Origins of Zen

Kasyapa understood the Buddha’s silent message Bodhidharma 520 C. E Kasyapa understood the Buddha’s silent message Bodhidharma 520 C.E. - meditated facing a wall for 9 years – legs fell off – cut off his own eyelids First Patriarch said to have followed Bodhidharma and cut off his arm to show his seriousness of intentions

Ch’an was led by a series of Patriarchs, the title of ‘Patriarch being given to the pre – eminent Ch’an master within each period

In the 9th and 10th centuries, the Ch’an tradition split into five sects, two of which retain importance – Lin Chi (Rinzai) and T’sao Tung (Soto)

In the 12th century the Zen schools really became popular, with the introduction of both Rinzai and Soto from China