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Lineage of patriachs of zen buddhismfrom Buddha to Master Kosen |
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This document is a Ketsumyaku, a certificate of affiliation to the lineage of the great masters and Buddhas of the past. It is delivered to the zen monk during his ordination and attests to his membership of the Buddha family.
This exceptional Ketsumyaku joins together the lineages Rinzai and Soto through Master Dogen, as well as the lineages of Eihei-ji and Soji-ji trough Master Kosen. To be authentic, this document must be signed and stamped by the seal of the master. Master Deshimaru was saying:” If you want to judge a master, the objective side is of prime importance. Ask him from whom he received the ordination and from whom he received the transmission”.
It is for this reason that documents are delivered: Ketsumyaku for the ordination and Shiho for the transmission of Dharma.
The Ketsumyaku which is presented here is virgin. On the occasion of the ordinations of the monks, the names of the master and of the disciple are added by hand, all this is authenticated by official seals.
