Lineage Chart of Dharma Transmission from Tang China to Japan (Daitokoku nihonkoku fuho kechimyaku zu ki)Postscript added by Enchin

Ink on Paper / One Scroll of Three Sheets

  • original
  • transcription

The term “transmission of the Dharma” refers to the process where a master entrusts a disciple with teachings to be passed on. The document begins by stating that since there is a lineage of Dharma transmission in the Tiantai tradition in China, there should be one in Japan as well. It details the eight transmissions from Tiantai Dashi Zhi-yi to Guanding, Zhanran, Daosui, Guangxiu, and others. It then outlines the four transmissions from Saicho, Gishin, Enshu, and Ken'e. It goes on to state that on February 9, 844, Rujing of Tiantai Mountain's Chanlin Temple wrote a certification, followed by a list of 34 names of disciples of the temple including the three monk administrators and the senior monks.

Category
National Treasure
Era
February 9, 844, with a postscript added by Enchin on November 4, 874
Measurements
28.5 × 138.0 cm