Lineage of Kodo Sawaki

Line of succession to Kodo Sawaki

The single line of formal transmission, root first. Where a master had several teachers this follows the one carrying the succession; the fuller set of ancestors is listed below.

1. 1. Shakyamuni Buddha-563–-483
2. 2. Mahakashyapab. -450
3. 3. Anandab. -450
4. 4. Shanakavasab. -450
5. 5. Upaguptab. -250
6. 6. Dhritakab. -250
7. 7. Michakab. -250
8. 8. Vasumitrab. -150
9. 9. Buddhanandib. -150
10. 10. Buddhamitrab. -150
11. 11. Parshvab. -50
12. 12. Punyayashasb. -50
13. 13. Ashvaghosha80–150
14. 14. Kapimalab. 150
15. 15. Nagarjuna150–250
16. 16. Aryadeva170–270
17. 17. Rahulatab. 250
18. 18. Sanghanandib. 250
19. 19. Gayashatab. 250
20. 20. Kumaratab. 350
21. 21. Jayatab. 350
22. 22. Vasubandhu316–396
23. 23. Manorhitab. 350
24. 24. Haklenab. 350
25. 25. Simhab. 450
26. 26. Vasasitab. 450
27. 27. Punyamitrab. 450
28. 28. Prajnatarab. 450
29. 29. Bodhidharmad. 536
30. 30. Dazu Huike487–593
31. 31. Jianzhi Sengcand. 606
32. 32. Dayi Daoxin580–651
33. 33. Daman Hongren602–675
34. 34. Dajian Huineng638–713
35. 35. Qingyuan Xingsid. 740
36. 36. Shitou Xiqian700–790
37. 37. Yaoshan Weiyan751–834
38. 38. Yunyan Tansheng780–841
39. 39. Dongshan Liangjie807–869
40. 40. Yunju Daoyingd. 902
41. 41. Tongan Daopi
42. 42. Tongan Guanzhi
43. 43. Liangshan Yuanguan
44. 44. Dayang Jingxuan
45. 45. Fushan Fayuan
46. 46. Touzi Yiqing
47. 47. Furong Daokai
48. 48. Danxia Zichun
49. 49. Zhenxie Qingliao
50. 50. Tiantong Zongjue
51. 51. Xuedou Zhijian
52. 52. Tiantong Rujing1163–1228
53. 53. Dōgen1200–1253
54. 54. Koun Ejō1198–1280
55. 55. Tettsū Gikai1219–1309
56. 56. Keizan Jōkin1264–1325
57. 57. Meiho Sotetsu1277–1350
58. 58. Shugan Dochind. 1387
59. 59. Tessan Shikakud. 1376
60. 60. Keigan Eisho1321–1412
61. 61. Chuzan Ryoun1350–1432
62. 62. Gisan Tonin1386–1462
63. 63. Shogaku Kenryud. 1485
64. 64. Kinen Horyud. 1506
65. 65. Daishitsu Chisen1461–1536
66. 66. Kokei Shojund. 1555
67. 67. Sesso Yuhod. 1576
68. 68. Kaiten Genju
69. 69. Shuzan Shunsho1590–1647
70. 70. Chozan Ginetsu1581–1672
71. 71. Fukushu Kochi
72. 72. Meido Yuton
73. 73. Hakuho Genteki1594–1670
74. 74. Gesshu Soko1618–1696
75. 75. Tokuo Ryoko1649–1709
76. 76. Mokushi Soen1673–1746
77. 77. Gangoku Gankei1683–1767
78. 78. Kokoku Soryu
79. 79. Rosetsu Ryuko
80. 80. Ungai Kozan
81. 81. Shoryu Koho1827–1912
82. 82. Sawada Zenko
83. 83. Kodo Sawaki1880–1965

Teachings attributed to Kodo Sawaki

• Don't Put Your Heads Togethersaying
• Everyone Wants Happinesssaying
• Gaining Is Delusionsaying
• Group Sicknesssaying
• Hell Is in Your Own Chestsaying
• Just Sitsaying
• Lost in Thoughtproverb
• Religion Is Living Your Own Lifesaying
• Satori Is Not a Commodityproverb
• Sit Down and Shut Upproverb
• The Self That Lives Your Lifesaying
• There Is No One to Besaying
• Thoughts Are a Secretionsaying
• You Can't Trade a Fartsaying
• Zazen Is Good for Nothingsaying
• Zazen Is the Selfproverb
• Zen Is Everyday Lifesaying

Ancestors of Kodo Sawaki

1. 12 generations above

   • Fukushu Kochi

2. 11 generations above

   • Meido Yuton

3. 10 generations above

   • Hakuho Genteki1594–1670

4. 9 generations above

   • Gesshu Soko1618–1696

5. 8 generations above

   • Tokuo Ryoko1649–1709

6. 7 generations above

   • Mokushi Soen1673–1746

7. 6 generations above

   • Gangoku Gankei1683–1767

8. 5 generations above

   • Kokoku Soryu

9. 4 generations above

   • Rosetsu Ryuko

10. 3 generations above

    • Ungai Kozan

11. 2 generations above

    • Shoryu Koho1827–1912

12. 1 generation above

    • Sawada Zenko

Disciples and descendants of Kodo Sawaki

1. 1 generation below

   • Sodō Yokoyama1907–1980
   • Kosho Uchiyama1912–1998
   • Taisen Deshimaru1914–1982
   • Shūyū Narita1914–2004
   • Gudo Wafu Nishijima1919–2014
   • Yūkō Okamoto1935–2021

2. 2 generations below

   • Mike Chodo Cross