Mahakashyap
| oshobob The Living Workshop |
| Zen Masters |
| born: c. 580 BCE died: c. 500 BCE place: India |
| Dhyan master: Gautam Buddha Dhyan disciples: Ananda (2nd Zen master)... |
| stories: Osho The Transmission of the Lamp, ch. 3 many other Osho books have references to Mahakashyap, usually refering to the flower/enlightenment story. |
Mahakashyap was a disciple of Gautam Buddha,
and is considered the 1st Ancestor of the Zen
tradition. The famous story is of him smiling, or
laughing at Buddha, who was holding a flower in
front of his sangha of thousands of disciples.
Mahakashyap gained enlightenment at this
moment, and thus began the stream of living
buddhas called Zen masters.
Note: Dhyan is the Sanskrit word which means
"meditation"--it eventually became the word "Zen"
in Japan.
and is considered the 1st Ancestor of the Zen
tradition. The famous story is of him smiling, or
laughing at Buddha, who was holding a flower in
front of his sangha of thousands of disciples.
Mahakashyap gained enlightenment at this
moment, and thus began the stream of living
buddhas called Zen masters.
Note: Dhyan is the Sanskrit word which means
"meditation"--it eventually became the word "Zen"
in Japan.
Mahakashyap remained his whole life with Gautam Buddha. When Gautam Buddha died, then he started speaking. Asked why, he said, "Now I have to create the same atmosphere for those who don't have any taste of disciplehood. I had no intention of becoming a master, but destiny would not allow me not to. I wanted to die before Gautam Buddha so I wouldn't have to carry this burden." He proved to be one of the great masters – of the same caliber as Gautam Buddha – and he created a lineage of great disciples and great masters. --Osho The Transmission of the Lamp, ch. 3 |
 |
 |
 |