Zen lineage charts

Zen lineage charts depict the transmission of the dharma from one generation to another. They developed during the Tang Dynasty, incorporating elements from Indian Buddhism and East Asian Mahayana Buddhism, but were first published at the end of the Tang.

History

Main article: Chan Buddhism

The idea of a patriarchal lineage in Chan dates back to the epitaph for Fărú (法如 638–689), a disciple of the 5th patriarch, Daman Hongren (弘忍 601–674). In the Long Scroll of the Treatise on the Two Entrances and Four Practices and the Continued Biographies of Eminent Monks, Daoyu and Dazu Huike are the only explicitly identified disciples of Bodhidharma. The epitaph gives a line of descent identifying Bodhidharma as the first patriarch.

In the 6th century biographies of famous monks were collected. From this genre the typical Chan lineage was developed:

These famous biographies were non-sectarian. The Ch'an biographical works, however, aimed to establish Ch'an as a legitimate school of Buddhism traceable to its Indian origins, and at the same time championed a particular form of Ch'an. Historical accuracy was of little concern to the compilers; old legends were repeated, new stories were invented and reiterated until they too became legends.

According to McRae, the schema developed over the course of several centuries. It is a combined product of Indian and Chinese culture, which inherited elements "from the larger tradition of East Asian Mahayana Buddhism" such as the seven Buddhas of the past:

[T]he origins of this linegae-based transmission scheme are to be found in Indian Buddhism and the fourth- and fifth-century Buddhist meditation tradition of Kashmir. There are a number of parallels between the Chan transmission scheme and Chinese family genealogies of the eighth century and later, but we should remember that Indian Buddhists had parents and teachers, family genealogies and initiation lineages, just as the Chinese did. As an amalgamation of Indian and Chinese elements, though, the Chinese transmission schema developed within the Chinese Buddhist context and was particularly well adapted to that milieu.

The complete system was published perhaps as early as 801 but certainly by the year 952.

D. T. Suzuki contends that Chan's growth in popularity during the 7th and 8th centuries attracted criticism that it had "no authorized records of its direct transmission from the founder of Buddhism" and that Chan historians made Bodhidharma the 28th patriarch of Buddhism in response to such attacks.

Lineages

The Indian Lineage From Shakyamuni to Bodhidharma

The earliest descriptions of the Chán-lineage evolved into a continuous lineage from Śākyamuni Buddha to Bodhidharma. The idea of a line of descent from Śākyamuni Buddha is the basis for the distinctive lineage tradition of the Chán school. The Denkoroku, "Transmission of the Light", written by Keizan, gives 28 patriarchs in this transmission:

