Great Plains Zen Center
Our Ancestor Lineage

Our Ancestor Lineage

In morning service, we chant the names of our ancestor teachers starting with the Past Seven Buddhas, of whom Shakyamuni Buddha, our original  Founding Ancestor Teacher, was the last.  Next are the Indian ancestor teachers, some primarily legendary, through Bodhidharma, who is said to have transmitted Buddhism to China.  Next are the Chinese ancestor teachers through Master Rujing, who was the teacher of Eihei Dogen Zenji.  Dogen Zenji brought Soto Zen to Japan.  We chant our Japanese lineage through Baian Hakujun Dai Osho, Maezumi Roshi’s father to Maezumi Roshi, who was Myoyu Roshi’s teacher.  We also chant Gonshin Ryoko Dai Osho (Yasutani Roshi) and Musa Koryu Ro Daishi (Koryu Roshi) as Maezumi Roshi received Dharma Transmission from them as well.  

Lineage of Ancestor Teachers

  1. Vipashyin Buddha Honored Teacher
  2. Shikhin Buddha Honored Teacher
  3. Vishvabhu Buddha Honored Teacher
  4. Krakucchanda Buddha Honored Teacher
  5. Kanakamuni Buddha Honored Teacher
  6. Kashyapa Buddha Honored Teacher
  7. Shakyamuni Buddha Honored Founding Teacher
  8. Mahakashyapa Honored Teacher
  9. Ananda Honored Teacher
  10. Shanavasha Honored Teacher
  11. Upagupta Honored Teacher
  12. Dhritaka Honored Teacher
  13. Miccaka Honored Teacher
  14. Vashumitra Honored Teacher
  15. Buddhanandi Honored Teacher
  16. Buddhamitra Honored Teacher
  17. Parshva Honored Teacher
  18. Punyayashas Honored Teacher
  19. Ashvaghosha Honored Teacher
  20. Kapimala Honored Teacher
  21. Nagarjuna Honored Teacher
  22. Kanadeva Honored Teacher
  23. Rahukata Honored Teacher
  24. Sanghanandi Honored Teacher
  25. Gayashata Honored Teacher
  26. Kumarata Honored Teacher
  27. Jayata Honored Teacher
  28. Vashubandhu Honored Teacher
  29. Manorhita Honored Teacher
  30. Haklenayashas Honored Teacher
  31. Shimha Bhikshu Honored Teacher
  32. Bashiashita Honored Teacher
  33. Punyamitra Honored Teacher
  34. Prajnatara Honored Teacher
  35. Bodhidharma Honored Teacher
  36. Daizu Huike (Dai-dzu Hway-kuh) Honored Teacher
  37. Jianzhi Sengcan (Jien-jer Sung-tsan) Honored Teacher
  38. Dayi Daoxin (Da-ee Dow-sheen) Honored Teacher
  39. Daman Hongren (Da-man Hong-run) Honored Teacher
  40. Dajian Huineng (Da-jien Hway-nung) Honored Teacher
  41. Qingyuan Xingsi (Ching-yuu-en Shing-suh) Honored Teacher
  42. Shitou Xiqian (Sher-tow Shi-chee-en) Honored Teacher
  43. Yaoshan Weiyan (Yow-shan Way-yan) Honored Teacher
  44. Yunyan Tansheng (Yun-yan Tan-shung) Honored Teacher
  45. Dongshan Liangjie (Dong-shan Lee-ang ji-eh) Honored Teacher
  46. Yunju Daoying (Yun-ju Dow-ying) Honored Teacher
  47. Tongan Daopi (Tong-aan Dow-pee) Honored Teacher
  48. Tongan Guanzhi (Tong-aan Guan-jer) Honored Teacher
  49. Liangshan Yuanguan (Lee-ang-shan Yuu-en-guan) Honored Teacher
  50. Dayang Jingxuan (Da-yang Jing-shu-an) Honored Teacher
  51. Touzi Yiqing (To-tzuh Ee-ching) Honored Teacher
  52. Furong Daokai (Fu-rong Dow-ka-ee) Honored Teacher
  53. Danxia Zichun (Dan-shia Tzuh-choon) Honored Teacher
  54. Zhenxie Qingliao (Jun-shee-eh Ching-lee-ow) Honored Teacher
  55. Tiantong Zongjue (Tien-tong Dzong-jueh) Honored Teacher
  56. Xuedou Zhijian (Shueh-dou Jer-jee-en) Honored Teacher
  57. Tiantong Rujing (Tien-tong Ru-jing) Honored Teacher
  58. Eihei Dogen Honored FoundingTeacher
  59. Koun Ejo Honored Teacher
  60. Tettsu Gikai Honored Teacher
  61. Keizan Jokin Honored Founding Teacher
  62. Gasan Joseki Honored Teacher
  63. Taigen Soshin Honored Teacher
  64. Baizan Monpon Honored Teacher
  65. Nyochu Tengin Honored Teacher
  66. Kisan Shosan Honored Teacher
  67. Morin Shihan Honored Teacher
  68. Shoshi Sotai Honored Teacher
  69. Kenchu Hantetsu Honored Teacher
  70. Daiju Soko Honored Teacher
  71. Kinpo Jusen Honored Teacher
  72. Kajin Sochin Honored Teacher
  73. Tetsuei Seiton Honored Teacher
  74. Shukoku Choton Honored Teacher
  75. Ketsuzan Tetsuei Honored Teacher
  76. Hoshi Soon Honored Teacher
  77. Goho Kainon Honored Teacher
  78. Tenkei Denson Honored Teacher
  79. Shozan Monko Honored Teacher
  80. Niken Sekiryo Honored Teacher
  81. Reitan Roryu Honored Teacher
  82. Kakujo Tosai Honored Teacher
  83. Kakuan Ryogu Honored Teacher
  84. Ryoka Daibai Honored Teacher
  85. Ungan Guhaku Honored Teacher
  86. Baian Hakujun Honored Teacher
  87. Koun Taizan Honored Founding Teacher

And to Gonshin Ryoko Honored Teacher and Musa Koryu Honored Teacher.