# 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

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 lineage-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 Buddha (Anan) | 아난다 (아난) / Ananda Buddha (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 | Manorhitajuna | 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 / Bōrěduōluó | Bát-Nhã-Đa-La | Hannyatara | 반야다라 / Panyadara |
| 28 | Dharmayana / 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 |
| 2 | Huìkě 慧可 (487? - 593) | 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) |
| 6 | - | Yuquan Shenxiu 神秀 (606? - 706) 神秀 | Xuánzé 玄賾 | Huìnéng 慧能 (638-713) |
| 7 | - | - | - | Xuánjué 玄覺 (665-713) |

### Tang dynasty
#### Hongren - Huineng - Northern School - Shitou-lineage - Mazu-lineage - Southern School

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 | Predecessors | Predecessors | Predecessors |
| 5 | Daman Hongren (601-674)(5th Patriarch) (WG Ta-man Hung-jen, Jpn. Gunin) | Daman Hongren (601-674)(5th Patriarch) (WG Ta-man Hung-jen, Jpn. Gunin) | Daman Hongren (601-674)(5th Patriarch) (WG Ta-man Hung-jen, Jpn. Gunin) | 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) | Huineng (638-713) (WG Hui-neng, Jpn. Enō) | 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

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 | Six Patriarchs | Six Patriarchs | Six Patriarchs |
| | Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) | Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) | Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) | Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) |
| | Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi) | Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi) | Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi) | 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) | Shitou Xiqian (700-790) (WG: Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien. Jpn: Sekitō Kisen) | Shitou Xiqian (700-790) (WG: Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien. Jpn: Sekitō Kisen) | 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) | 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) | 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) | 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) | 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) | Deshan Xuanjian (782-865) (WG: Te-shan Hsüan-chien; Jpn: Tokusan Senkan) | Dongshan Liangjie (807-869) Tung-shan liang-chieh, Jpn. Tōzan Ryōkai) | 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) | 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) | 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

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

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 | Six Patriarchs |
| | Huineng (638–713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) | Huineng (638–713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) |
| | Qingyuan Xingsi (660–740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi) | 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) | 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) | 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) | 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) | 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) | 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

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 | Yangqi Fanghui | Yangqi Fanghui | Huanglong Huinan |
| Baiyun Shouduan | Baiyun Shouduan | Baiyun Shouduan | Hui-t'ang Tsu-hsin |
| Wuzu Fayan | Wuzu Fayan | Wuzu Fayan | Ssu-hsin W-hsin |
| Kaifu Daoning | Yuanwu Keqin | Yuanwu Keqin | Several generations |
| Yue'an Shanguo | Hu-ch'iu 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

The Caodong school was founded by Dongshan Liangjie and his Dharma-heirs in the 9th century.
| | Six Patriarchs | Six Patriarchs | Six Patriarchs | |
| | Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) | Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) | Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) | |
| | Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi) | Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi) | 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) | Shitou Xiqian (700-790) (WG: Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien. Jpn: Sekitō Kisen) | 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) | Yaoshan Weiyan (ca.745-828) (Yao-shan Wei-yen, Jpn. Yakusan Igen) | Yaoshan Weiyan (ca.745-828) (Yao-shan Wei-yen, Jpn. Yakusan Igen) | |
| | Yunyan Tansheng (780-841) (Yün-yen T'an-shen, Jpn. Ungan Donjō) | Yunyan Tansheng (780-841) (Yün-yen T'an-shen, Jpn. Ungan Donjō) | 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) | Dongshan Liangjie (807-869) Tung-shan liang-chieh, Jpn. Tōzan Ryōkai) | 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) | Yunju Daoying (d.902) (Yün-chü Tao-ying, Jpn. Ungo Dōyō) | Xinghua Cunjiang |
| 2 | | Tongan Daopi (Daopi) | Tongan Daopi (Daopi) | Nanyuan Huiyong |
| 3 | | Tongan Guanzhi (Tongan) | Tongan Guanzhi (Tongan) | Fengxue Yanzhao |
| 4 | | Liangshan Yuanguan | Liangshan Yuanguan | Shoushan Xingnian |
| 5 | | Dayang Jingxuan (942-1027) (Dayang) | Dayang Jingxuan (942-1027) (Dayang) | Shexian Guixing |
| | | Fushan Fayuan (Rinzai-master)) | Fushan Fayuan (Rinzai-master)) | Fushan Fayuan (Rinzai-master)) |
| 6 | | Touzi Yiqing (1032-1083) (Touzi) | Touzi Yiqing (1032-1083) (Touzi) | |
| 7 | | Furong Daokai (1043-1118) (Daokai) | Furong Daokai (1043-1118) (Daokai) | |
| 8 | | Danxia Zichun (1064-1117) (Danxia) | 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

