left wall
left corner and rear wall
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left wall |
left corner and rear wall |
Tang dynasty, 690-704 AD
Kanjing Si, Longmen Caves
As explained earlier, the twenty-nine Arhats were claimed as Zen Patriarchs, thus providing an uninterrupted transmission of secret (esoteric) teaching, from the Buddha himself down to the present time. This is, of course, an essential part of the validity-claims of any esoteric sect. Their order of procession is historical, from the earliest (Kasyapa, left wall) to the latest (Bodhidharma and successors, right wall)1. The Patriarchs wear their native dress of India. Their variety of expression and physiognomy conveys the individualistic tradition that is so strongly marked in Zen.
Reference for names: Chinese Deities
1Neither Kasyapa nor Bodhidharma appears in the above photos.
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