	Sanskrit	Chinese	Vietnamese	Japanese	Korean
1	Mahākāśyapa	摩訶迦葉 / Móhējiāyè	Ma-Ha-Ca-Diếp	Makakashō	마하가섭 / Mahagasŏp
2	Ānanda	阿難陀 (阿難) / Ānántuó (Ānán)	A-Nan-Đà (A-Nan)	Ananda (Anan)	아난다 (아난) / Ananda (Anan)
3	Śānavāsa	商那和修 / Shāngnàhéxiū	Thương-Na-Hòa-Tu	Shōnawashu	상나화수 / Sangnahwasu
4	Upagupta	優婆掬多 / Yōupójúduō	Ưu-Ba-Cúc-Đa	Ubakikuta	우바국다 / Upakukta
5	Dhrtaka	提多迦 / Dīduōjiā	Đề-Đa-Ca	Daitaka	제다가 / Chedaga
6	Miccaka	彌遮迦 / Mízhējiā	Di-Dá-Ca	Mishaka	미차가 / Michaga
7	Vasumitra	婆須密 (婆須密多) / Póxūmì (Póxūmìduō)	Bà-Tu-Mật (Bà-Tu-Mật-Đa)	Bashumitsu (Bashumitta)	바수밀다 / Pasumilta
8	Buddhanandi	浮陀難提 / Fútuónándī	Phật-Đà-Nan-Đề	Buddanandai	불타난제 / Pŭltananje
9	Buddhamitra	浮陀密多 / Fútuómìduō	Phục-Đà-Mật-Đa	Buddamitta	복태밀다 / Puktaemilda
10	Pārśva	波栗濕縛 / 婆栗濕婆 (脅尊者) / Bōlìshīfú / Pólìshīpó (Xiézūnzhě)	Ba-Lật-Thấp-Phược / Bà-Lật-Thấp-Bà (Hiếp-Tôn-Giả)	Barishiba (Kyōsonja)	파률습박 (협존자) / P'ayulsŭppak (Hyŏpjonje)
11	Punyayaśas	富那夜奢 / Fùnàyèshē	Phú-Na-Dạ-Xa	Funayasha	부나야사 / Punayasa
12	Ānabodhi / Aśvaghoṣa	阿那菩提 (馬鳴) / Ānàpútí (Mǎmíng)	A-Na-Bồ-Đề (Mã-Minh)	Anabotei (Memyō)	아슈바고샤 (마명) / Asyupakosya (Mamyŏng)
13	Kapimala	迦毘摩羅 / Jiāpímóluó	Ca-Tỳ-Ma-La	Kabimora (Kabimara)	가비마라 / Kabimara
14	Nāgārjuna	那伽閼剌樹那 (龍樹) / Nàqiéèlàshùnà (Lóngshù)	Na-Già-Át-Lạt-Thụ-Na (Long-Thọ)	Nagaarajuna (Ryūju)	나가알랄수나 (용수) / Nakaallalsuna (Yongsu)
15	Āryadeva / Kānadeva	迦那提婆 / Jiānàtípó	Ca-Na-Đề-Bà	Kanadaiba	가나제바 / Kanajeba
16	Rāhulata	羅睺羅多 / Luóhóuluóduō	La-Hầu-La-Đa	Ragorata	라후라다 / Rahurada
17	Sanghānandi	僧伽難提 / Sēngqiénántí	Tăng-Già-Nan-Đề	Sōgyanandai	승가난제 / Sŭngsananje
18	Sanghayaśas	僧伽舍多 / Sēngqiéshèduō	Tăng-Già-Da-Xá	Sōgyayasha	가야사다 / Kayasada
19	Kumārata	鳩摩羅多 / Jiūmóluóduō	Cưu-Ma-La-Đa	Kumorata (Kumarata)	구마라다 / Kumarada
20	Śayata / Jayata	闍夜多 / Shéyèduō	Xà-Dạ-Đa	Shayata	사야다 / Sayada
21	Vasubandhu	婆修盤頭 (世親) / Póxiūpántóu (Shìqīn)	Bà-Tu-Bàn-Đầu (Thế-Thân)	Bashubanzu (Sejin)	바수반두 (세친) / Pasubandu (Sechin)
22	Manorhita	摩拏羅 / Mónáluó	Ma-Noa-La	Manura	마나라 / Manara
23	Haklenayaśas	鶴勒那 (鶴勒那夜奢) / Hèlènà (Hèlènàyèzhě)	Hạc-Lặc-Na	Kakurokuna (Kakurokunayasha)	학륵나 / Haklŭkna
24	Simhabodhi	師子菩提 / Shīzǐpútí	Sư-Tử-Bồ-Đề / Sư-Tử-Trí	Shishibodai	사자 / Saja
25	Vasiasita	婆舍斯多 / Póshèsīduō	Bà-Xá-Tư-Đa	Bashashita	바사사다 / Pasasada
26	Punyamitra	不如密多 / Bùrúmìduō	Bất-Như-Mật-Đa	Funyomitta	불여밀다 / Punyŏmilta
27	Prajñātāra	般若多羅 / Bānruòduōluó	Bát-Nhã-Đa-La	Hannyatara	반야다라 / Panyadara
28	Dharma / Bodhidharma	Ta Mo / 菩提達磨 / Pútídámó	Đạt-Ma / Bồ-Đề-Đạt-Ma	Daruma / Bodaidaruma	Tal Ma / 보리달마 / Poridalma

The First Six Ancestors of the Chinese Lineage

The earliest lineages described the lineage from Bodhidharma to Huineng. There is no generally accepted 7th Chinese Patriarch.

The principle teachers of the Chan, Seon and Zen traditions are commonly known in the first English translations as Patriarchs; however, the current trend is to use the more precise terminology of "Ancestors" or "Founders" (祖) and "Ancestral Masters" or "Founding Masters" (祖師) as the original terms are gender neutral. Various records of different authors are known, which give a variation of transmission lines:

	The Continued Biographies of Eminent Monks Xù gāosēng zhuàn 續高僧傳 of Dàoxuān 道宣 (596-667)	The Record of the Transmission of the Dharma-Jewel Chuán fǎbǎo jì 傳法寶記 of Dù Fěi 杜胐	History of Masters and Disciples of the Laṅkāvatāra-Sūtra Léngqié shīzī jì 楞伽師資紀記 of Jìngjué 淨覺 (ca. 683 - ca. 650)	The Xiǎnzōngjì 显宗记 of Shénhuì 神会
1	Bodhidharma	Bodhidharma	Bodhidharma	Bodhidharma
2	Huìkě 慧可 (487? - 593)	Dàoyù 道育	Dàoyù 道育	Dàoyù 道育
		Huìkě 慧可 (487? - 593)	Huìkě 慧可 (487? - 593)	Huìkě 慧可 (487? - 593)
3	Sēngcàn 僧璨 (d.606)	Sēngcàn 僧璨 (d.606)	Sēngcàn 僧璨 (d.606)	Sēngcàn 僧璨 (d.606)
4	Dàoxìn 道信 (580 - 651)	Dàoxìn 道信 (580 - 651)	Dàoxìn 道信 (580 - 651)	Dàoxìn 道信 (580 - 651)
5	Hóngrěn 弘忍 (601 - 674)	Hóngrěn 弘忍 (601 - 674)	Hóngrěn 弘忍 (601 - 674)	Hóngrěn 弘忍 (601 - 674)
6	-	Fǎrú 法如 (638-689)	Yuquan Shenxiu 神秀 (606? - 706)	Huìnéng 慧能 (638-713)
		Yuquan Shenxiu 神秀 (606? - 706) 神秀	Xuánzé 玄賾
7	-	-	-	Xuánjué 玄覺 (665-713)

Tang Dynasty

Hongren - Huineng - Northern School - Shitou-lineage - Mazu-lineage - Southern School

Huineng tearing sutras

See also: East Mountain Teaching

The period of Dayi Daoxin (道信 580–651) and Daman Hongren (弘忍 601–674) came to be called the East Mountain Teaching, due to the location of the residence of Hongren at Huamgmei. The term was used by Yuquan Shenxiu, the most important successor to Hongren.