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 lineage 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 | Six Patriarchs | Six Patriarchs | | |
| | Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) | Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) | Huineng (638-713) (WG: Hui-neng. Jpn: Enō) | | |
| | Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi) | Qingyuan Xingsi (660-740) (WG: TCh'ing yüan Hsing-ssu. Jpn: Seigen Gyōshi) | 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) | Shitou Xiqian (700-790) (WG: Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien. Jpn: Sekitō Kisen) | 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) | Yaoshan Weiyan (ca.745-828) (Yao-shan Wei-yen, Jpn. Yakusan Igen) | Yaoshan Weiyan (ca.745-828) (Yao-shan Wei-yen, Jpn. Yakusan Igen) | | |
| | Yunyan Tansheng (780-841) (Yün-yen T'an-shen, Jpn. Ungan Donjō) | Yunyan Tansheng (780-841) (Yün-yen T'an-shen, Jpn. Ungan Donjō) | 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) | Dongshan Liangjie (807-869) Tung-shan liang-chieh, Jpn. Tōzan Ryōkai) | 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) | Yunju Daoying (d.902) (Yün-chü Tao-ying, Jpn. Ungo Dōyō) | Xinghua Cunjiang | |
| 2 | | Tongan Daopi (Daopi) | Tongan Daopi (Daopi) | Nanyuan Huiyong | |
| 3 | | Tongan Guanzhi (Tongan) | Tongan Guanzhi (Tongan) | Fengxue Yanzhao | |
| 4 | | Liangshan Yuanguan | Liangshan Yuanguan | Shoushan Xingnian | |
| 5 | | Dayang Jingxuan (Dayang) | Dayang Jingxuan (Dayang) | Shexian Guixing | |
| | | Fushan Fayuan (Rinzai-master)) | Fushan Fayuan (Rinzai-master)) | Fushan Fayuan (Rinzai-master)) | |
| 6 | | Touzi Yiqing (Touzi) | Touzi Yiqing (Touzi) | | |
| 7 | | Furong Daokai (Daokai) | Furong Daokai (Daokai) | | |
| 8 | | Danxia Zichun (Danxia) | 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 | Dōgen | Zhuóān Déguāng (拙庵德光, 1121–1203) |
| 14 | | | Koun Ejō | Koun Ejō | Nōnin |
| 15 | | | Tettsū Gikai | Tettsū Gikai | Tettsū Gikai |
| 16 | | | Keizan | Keizan | Keizan |
| | | | Sōtō | Sōtō | Sōtō |

