Past and Present: Zen Lineage

by Batsu | Posted on August 31, 2010February 16, 2024

Zen lineage can be thought of as a passing of the torch from Teacher to Student over generations. Once the student receives transmission from the teacher and becomes a Dharma Aire. The student can then begin to teach as well, or just continue to study and practice.

Here are some of the important people in Dogen’s lineage.

Dogen Zenji 1200 – 1253
The founder of Soto Zen

Rempo Niwa 1905 – 1993

Kodo Sawaki 1880 – 1965

Roshi Nishijima studied with both Rempo Niwa and Kodo Sawaki. He received transmission from Rempo Niwa.

Gudo Wafu Nishijima 1919 – 2014

Important Dharma Hires of Gudo Wafu Nishijima:

Eido Michael Luchford

Chodo (Mike) Cross

Gabriele Linnebach

There may be other Dharma Aires of Sensei whom I’m unaware of.

Please email me if I have missed anyone.

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