Yuquan Shenxiu (神秀 606?-706) was the most important successor to Daman Hongren. In 701 he was invited to the Imperial Court by Wu Zetian, who paid him due imperial reverence. The first lineage documents were produced in this period.

According to tradition, the sixth and last ancestral founder, Huineng (惠能; 638–713), was one of the giants of Chan history, and all surviving schools regard him as their ancestor.

Shenhui, a successor to Huineng, claimed Huineng to be the successor of Hongren instead of the publicly recognized successor Yuquan Shenxiu. The most prominent of the successors of Shenhui's lineage was Guifeng Zongmi Shenhui's influence is traceable in the Platform Sutra, which gives a popular account of the story of Huineng, but also reconciles the antagonism created by Shenhui. Shenhui himself does not figure in the Platform Sutra; he was effectively written out of Chan history.

	Predecessors
5	Daman Hongren (601-674)(5th Patriarch) (WG Ta-man Hung-jen, Jpn. Gunin)
6	Yuquan Shenxiu (605?-706) (WG Yü-Ch'uan shen-hsiu, Jpn. Jinshū)	Huineng (638-713) (WG Hui-neng, Jpn. Enō)
7	Northern School	Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG Ch'ing-yüan Hsing-ssu, Jpn. Seigen Gyōshi)	Nanyue Huairang (677-744) (wg Nan-yüeh Huai-jang, Jpn. Nangaku Ejō)	Heze Shenhui (WG Ho-tse Shen-hui, Jpn. Kataku Jin'e)
8		Shitou Xiqian (700-790) (WG Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien, Jpn. Sekitō Kisen)	Mazu Daoyi (709-788) (WG Ma-tsu Tao-i, Jpn. Baso Dōitsu)	Southern School (WG Ho-tse School, Jpn. Kataku School)
9		Fayan school Yunmen school Caodong school)	Hongzhou school Linji school
				Fifth generation: Guifeng Zongmi (780–841) ((圭峰 宗密 WG Kuei-feng Tsung-mi, Jpn. Keihō Shūmitsu)

Shitou Xiqian - Fayan School - Yunmen school - Caodong/Soto school

Main articles: Shitou Xiqian and Caodong school

The details of Shítóu's life are found in traditional biographies. Scholar Mario Poceski writes that Shítóu does not appear to have been influential or famous during his lifetime. Sayings to the effect that Shitou and Mazu Daoyi were the two great masters of their day date from decades after their respective deaths. Shítóu's retrospective prominence owes much to the importance of Dongshan Liangjie, a 9th-century teacher who traced his lineage back to Shítóu.

	Six Patriarchs
	Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō)
	Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi)
0	Shitou Xiqian (700-790) (WG: Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien. Jpn: Sekitō Kisen)
1	Tianhuang Daowu (748-807) (WG: T'ien-huang Tao-wu. Jpn: Tennō Dago)		Yaoshan Weiyan (ca.745-828) (Yao-shan Wei-yen, Jpn. Yakusan Igen)
2	Longtan Chongxin (8th/9th century) (WG: Lung-t'an Ch'ung-hsin; Jpn: Ryūtan Sōshin)		Yunyan Tansheng (780-841) (Yün-yen T'an-shen, Jpn. Ungan Donjō)
3	Deshan Xuanjian (782-865) (WG: Te-shan Hsüan-chien; Jpn: Tokusan Senkan)		Dongshan Liangjie (807-869) Tung-shan liang-chieh, Jpn. Tōzan Ryōkai)
4	Xuefeng Yicun (822-908)(雪峰 义 存) (WG: Hsüeh-feng I-ts'un. Jpn: Seppō Gison)		Caoshan Benji (840-901) (Ts'ao-shan Pen-chi, Jpn. Sōzan Honjaku)	Yunju Daoying (d.902) (Yün-chü Tao-ying, Jpn. Ungo Dōyō)
5	Jingqing Daotu (ca.863-937) (WG: Ching-ch'ing Tao-fu. Jpn: Kyōsei Dōfu)	Yunmen Wenyan (864-949) (WG: Yün-men Wen-yen. Jpn: Ummon Bun'en)	Caodong school	8 generations
6	Xuansha Shibei (835-908)	Dongshan Shouchu (910-990)		Dōgen
7	Luohan Guichen (867-928)	Yunmen school		Sōtō
8	Fayan Wenyi (885-958)
9	Fayan school

Mazu - Hongzhou school - Guiyang school - Linji school

Traditionally, Mazu Daoyi is depicted as a successor in the lineage of Huineng, since his teacher Nanyue Huairang is regarded as a student and successor of Huineng. This connection between Huineng and Nanyue Huairang is doubtful, being the product of later rewritings of Chan history to place Mazu Daoyi in the traditional lineages.