#### Rinzai school

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 :
| Xuan Huaichang | Xutang Zhiyu 虚堂智愚 (Japanese Kido Chigu, 1185–1269) | Xutang Zhiyu 虚堂智愚 (Japanese Kido Chigu, 1185–1269) | Xutang Zhiyu 虚堂智愚 (Japanese Kido Chigu, 1185–1269) |
| Eisai (1141-1215) (first to bring Linji school to Japan) | Nanpo Shōmyō (南浦紹明?), aka Entsū Daiō Kokushi (1235–1308) (brought Ōtōkan school to Japan) | Nanpo Shōmyō (南浦紹明?), aka Entsū Daiō Kokushi (1235–1308) (brought Ōtōkan school to Japan) | Nanpo Shōmyō (南浦紹明?), aka Entsū Daiō Kokushi (1235–1308) (brought Ōtōkan school to Japan) |
| Myozen | Shuho Myocho, aka Daitō Kokushi, founder of Daitoku-ji | Shuho Myocho, aka Daitō Kokushi, founder of Daitoku-ji | Shuho Myocho, aka Daitō Kokushi, founder of Daitoku-ji |
| | Kanzan Egen 關山慧玄 (1277–1360) founder of Myōshin-ji | Kanzan Egen 關山慧玄 (1277–1360) founder of Myōshin-ji | Tettō Gikō (1295–1369) Gongai Sōchū (1315–1390) |
| | Juō Sōhitsu (1296–1380) | Juō Sōhitsu (1296–1380) | |
| | Muin Sōin (1326–1410) | Muin Sōin (1326–1410) | |
| | Tozen Soshin (Sekko Soshin) (1408–1486) | Tozen Soshin (Sekko Soshin) (1408–1486) | |
| | Toyo Eicho (1429–1504) | Toyo Eicho (1429–1504) | |
| | Taiga Tankyo (?–1518) | Taiga Tankyo (?–1518) | |
| | Koho Genkun (?–1524) | Koho Genkun (?–1524) | |
| | Sensho Zuisho (?–?) | Sensho Zuisho (?–?) | |
| | Ian Chisatsu (1514–1587) | Ian Chisatsu (1514–1587) | |
| | Tozen Soshin (1532–1602) | Tozen Soshin (1532–1602) | |
| | Yozan Keiyō (?–?) | Yozan Keiyō (?–?) | |
| | Gudō Toshoku (1577–1661) | Gudō Toshoku (1577–1661) | |
| | Shidō Bu'nan (Munan)(1603–1676) | Shidō Bu'nan (Munan)(1603–1676) | |
| | Shoju Rojin (Shoju Ronin, Dokyu Etan, 1642–1721) | Shoju Rojin (Shoju Ronin, Dokyu Etan, 1642–1721) | Kengan Zen'etsu |
| | Hakuin (1686–1768) | Hakuin (1686–1768) | Kogetsu Zenzai |
| | Tōrei Enji (1721-1792) ("principle Dharma heir" of Hakuin) | Tōrei Enji (1721-1792) ("principle Dharma heir" of Hakuin) | Gessen Zen'e |
| | # Gasan Jitō 峨山慈棹 (1727–1797) (received dharma trasmission from Gessen Zen'e; studied with Hakuin, received inka from Tōrei Enji) | # Gasan Jitō 峨山慈棹 (1727–1797) (received dharma trasmission from Gessen Zen'e; studied with Hakuin, received inka from Tōrei Enji) | # Gasan Jitō 峨山慈棹 (1727–1797) (received dharma trasmission from Gessen Zen'e; studied with Hakuin, received inka from Tōrei Enji) |
| | Inzan Ien 隱山惟琰 (1751–1814) | Takujū Kosen 卓洲胡僊 (1760–1833) | |
| | Inzan lineage | Takujū lineage | |
| View template ||||

