Nyojo

24. Eihei Dogen

JAPAN

 

1. Eihei Dogen

2. Kohun Ejo

3. Tettsu Gikai

4. Keizan Jokin

5. Meiho Sotetsu

6. Shugan Dochin

7. Tetsuzan Shikaku

8. Keigen Eisho

9. Chuzan Ryohun

10. Gisan Tonin

11. Shogaku Kenryu

12. Kinen Horyu

13. Teishitsu Chisen

14. Kokei Shojun

15. Sesso Yuho

16. Kaiten Genju

17. Shuzan Shunsho

18. Chozan Senetsu

19. Fukuchu Kochi

20. Meido Yuton

21.Hakuho Gentekki

22. Gesshu Soko

23. Tokuo Ryoko

24. Mokushi Soen

25. Genkyoku Ganki

26. Kokoku Soryu

27. Rosetsu Ryuko

28. Seggai Kozan

29. Shoryu Koho

30. Shokoku Zenko

31. Somon Kodo

32. MokudoTaisen

EUROPE

 

1. MokudoTaisen

2. Rempo Niwa

3. Taigen Kosen

4. Seikyu Kosen