Mazu Daoyi is perhaps the most influential teaching master in the formation of Chan Buddhism. While Chan became the dominant school of Buddhism during the Song dynasty, the later Tang dynasty and Mazu Daoyi's Hongzhou school became regarded as the "golden age" of Chan. The An Lushan Rebellion (755-763) led to a loss of control by the Tang dynasty, and metropolitan Chan began to lose its status while "other schools were arising in outlying areas controlled by warlords. These are the forerunnersof the Chan we know today. Their origins are obscure; the power of Shen-hui's preaching is shown by the fact that they all trace themselves to Hui-neng."

Six Patriarchs
Huineng (638-713) (Hui-neng, Jpn. Enō)
Nanyue Huairang (677-744) (Nan-yüeh Huai-jang, Jpn. Nangaku Ejō))
Mazu Daoyi (709-788) (Ma-tsu Tao-i, Jpn. Baso Dōitsu)
Nanquan Puyuan (748-835) (Nan-ch'üan p'u-yüan, Jpn. Nansen Fugan)	Baizhang Huaihai (720-814) (Pai-chang Huai-hai, Jpn. Hyakujō Ekai)
Zhaozhou Congshen (778--879) (Chao-chou Ts'ung-shen, Jpn. Jōshū Jūshin)	Huangbo Xiyun (d.850) (Huang-po Hsi-yüan, Jpn. Ōbaku Kiun)	Guishan Lingyou (771-853) (Kuei-shan Ling-yu, Jpn. Isan Reiyū)
	Linji Yixuan (d.866) (Lin-chi I-hsüan, Jpn. Rinzai Gigen)	Guiyang school
	Linji school

Song Dynasty - The Five Houses of Chán

During the Song the Five Houses (Ch. 五家) of Chán, or five "schools", were recognized. These were not originally regarded as "schools" or "sects", but based on the various Chán-genealogies. Historically they have come to be understood as "schools".

The Five Houses of Chán are:

• Guiyang school (潙仰宗), named after masters Guishan Lingyou (771–854) and Yangshan Huiji (813–890), dharma-descendants of Mazu Daoyi;
• Linji school (臨濟宗), named after master Linji Yixuan (died 866), whose lineage came to be traced back to Mazu, establishing him as the archetypal iconoclastic Chán-master;
• Caodong school (曹洞宗), named after masters Dongshan Liangjie (807–869) and Caoshan Benji (840–901);
• Yunmen school (雲門宗), named after master Yunmen Wenyan (died 949), a student of Xuefeng Yicun (822-908), whose lineage was traced back to Shitou Xiqian:
• Fayan school (法眼宗), named after master Fayan Wenyi (885–958), a "grand-student" of Xuefeng Yicun.

Guiyang school

Main article: Guiyang school

The Guiyang school (潙仰宗 Guíyáng, Jpn. Igyō) was the first established school of the Five Houses of Zen. Guiyang is named after master Guishan Lingyou (771–854) (Kuei-shan Ling-yu, Jpn. Isan Reiyū) and his student, Yangshan Huiji (807-883, or 813–890) (Yang-shan Hui-chi, Jpn. Kyōzan Ejaku). After founding the Guiyang School, Yangshan moved his school to what is now modern Jiangxi.

The Guiyang school was distinct from the other schools due to its use of esoteric metaphors and imagery in the school's kōans and other teachings.

Six Patriarchs

Huineng (638-713) (Hui-neng, Jpn. Enō)

Nanyue Huairang (677-744) (Nan-yüeh Huai-jang, Jpn. Nangaku Ejō))

Mazu Daoyi (709-788) (Ma-tsu Tao-i, Jpn. Baso Dōitsu)

Baizhang Huaihai (720-814) (Pai-chang Huai-hai, Jpn. Hyakujō Ekai)

Guishan Lingyou (771-853) (Kuei-shan Ling-yu, Jpn. Isan Reiyū)

Yangshan Huiji (807-883) (Yang-shan Hui-chi, Jpn. Kyōzan Ejaku)

Guiyang school

Fayan school and Yunmen school

Main articles: Fayan school and Yunmen school

Via Xuefeng Yicun the Fayang school and Yunmen school are traced back to Shitou Xiqian and Huineng. Xuefeng was one of the most influential Chán-teachers at the end of the Tang Dynasty, when "a widely influential zen center formed around Xuefeng Yicun". The loss of control by the Tang Dynasty, and the accompanying loss of support for Buddhist institutions, lead to a regionally based Chan of Xuefeng and his students.

The Zutang ji (祖堂集 "Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall), compiled in 952, the first document which mentions Linji Yixuan, was written to support the Xuefeng Yicun lineage. It pictures this lineage as heir to the legacy of Mazu and the Hongzhou-school, though Xuefeng Yicun's lineage is traced back to Shitou Xiqian (700-790). It was written by two students of Zhaoqing Wendeng (884-972), a dharma descendant of Xuefeng Yicun.