### Western Zen

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

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 schoolvte :
| Shunryu Suzuki (1904—1971) ||
| Zentatsu Richard Baker (born 1936) shiho 1971 | Hoitsu Suzuki (born 1939) |
| Tenshin Reb Anderson (born 1943) shiho 83 Sobun Katherine Thanas (☸1927—2012) 88 Fugan Eugene Bush (born 1954) 10 Ekyo Dana Takagi 15 Monshin Nannette Overley 22 Seigen Chuck Overley 22 Tetsudo Patrice Monsour - lay entrustment 23 Gotsuzan Robert Reese (born 1953) 10 Onryu Patrick Teverbaugh 11 Myoka Cathy Toldi 15 Sozan Cathy Whilden (born 1940) 11 Tey Roberts (☸) - lay entrustment 11 Patricia Wolff - lay entrustment 11 Susan McDonald - lay entrustment 11 Zengyu Paul Discoe (born 1942) 88 Chikudo Jerome Petersen (☸1928—2010) 88 Kokuzan Ananda Claude Dalenberg (☸1927—2008) 88 Eijun Linda Cutts (born 1947) 96 Keimyo Dario Girolami (born 1967) 12 Kyoshin Wendy Lewis 12 Jisan Tova Green (born 1940) 15 Wendy Johnson - lay entrustment 06 Ryuko Laura Burges - lay entrustment Myoju Shinjin Erin Merk 24 Jakujo Gary McNabb (☸1943—2022) 98 Furyu Nancy Schroeder 99 Reirin Alheidis Gumbel 19 Hakusho Johan Ostlund 23 Myo Denis Lahey (born 1951) 99 Taigen Dan Leighton (born 1950) 00 Nyozan Eric Shutt 19 Eishin Nancy Easton 19 Meiya Wender 02 Leslie James - lay transmission 02 Setsuan Gaelyn Godwin (born 1951) 03 Hokyo Louise Dreyfus - lay entrustment - 12 Nessho Cathy Crouch - lay entrustment - 12 Dojin Sarah Emerson (born 1971) 15 Yazan Dave Johnson 19 Kogen Glen Duval - lay entrustment Shinji Mary Carol Edwards - lay entrustment Kiku Christina Lehnherr (born 1947) 05 Jisan Anna Thorn 18 Yoen Rosmarie Auriau 19 Taiyo Lipscomb (born 1943) 09 Hogetsu Laurie Belzer (born 1959) 22 Kokyo Henkel (born 1966) 10 Mushin Antoinette Parekh (born 1959) 21 Zesho Susan O’Connell 17 Korin Charlie Pokorny 18 Zenshin Philip Whalen (☸1923—2002) 87 Issan Dorsey (☸1933—1990) 88 Kijun Steve Allen 90 Ryuten Paul Rosenblum 99 Koyo Dan Welch Chikai Harper Leah (born 1946) Zenki Christian Dillo 13 Yoseki David Beck Tatsudo Nicole Baden Shosan Gerald Weischede Ikkyo Ottmar Engel | Jakusho Kwong (born 1935) shiho 78 Uji Mikolaj Markiewicz Kimyo Helga Jóakimsdóttir Zenki Ástvaldur Traustason Nyoze Demian Kwong Sojun Mel Weitsman (☸1929-2021) 84 Zenkei Blanche Hartman (☸1926—2016) 88 Seirin Barbara Kohn - retired 00 Baizan Cathleen Williams 01 Kosho McCall (born 1948) 04 Colin Gipson 14 Jared Michaels Peg Syverson Koji Dreher 19 Dainei John King (☸1935—2001) 05 Meiji Tony Patchell 05 Busshin Lisa Hoffman (born 1959) 13 Hobu Beata Chapman (born 1958) 13 Ava Stanton - lay entrustment 15 Ryumon Hilda Guitierrez Baldoquin 08 Gengetsu Jana Drakka (☸1952-2017) 09 Keiryu Liên Shutt Myozen Joan Amaral (born 1966) 13 Flint Sparks [Dharma Entrustment?] Zoketsu Norman Fischer (born 1946) 88 Seido Lee deBarros (☸1936—2019) 98 Gyokujun Teishin Layla Smith (☸1946-2022) 98 Daigan Lueck (☸1931—2015) 99 Shokan Jordan Thorn (☸1953—2018) 03 Kanzan Bruce Fortin (born 1941) 03 Kotatsu John Bailes - 04 Mark Nelson - Dharma Entrustment Seishin Arlene Lueck 05 Jo Myphon Hunt - retired 05 Shinko Rick Slone 09 Daion Gloria Ann Lee 09 Do-An Robert Thomas (born 1959) 09 Ingen Breen (born 1963) 09 Nomon Tim Burnett (born 1966) 11 Heigaku Talus Latona - lay entrustment 21 Anka Rick Spencer 11 Shinmon Michael Newton (born 1953) 11 Myoshin Kate McCandless (born 1951) 11 Peter van der Sterre 11 Jishi Jeff Bickner (born 1948) 12 Rinsho Jay Simoneaux 12 Hoka Chris Fortin (born 1949) Shudo Chris Burkhart 19 Mick Sopko - lay entrustment Susan Moon - lay entrustment Martha DeBarros - lay entrustment Eihei Peter Levitt - lay entrustment Chōkō Kangen Judy Daylen - lay entrustment Kakuichi Kōshin Simon Rompré - lay entrustment Alan Block - lay entrustment James Flaherty - lay entrustment John Wiley - lay entrustment 10 J. Lee Nelson - lay entrustment Nancy Welch - lay entrustment (☸ d.2019) Ryushin Paul Haller (born 1947) 93 Unzan Mako Voelkel 19 Anshi Zachary Smith 19 Yakugen Myogan Djinn Gallagher 23 Tatsu Shi Mu Seki Tim Kroll 