Lineage
The dharma transmission lineage chanted daily at Rinzai monasteries (called Teidai Denpo Busso no Myogo) is that of the monastery's abbot (shike).
The chart below reveals the lineage of Zen transmitted to the West by Omori Sogen Roshi, and carried by Korinji's current abbot:
BIBASHI BUTSU (Vipashyin Buddha)
SHIKI BUTSU (Shikhin Buddha)
BISHAHU BUTSU (Vishvabhû Buddha)
KUROSON BUTSU (Krakucchanda Buddha)
KUNAGONMUNI BUTSU (Kanakamuni Buddha)
KASHO BUTSU (Kâshyapa Buddha)
SHAKAMUNI BUTSU (Shakyamuni Buddha, ca. 490~410 BCE)
In India
Makakasho Sonja (Mahâkâshyapa)
Anan Sonja (Ananda)
Shonawashu Sonja (Shanavâsa)
Ubakikuta Sonja (Upagupta)
Daitaka Sonja (Dhritaka)
Mishaka Sonja (Miccaka)
Basumitsu Sonja (Vasumitra)
Buddanandai Sonja (Buddhanandi)
Hakudamitta Sonja (Buddhamitra)
Kyo Sonja (Pârshva)
Hunayasha Sonja (Punyayashas)
Memyo Sonja (Ashvaghosha)
Kabimora Sonja (Kapimala)
Ryujyu Sonja (Nâgârjuna)
Kanadaiba Sonja (Kânadeva)
Ragorata Sonja (Râhulata)
Sogyanandai Sonja (Sanghânandi)
Kayashata Sonja (Gayashâta)
Kumorata Sonja (Kumârata)
Shayata Sonja (Jayata)
Basubanzu Sonja (Vasubandhu)
Manura Sonja (Manorhita)
Kakurokuna Sonja (Haklenayashas)
Shishi Sonja (Simha Bhikshu)
Bashashita Sonja (Basiasita)
Hunyomitta Sonja (Punyamitra)
Hannyatara Sonja (Prajnatara)
Transmission to China
Bodai Daruma Daishi (Bodhidharma, early 5th cen. CE)
Niso Eka Daishi (T’a-tsu Hui-k’o, (487~593)
Sanso Kanchi Zenji (Chien-Chih Seng-ts’an, (?~606)
Doshin Daii Zenji (Ta-i Tao-hsin, 580~651)
Gunin Daiman Zenji (Ta-man Hung-jen, 601~674)
Eno Daikan Zenji (Ta-chien Hui-neng, 638~713)
Nangaku Ejyo Zenji (Nan-yueh Huai-jang, 677~744)
Baso Doitsu Zenji (Ma-tzu Tao-i, 709~788)
Hyakujyo Ekai Zenji (Pai-chang Huai-hai, 720~814)
Obaku Kiun Zenji (Huang-po Hsi-hun, ?~850)
Rinzai Gigen Zenji (Lin-chi I-hsüan, ?~866) [*Rinzai School]
Koke Sonsho Zenji (Hsing-hua Ts'ung-chiang, 830~888)
Nanin E-gyo Zenji (Nan-yüan Hui-yung, ?~930)
Fuketsu Ensho Zenji (Fen-hsueh Yen-chao, 896~973)
Shuzan Seinen Zenji (Shou-shan Hsing-nien, 926~993)
Funnyo Zensho Zenji (Fen-yang Shan-chao, 947~1024)
Sekiso Soen Zenji (Shih-shung Ch'u-yuan, 986~1039)
Yogi Hoe Zenji (Yang-ch'i Fang-hui, 992~1049)
Hakuun Shutan Zenji (Po-yun Shou-tuan, 1025~1072)
Goso Hoen Zenji (Wu-tsu Fa-yen, 1024~1104)
Engo Kokugon Zenji (Yuan-wu Ko-ch'in, 1063~1135)
Kukyu Shoryu Zenji (Hu-ch'iu Shao-lung, 1077~1136)
Oan Donge Zenji (Ying-an T'an-hua, 1103~1186)
Mittan Kanketsu Zenji (Mi-an Hsien-chieh, 1118~1186)
Shogen Sogaku Zenji (Sung-yuan Ch'ung-yo, 1139~1209)
Unnan Fugan Zenji (Yu-an P'uyen, 1156~1226)
Kido Chigu Zenji (Hsu-t'ang Chih-yu, 1185~1269)
Transmission to Japan
Nanpo Shomyo Zenji (1235~1309)
Shuho Myocho Zenji (1282~1338)
Kanzan Egen Zenji (1277~1360)
Jyuo Soshitsu Zenji (1296~1386)
Muin Soin Zenji (1326~1410)
Nippo Soshun Zenji (1368~1448)
Giten Gensho Zenji (1393~1462)
Sekko Soshin Zenji (1408~1486)
Toyo Eicho Zenji (1429~1504)
Taiga Tankyo Zenji (? ~1518)
Koho Genkun Zenji (? ~1524)
Sensho Zuisho Zenji (?~?)
Ian Chisatsu Zenji (1514~1587)
Tozen Soshin Zenji (1532~1602)
Yozan Keiyo Zenji (?~?)
Gudo Toshoku Zenji (1579~1661)
Shido Bunan Zenji (1603~1676)
Dokyo E-tan Zenji (1642~1721)
Hakuin E-kaku Zenji (1685~1768)
Gasan Jito Zenji (1727~1797)
Inzan Itan Zenji (1751~1814)
Taigen Shigen Zenji (1768~1837)
Gisan Zenrai Zenji (1801~1878)
Tekisui Giboku Zenji (1822~1899)
Ryoen Genseki Zenji (1843~1919)
Seisetsu Genjyo Zenji (1877~1945)
Bokuo Soun Zenji (1903~1991)
Tekio Sogen Zenji (1904~1994)
Transmission to the West
After Tekio Sogen (Omori) Roshi, the lineage transmission continues through the following living teachers: to Kizan Dogen (Hosokawa) Roshi, to So'zan Daitetsu (Miller) Roshi, and to Meido Zentetsu (Moore) Roshi.
In Rinzai Zen there are documents received from one's master as proof of inka shomei: certification as a Rinzai lineage holder. Also called "mind seal" or "dharma transmission," this certification is required before one may become a fully empowered Rinzai Zen teacher, qualified to train students.
At Tenryuji - the headquarters temple in Japan from which our lineage comes - the custom has been to publicly display inka documents at each New Year, so that there is no doubt regarding the teacher's legitimacy. For this reason, and becaause there are fraudulent teachers in the West, we here display images of our living teachers' inka shomei documents. You may view larger versions by clicking on the images below.