	Six Patriarchs
	Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō)
	Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi)
	Shitou Xiqian (700-790) (WG: Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien. Jpn: Sekitō Kisen)
	Tianhuang Daowu (748-807) (WG: T'ien-huang Tao-wu. Jpn: Tennō Dago)
	Longtan Chongxin (8th/9th century) (WG: Lung-t'an Ch'ung-hsin; Jpn: Ryūtan Sōshin)
	Deshan Xuanjian (782-865) (WG: Te-shan Hsüan-chien; Jpn: Tokusan Senkan)
0	Xuefeng Yicun (822-908)(雪峰 义 存) (WG: Hsüeh-feng I-ts'un. Jpn: Seppō Gison)
1	Jingqing Daotu (ca.863-937) (WG: Ching-ch'ing Tao-fu. Jpn: Kyōsei Dōfu)	Yunmen Wenyan (864-949) (WG: Yün-men Wen-yen. Jpn: Ummon Bun'en)
2	Xuansha Shibei (835-908)	Dongshan Shouchu (910-990)
3	Luohan Guichen (867-928)	Yunmen school
4	Fayan Wenyi (885-958)
	Fayan school

Linji school

Main article: Linji school

During the Northern Song (960–1127), the Song capital was in the northern city of Bianjing (now Kaifeng) and the dynasty controlled most of inner China. The Fayan school was the first faction to gain recognition at the Song court, due to the influence of the buddhist scholar-official Zanning (919-1001). After his death this position was taken over by the linji-faction.

The linji-school of the Song Dynasty brought together the classical elements of Zen:

• The denlu-genre, the "Transmission of the Lamp";
• The yulu-genre, the recorded sayings of the masters of the Tang;
• The gongan (koan) collections, describing fictiounous dialogues and interactions between masters and students, supplemented with introductions, commentary and poetry;
• The Hua Tou practice, the meditative concentration on the "word-head" of a gongan as an aid in attaining kensho;
• The notion of "a special transmission outside the scripture" as one of the defining characteristics of Zen.

All of these elements, which shaped the picture of the iconoclastic Zen-master who transmits a wordless truth, were shaped by and dependent on literary products that shaped the Traditional Zen Narrative which furthered the position of the Linji-school. This narrative did not describe the actual Chán-practice, neither of the Song-Dynasty, nor of the Tang Dynasty.

According to Welter, the real founder of the Linji-school was Shoushan (or Baoying) Shengnian (首山省念) (926-993), a fourth generation dharma-heir of Linji. The Tiansheng Guangdeng lu (天聖廣燈錄), "Tiansheng Era Expanded Lamp Record", compiled by the official Li Zunxu (李遵勗) (988-1038) confirms the status of Shoushan Shengnian, but also pictures Linji as a major Chan patriarch and heir to the Hongzhou school of Mazu Daoyi, displacing the prominence of the Fayan-lineage. It also established the slogan of "a special transmission outside the teaching", supporting the Linji-school claim of "Chan as separate from and superior to all other Buddhist teachings".

	Six Patriarchs
	Huineng (638-713) (Hui-neng, Jpn. Enō)
	Nanyue Huairang (677-744) (Nan-yüeh Huai-jang, Jpn. Nangaku Ejō))
	Mazu Daoyi (709-788) (Ma-tsu Tao-i, Jpn. Baso Dōitsu)
	Baizhang Huaihai (720-814) (Pai-chang Huai-hai, Jpn. Hyakujō Ekai)
	Huangbo Xiyun (d.850) (Huang-po Hsi-yüan, Jpn. Ōbaku Kiun)
	Linji Yixuan (d.866) (Lin-chi I-hsüan, Jpn. Rinzai Gigen)
	Xinghua Cunjiang
	Nanyuan Huiyong
	Shoushan Xingnian
	Fenyang Shanzhao
	Shishuang Chuyuan
	Yangqi Fanghui			Huanglong Huinan
	Baiyun Shouduan			Hui-t'ang Tsu-hsin
	Wuzu Fayan			Ssu-hsin W-hsin
	Kaifu Daoning	Yuanwu Keqin		Several generations
	Yue'an Shanguo	Hu-ch'in Shao-lung	Dahui Zonggao	Eisai
	Lao-na Tsu-teng	Ying-an T'an-hua
	Yüeh-lin Shih-kuan	Mi-an Hsien-chieh
	Wu-men Hui-k'ai	Sung-yüan Ch'ung-yüeh
	Shinchi Kakushin	Rinzai school
		Hakuin
		Rinzai school

Caodong school

Main article: Caodong school

The Caodong school was founded by Dongshan Liangjie and his Dharma-heirs in the 9th century.

	Six Patriarchs
	Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō)
	Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi)
	Shitou Xiqian (700-790) (WG: Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien. Jpn: Sekitō Kisen)
	Yaoshan Weiyan (ca.745-828) (Yao-shan Wei-yen, Jpn. Yakusan Igen)
	Yunyan Tansheng (780-841) (Yün-yen T'an-shen, Jpn. Ungan Donjō)			Linji lineage Linji school
0	Dongshan Liangjie (807-869) Tung-shan liang-chieh, Jpn. Tōzan Ryōkai)			Linji Yixuan
1	Caoshan Benji (840-901) (Ts'ao-shan Pen-chi, Jpn. Sōzan Honjaku)	Yunju Daoying (d.902) (Yün-chü Tao-ying, Jpn. Ungo Dōyō)		Xinghua Cunjiang
2		Tongan Daopi (Daopi)		Nanyuan Huiyong
3		Tongan Guanzhi (Tongan)		Fengxue Yanzhao
4		Liangshan Yuanguan		Shoushan Xingnian
5		Dayang Jingxuan (942-1027) (Dayang)		Shexian Guixing
		Fushan Fayuan (Rinzai-master) )
6		Touzi Yiqing (1032-1083) (Touzi)
7		Furong Daokai (1043-1118) (Daokai)
8		Danxia Zichun (1064-1117) (Danxia)
9		Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091-1157)	Zhenxie Qingliao (Wukong)
10			Tiantong Zongjue (Zongjue)
11			Xuedou Zhijian (Zhijian)
12			Tiantong Rujing (Rujing)
13			Dōgen
			Soto-lineage Soto school