23 Myogen Steve Stucky (☸1946-2013) 93 Koshin Christine Palmer (born 1949) 13 Renshin Bunce (born 1943) 13 Steve Weintraub (born 1947) 93 David Weinberg (born 1943) 12 Nyokai Laurie Senauke 21 Elizabeth Sawyer (born 1948) - lay entrustment 13 Josho Pat Phelan (born 1948) 95 Jakuko Mo Ferrell 23 Zenki Kathleen Batson 23 Kuden Paul Boyle 23 Ryuge Gil Fronsdal (born 1954) 95 Jusan Edward Espe Brown (born 1945) 96 Kyosho Valorie Beer 13 Barbara Baccei 23 Danny Parker 01 Tiffany Martens 09 Fran Tribe (☸) 97 Hozan Alan Senauke (born 1947) 98 Kenshin Catherine Cascade 12 Nanzan Shunki Harald Schoecklmann 22 Juen Ryushin Friederike Boissevain 22 Hokyo Josu Mary Duryee - lay entrustment 23 Maylie Scott (☸1935—2001) 98 Shosan Victoria Austin (born 1953) 99 Konin Cardenas Zenju Earthlyn Manuel Myogen Kathryn Stark (born 1950) 13 Silver John Hall - lay entrustment 22 Dairyu Michael Wenger (born 1947) 99 Surei Darlene Cohen (☸1942—2011) 02 Jion Susan Postal (☸1940—2014) Myozan Dennis Keegan (☸1947—2016) Ebony Song (born 1956) Ryotan Cynthia Kear (born 1952) 10 Koshin Steven Tierney 21 Daitoku Ja'nice Hoobler Dharma Entrusted 24 Sarita Tamayo-Moraga Tokuden Mark Lancaster (born 1949) 06 Marc Lesser (born 1952) Inryu Bobbi Ponce-Barger Anshin Rosalie Curtis 11 Bernd Bender (born 1958) Marsha Angus - lay entrustment Jamie Howell (born 1945) lay entrustment Chikudo Lew Richmond (born 1947) 02 Rinso Ed Sattizahn 12 Nancy Horin Raika Petrin lay entrustment 11 Kuzan Peter Schireson (born 1946) 12 Hosho Peter Coyote (born 1941) 19 Yozen Peter Schneider (born 1937) 02 Soshin Teah Strozer (born 1944) 03 Pamela Weiss 16 Laura O’Loughlin - lay entrustment 17 Tenzen David Zimmerman 18 Kosen Gregory Snyder 19 Heather Shoren Iarusso 22 Shinshu Roberts (born 1950) 04 Daijaku Judith Kinst (born 1951) 04 Myoan Grace Schireson (born 1946) 05 Myokaku Jane Schneider (born 1936) 08 Baika Andrea Heaton (Pratt) (born 1960) 11 Myoho Joshin John Busch 18 Myogo Mary-Allen Macneil 19 Myoko Sara Hunsaker 14 Zenki Mary Mocine (born 1944) 05 Sokaku Kathie Fischer (born 1952) 11 Denkei Raul Moncayo Zenshin Greg Fain (born 1956) 12 Zenkai Curtis Fabens (☸1982-2023) 23 Gyokujun Susan Spencer - lay entrustment 17 Shinchi Linda Galijan (born 1958) 12 Jiryu Rutschman-Byler 14 Ryushin Andrea Thach Ikushin Gerry Oliva Kakudo Peter Overton Karen DeCotis 19 Ango Sara Tashker 19 Onzen Robert Rosenbaum - lay entrustment Tetsudo Ross Blum - lay entrustment Kokyo Susan Marvin - lay entrustment Sodo Ron Nestor - lay entrustment Nyokai Laurie Senauke - lay entrustment Hosho Karen Sundheim - lay entrustment Bokuren Jake Van Akkeren - lay entrustment Keido Les Kaye (born 1933) 85 Shungen Misha Merrill (born 1953) 98 Daion Jane Shuman (born 1951) 11 Kakushin Jill Kaplan (born 1949) 13 Nokai Jean-Yves Leclerc (born 1942) 98 Etsudo Patty Krahl (born 1950) 04 Jintei Harold Little 04 Tendo Stacy Waymire 21 Kigetsu Ramana Waymire 21 Om Devi Reynolds Cornelia Junfu Shonkwiler (born 1940) 08 Ryuzen Robby Pellett (☸1956—2019) 10 |

#### Hakuun Yasutani

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 | Soto lineage | Soto lineage | Soto lineage | Rinzai lineage | Rinzai lineage | | |
| Harada Sodo Kakusho (1844–1931) | Harada Sodo Kakusho (1844–1931) | Harada Sodo Kakusho (1844–1931) | Harada Sodo Kakusho (1844–1931) | Dokutan Sosan (a.k.a. Dokutan Toyota) (1840–1917) | Dokutan Sosan (a.k.a. Dokutan Toyota) (1840–1917) | | Rinzai lineage |
| Harada Daiun Sogaku (1871–1961) | Harada Daiun Sogaku (1871–1961) | Harada Daiun Sogaku (1871–1961) | Harada Daiun Sogaku (1871–1961) | Harada Daiun Sogaku (1871–1961) | Harada Daiun Sogaku (1871–1961) | Soto lineage | Joko Roshi |
| Hakuun Yasutani | Hakuun Yasutani | Hakuun Yasutani | Hakuun Yasutani | 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) | Taizan Maezumi (1931–1995) | Taizan Maezumi (1931–1995) |
| | Willigis Jäger (1925–2020) | | 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) | 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) | 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) |