The history of the Ch'an school of Buddhism began with the work of Bodhidharma, an Indian monk who came to China in the 5th century CE. His teachings were further developed by Chinese monks such as Huineng, Shenxiu, and Mazu Daoyi. Lin-chi I-hsuan Hui-chao was one of Mazu's students, and he played an important role in establishing the Linji school as one of the major schools of Chan Buddhism.