Japanese Zen

Twenty-four different Zen-lineages are recorded to be transmitted to Japan. Only three survived until today. Sōtō was transmitted to Japan by Dogen, who travelled to China for Chan training in the 13th century CE. After receiving Dharma transmission in the Caodong line he returned to Japan and established the Sōtō line. The Linji line was also transmitted to Japan several times, where it became known as the Rinzai line.

Soto school

Main article: Sōtō

Though Dōgen emphasized the importance of the purity of the teachings, and highly valued lineage and dharma transmission, the Soto-school has its origins in various lineages and dharma transmissions. Dogen received dharma transmission from his Chinese teacher Rujing, with whom he studied two years, but in medieval Soto he was also considered to be a dharma heir of Myōzen, a Rinzai-teacher, with whom he studied eight years. And Tettsū Gikai, the dharma-grandson of Dogen, was also lineage-holder of Nōnin, the founder of the Dharuma-shu, also a Rinzai-school. Gikai passed this linegae over to Keizan, who thereby was also lineage-holder in at least two lineages.

To make the history of Soto even more complicated, the Caodong-lineage that Dogen inherited through Rujing was passed on previously from the Caodong-master Dayang Jingxuan to Touzi Yiqing via the Rinzai-master Fushan Fayuan. Fushan Fayuan had once studied under Dayang Jingxuan. When Jingxuan died Fayuan had received Jingxuan's "portrait, robe, and a verse that expressed his teaching", promising "to pass them on to a suitable successor". Fayuan chose his student Touzi Yiqing to inherit this lineage, a fact that was acknowledged in Keizan's Denkoroku, but "[i]n the standard versions of Dogen's writings, however, all direct references to Yiqing's indirect succession have been eliminated".

	Six Patriarchs
	Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō)
	Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi)
	Shitou Xiqian (700-790) (WG: Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien. Jpn: Sekitō Kisen)
	Yaoshan Weiyan (ca.745-828) (Yao-shan Wei-yen, Jpn. Yakusan Igen)
	Yunyan Tansheng (780-841) (Yün-yen T'an-shen, Jpn. Ungan Donjō)			Linji lineage Linji school
0	Dongshan Liangjie (807-869) Tung-shan liang-chieh, Jpn. Tōzan Ryōkai)			Linji Yixuan
1	Caoshan Benji (840-901) (Ts'ao-shan Pen-chi, Jpn. Sōzan Honjaku)	Yunju Daoying (d.902) (Yün-chü Tao-ying, Jpn. Ungo Dōyō)		Xinghua Cunjiang
2		Tongan Daopi (Daopi)		Nanyuan Huiyong
3		Tongan Guanzhi (Tongan)		Fengxue Yanzhao
4		Liangshan Yuanguan		Shoushan Xingnian
5		Dayang Jingxuan (Dayang)		Shexian Guixing
		Fushan Fayuan (Rinzai-master) )
6		Touzi Yiqing (Touzi)
7		Furong Daokai (Daokai)
8		Danxia Zichun (Danxia)
9		Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091-1157)	Zhenxie Qingliao (Wukong)
10			Tiantong Zongjue (Zongjue)	Linji lineage Linji school
11			Xuedou Zhijian (Zhijian)	Eisai	Linji lineage Linji school
12			Tiantong Rujing (Rujing)	Myozen	Dahui Zonggao
13			Dōgen		Zhuóān Déguāng (拙庵德光, 1121–1203)
14			Koun Ejō		Nōnin
15			Tettsū Gikai
16			Keizan
			Sōtō

Rinzai school

Main articles: Rinzai school, Ōtōkan, and Hakuin

The Linji school was first brought to Japan by Eisai.

The Otokan lineage was founded by Nanpo Jōmyō 南浦紹明 (1235–1308), who received transmission in China from the monk Xutang Zhiyu 虚堂智愚 (Japanese Kido Chigu, 1185–1269) in 1265, who then returned to Japan in 1267. It was then spread by his student Shuho Myocho (second generation) and Kanzan Egen (third generation), who made it an influential school.

The two main schools today are Takujū and Inzan, which both descent from Hakuin.

