Origins of the Japanese Soto Zen School

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Origins of the Japanese Sōtō Zen School

Master Dōgen Zenji received not only the seal of transmission from the chinese Soto lineage but also the transmissin of the chinese Rinzai Ōryo (Huanglong) school which soon afterward degenerated in Japan as well as in China.
Master Dōgen's works were later systematized by his Dharma "great-grandson" Keizan Jokin who in effect "founded" the Japanese Sōtō school.

Xuan Huaichang (Hsu-an Huai-ch'ang, Kian Esho) -Huanglong branch

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|_ Myoan Yosai or Eisai, also known as Zenko Kokushi (1141-1215)

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|_ Myozen Ryonen, 1184-1225.

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|_ Dōgen Eihei (Kigen) (j.), Yung-p'ing Tao-yüan (wg) (1200-1253)

The Sōtō/Ts'ao-tung Zen/Ch'an School

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|_ Tendō Nyojō (j.), T'ien-t'ung Ju-ching (wg) (1163-1228)

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|_ Dōgen Eihei (Kigen) (j.), Yung-p'ing Tao-yüan (wg) (1200-1253)

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|_ Kōun Ejō (1198-1280)

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|_ Tettsu Gikai (1219-1309)

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|_ Keizan Jokin Zenji(1268-1325)-disciple of Kōun Ejō as well as Tettsu Gikai, wrote the Denkoroku - the record of transmitting the light. Founded Soji-ji.

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|_ Meiho Sotetsu (1277-1350)
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|_ Gasan Joseki (1275-1365)

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|_ Jakurei Tsugen (1332-1391)

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