	Linji lineage Linji school
	Eisai	Linji lineage Linji school
	Myozen	Xutang Zhiyu 虚堂智愚 (Japanese Kido Chigu, 1185–1269)
		Nanpo Shōmyō (南浦紹明?) (1235–1308)
		Shuho Myocho
		Kanzan Egen 關山慧玄 (1277–1360) founder of Myōshin-ji		Tettō Gikō (1295–1369) Gongai Sōchū (1315–1390)
		Juō Sōhitsu (1296–1380)
		Muin Sōin (1326–1410)
		Tozen Soshin (Sekko Soshin) (1408–1486)
		Toyo Eicho (1429–1504)
		Taiga Tankyo (?–1518)
		Koho Genkun (?–1524)
		Sensho Zuisho (?–?)
		Ian Chisatsu (1514–1587)
		Tozen Soshin (1532–1602)
		Yozan Keiyō (?–?)
		Gudō Toshoku (1577–1661)
		Shidō Bu'nan (1603–1676)
		Shoju Rojin (Shoju Ronin, Dokyu Etan, 1642–1721)
		Hakuin (1686-1768)
		# Gasan Jitō 峨山慈棹 (1727–1797)
		Inzan Ien 隱山惟琰 (1751–1814)	Takujū Kosen 卓洲胡僊 (1760–1833)
		Inzan lineage	Takujū lineage
		Rinzai school	Rinzai school

Western Zen

See also: Buddhism in the West and Zen in the USA

Although it is difficult to trace when the West first became aware of Zen as a distinct form of Buddhism, the visit of Soyen Shaku, a Japanese Zen monk, to Chicago during the World Parliament of Religions in 1893 is often pointed to as an event that enhanced its profile in the Western world. It was during the late 1950s and the early 1960s that the number of Westerners, other than the descendants of Asian immigrants, pursuing a serious interest in Zen began to reach a significant level. Especially Japanese Zen has gained popularity in the West. Quintessential in this popularity were the books published by D.T. Suzuki. The various books on Zen by Reginald Horace Blyth, and Alan Watts published between 1950 and 1975, contributed to this growing interest in Zen in the West, as did the interest from beat poets such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and Gary Snyder.

The most successful implementation of Zen-practice was brought about by Shunryu Suzuki, Hakuun Yasutani, and Yasutani's student Taizan Maezumi.

Shunryu Suzuki

Main article: Shunryu Suzuki

Shunryu Suzuki (鈴木 俊隆 Suzuki Shunryū, dharma name Shōgaku Shunryū 祥岳俊隆, often called Suzuki Roshi) (born May 18, 1904, Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan; died December 4, 1971 in San Francisco, CA, USA) was a Sōtō Zen monk and teacher who helped popularize Zen Buddhism in the United States, and is renowned for founding the first Buddhist monastery outside Asia (Tassajara Zen Mountain Center). Suzuki founded San Francisco Zen Center, which along with its affiliate temples, comprises one of the most influential Zen organizations in the United States. A book of his teachings, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, is one of the most popular books on Zen and Buddhism in the West.

Soto lineage Soto school
Shunryu Suzuki (1904—1971)
Richard Baker (born 1936)	Hoitsu Suzuki (born 1939)
Tenshin Reb Anderson (born 1943) Meiya Wender (?—present) Furyu Nancy Schroeder (?—present) Taigen Dan Leighton (born 1950) Kiku Christina Lehnherr (?—present) Myo Denis Lahey (born 1951) Setsuan Gaelyn Godwin (born 1951) Ananda Claude Dalenberg (☸ 1927—2008) Eijun Linda Cutts (?—present) Taiyo Lipscomb (?—present) Sobun Katherine Thanas (?—present) Kokyo Henkel (born 1966) Leslie James (?—present) lay entrsutment Paul Zengyu Discoe (?—present) Jakujo Gary McNabb (1943—present) Chikudo Jerome Peterson (☸ 1928—2010) Ryuten Paul Rosenblum (?—present) Philip Whalen (☸ 1923—2002) Issan Dorsey (☸ 1933—1990) Chikai Yaku Jun (Harper Leah) (born 1946)	Sojun Mel Weitsman (born 1929) Josho Pat Phelan (?—present) Mary Mocine (?—present) Myoan Grace Schireson (born 1946) Jane Myokaku Schneider (?—present) Myosho Baika Andrea Pratt (born 1960) Shinshu Roberts (?—present) Daijaku Judith Kinst (?—present) Soshin Teah Strozer (?—present) Chikudo Lew Richmond (?—present) Peter Yozen Schneider (?—present) Shosan Victoria Austin (?—present) Dairyu Michael Wenger (born 1947) Darlene Su Rei Cohen (☸ 1942—2011) Susan Ji-On Postal (?—present) Myozan Dennis Keegan (?—present) Horyu Ryotan Cynthia Kear (?—present) Sarita Tamayo-Moraga (?—present) Mark Lancaster (?—present) Marsha Angus (?—present) lay entrustment Bernd Bender (1958—present) lay entrustment Jamie Howell (born 1945) lay entrustment Hozan Alan Senauke (born 1947) Maylie Scott (☸ 1935—2001) Fran Tribe (☸) Gil Fronsdal (born 1954) Edward Espe Brown (born 1945) Danny Parker Ryushin Paul Haller (born 1947) Myogen Steve Stucky (?—present) Steve Weintraub (?—present) Zoketsu Norman Fischer (born 1946) Do-An Robert Thomas (?—present) Shokan Jordan Thorn (?—present) Ingen Breen (?—present) Bruce Fortin (?—present) Arlene Lueck (?—present) Daigan Lueck (?—present) Shinko Rick Slone (?—present) Gloria Ann Lee (?—present) Myphon Hunt (?—present) retired Gyokujun Teishin Layla Smith (born 1946) Eihei Peter Levitt (?—present) lay entrustment Mick Sopko (?—present) lay entrustment Zenkei Blanche Hartman (?—present) Kosho McCall (born 1946) Seirin Barbara Kohn (?—present) retired Gengetsu Jana Drakka (born 1952) John Daniel King (☸ 1935—2001) Ryumon Hilda Guitierrez Baldoquin (?—present) Jakusho Kwong (born 1935) Keido Les Kaye (born 1923) Misha Shungen Merrill (?—present) Jean-Yves Leclerc (?—present) Om Devi Reynolds (?—present) Cornelia Junfu Shonkwiler (?—present) Etsudo Patty Krahl (?—present) Jintei Harold Little (?—present) Robby Ryuzen Pellett (born 1956)

Hakuun Yasutani

Main articles: Hakuun Yasutani and Sanbo Kyodan

Hakuun Yasutani (安谷 白雲, Yasutani Hakuun, 1885–1973) was a Sōtō Rōshi, the founder of the Sanbo Kyodan Zen Buddhist organization. The Sanbõ Kyõdan incorporates Rinzai Kōan study as well as much of Soto tradition, a style Yasutani had learned from his teacher Harada Daiun Sogaku. As founder of the Sanbo Kyodan, and teacher of Taizan Maezumi, Yasutani has been one of the most influential persons in bringing Zen practice to the west. Although the membership of Sanbo Kyodan is small, 3,790 registered followers and 24 instructors in 1988, "the Sanbõkyõdan has had an inordinate influence on Zen in the West". His westerns students have spread out via Taizan Maezumi.

	Soto lineage				Rinzai lineage
	Harada Sodo Kakusho (1844–1931)				Dokutan Sosan (a.k.a. Dokutan Toyota) (1840–1917)			Rinzai lineage
	Harada Daiun Sogaku (1871–1961)						Soto lineage	Joko Roshi
	Hakuun Yasutani					Hakuun Yasutani	Baian Hakujun Kuroda	Koryu Osaka (1901–1985)
	Brigitte Koun-an Doru Chiko Daishi D'Ortschy (1921–1990)	Akira Ji'un-ken Kubota (born 1932)	Myodo Ni Satomi (1896–1978)	Philip Kapleau (1912–2004)	Yamada Koun (1907–1989)	Taizan Maezumi (1931–1995)
		Willigis Jäger (born 1925)		Bishop, Mitra (born 1941) Henry, Michael Danan (born 1939) Gifford, Dane Zenson Graef, Sunyana (born 1948) Kjolhede, Sonja Sunya Sensei Low, Albert (born 1928) Sachter, Lawson David Toni Packer (born 1927) (Independent) Clarke, Richard (1933–2013) (Independent)	Yukiyoshi Zuiun-ken Adachi Reiko Houn-an Adachi Robert Chotan Gyoun Aitken Osamu Shoun-ken Ashida Fr. Niklaus Goun-ken Brantschen, SJ Uta Ryuun-an Dreisbach Sr. Ludwigis Koun-an Fabian, OSB Lourdes Mila Gyokuun-an Golez Ruben Keiun-ken Habito Kodo Nyoun-ken Hasegawa Tetsuo Taiun-ken Hiyama Fr. Willigis Koun-ken Jaeger, OSB Akira Ji'un-ken Kubota Heidi Heki-un an Kern Johannes Houn-ken Kopp Victor Yuun-ken Loew Peter Choun-ken Lengsfeld David Tetsuun-ken Loy Sr. Elaine Koun-an MacInnes Gundula Zuiun-an Meyer Carmen Baika-an Monske Teizo Kaku'un-ken Nakamura Tsuneo Go'un-ken Oda Akira Soun-ken Onda Silvia Rin'un-an Ostertag Sonia Shuni-an Punzalan Kathleen Seiun-an Reiley Joan Jo-un Rieck Ama Genun-ken Samy Ana Maria Kiun-an Schlüter Rodes Shitetsu Shoun-ken Sendo Paul Choun-ken Shepherd Roselyn Seiun-an Stone Toshio Hekiun-ken Tonoike Shue Reiunken Usami Masamichi Ryoun-ken Yamada	Alfred Jitsudo Ancheta Susan Myoyu Andersen-Palmer Jan Chozen Bays (born 1945) Charlotte Joko Beck (1917–2011) Charles Tenshin Fletcher Tetsugen Bernard Glassman (born 1939) John Daido Loori (1931–2009) Dennis Genpo Merzel (born 1944) Nicolee Jikyo Miller-McMahon Louis Mitsunen Nordstrom (born 1943) John Tesshin Sanderson Gerry Shishin Wick William Nyogen Yeo (born 1936)

See also

• Dharma transmission
• Lineage (Buddhism)
• Seung Sahn Soen Sa Nim's lineage chart
• Thích Nhất Hạnh's lineage chart
• Sheng-yen's lineage chart

External links

• Map of the Zen Ancestors
• A Directory of various Zen, Dhyāna, Ch'an, Son, Thien Lineages
• Caodong Family Tree
• Hakuin School of Zen Buddhism
• Sanbo Kyodan: Harada-Yasutani School of Zen Buddhism and its Teachers
• Shunryu Suzuki lineage
• Chinese Zen Masters
• T'ang Dynasty Masters, Rinzai Line (from Hui Neng to Hakuin), Roshi Joshu Sasaki lineage