Shakyamuni Buddha is the historical Buddha who was born in India, left home at 19, became enlightened in his 30s, taught 40 some years, entered Nirvana when he was about 80 years old, and left a legacy of teachings. Shakyamuni Buddha was alive in the 11th century B.C. (the 24th year of Zhou Dynasty in China). His first disciple was the Master Ajnatakaundinya, the first Bhikshu in Buddhism. Master Ajnatakaundinya was the first enlightened Bhikshu and the first great Arhat. In a previous life as King Kali, he had cut the limbs off an old cultivator, who would later become Shakyamuni Buddha. The old cultivator vowed to first save King Kali when he became a Buddha, and so Shakymuni Buddha first saved Ajnatakaundinya.

The Venerable Mahakashyapa is the first patriarch of Buddhism. He was foremost in ascetic practices. He inherited Shakyamuni Buddha's Dharma when the Buddha twirled a flower in the Assembly and Mahakashyapa, understanding, gave a subtle smile. The Buddha then announced, "The Proper Dharma Eye Treasury that I possess, the wornderful mind of Nirvana, the real mark that is no mark, the subtle and wornderful Dharma door that establishes no texts and is a special transmission outside the teaching, I entrust to Mahakashyapa." The Buddha passed to him the robe and bowl and the Patriarch Kashyapa is still in samadhi at Chicken Foot Mountain in Yun Nan Province, China, waiting for Maitreya Buddha. The Venerable Mahakashyapa was alive during the 11th century B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China).

The Venerable Ananda is the second patriarch of Buddhism. He was a cousin of Shakyamuni Buddha and was transmitted the Proper Dharma by Mahakashyapa, who told him to protect it well. Later, the Venerable Ananda transmitted the Dharma to Master Shanakavasa. The Venerable Ananda spoke the sutras from memory at the first compilation of the sutras. He entered Nirvana in the middle of the Ganges River, where he ascended into space, displayed the 18 transformation of an Arhat and then divided his body in to four parts: one offered to the Trayastrimsha Heaven, one to Dragon Sagara's palace, one to the King of Vaishali, and one to King Ajatashatru. At each location a stupa was built. A cousin of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Venerable Ananda was alive during 11th and 10th centuries B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China).

The third patriarch of Buddhism, Master Shanakavasa was in his mother's womb for six years. When the Venerable Ananda was about to enter Nirvana, the earth quaked and the Master came down from the mountains with five hundred immortals to seek certification from the second Patriarch. Venerable Ananda transmitted the Proper Dharma Eye Treasury to the Master, who immediately received it. Then he turned the Great Dharma wheel. After the Master transmitted the Dharma to the fourth Patriarch Upagupta, he hid in Kashmir, and eventually manifested the 18 transformations of an Arhat and used the Fire Light Samadhi to cremate his own body.

The fourth patriarch, Master Upagupta, bowed to the third Patriarch when he was seventeen years old. After receiving the Master as a monk, the third Patriarch transmitted the Proper Dharma Eye Treasury to him. The Master traveled and taught and struck fear in the demon Papima's heart. After meeting the fifth Patriarch Dhritaka and transmitting the Dharma to him, the Master manifested the eighteen transformations of an Arhat, sat in full lotus, and left.

Master Dhritaka, the fifth patriarch of Buddhism, left home under the 4th Patriarch, who predicted that the Master would have a great awakening. The Master received the full precepts, traveled and taught in central India, and transmitted the Dharma to the 6th Patriarch Micchaka. The Master then displayed the 18 transformations of an Arhat and cremated his own body with the Fire Light Samadhi.

6th Patriarch, Master Micchaka, studied the path of immortals. The 5th Patriarch reminded him that in the past they had dwelled together in the Brahma Heaven and then had parted ways: one studying Buddhism and one studying the immortals. The Master asked to be liberated, left home under the 5th Patriarch, and received the Dharma from him. The Master taught in northern India and passed the Dharma to Master Vasumitra. The Master then entered the Lion Spirit Samadhi, grew to the height of 7 tala trees, and immolated himself with the fire of true samadhi, leaving "existence and non-existence behind." Then he entered samadhi again and passed into Nirvana. The Venerable Micchaka was alive during the 9th century B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China).

7th Patriarch Vasumitra met the 6th Patriarch on the road and they conversed. Afterward, the Patriarch shaved the Master's head and transmitted the Dharma to him. The Master traveled to Kamalanka and spread the Dharma there. He passed the Dharma to Master Buddhanandi, entered the Compassionate Mind Samadhi, came out of samadhi to say, "The Dharma I've obtained is non-existent. If one recognizes the Mind Ground, one leaves existence and non-existence behind." Then he entered samadhi again and passed into Nirvana.

8th Patriarch Buddhanandi had a flesh cowl on the crown of his head. His eloquence was unobstructed and unparalleled. When the Master met the 7th Patriarch they had a discussion and then the Patriarch saved the Master's head and transmitted the Dharma to him. After the Master received the Dharma, he taught a multitude of people and in the country of Ti Qie he transmitted the Dharma to Master Buddhamitra. The Master then displayed spiritual penetrations, sat in lotus, and left. The Venerable Buddhanandi was alive during the 8th century B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China).

9th Patriarch Buddhamitra in the past had met Buddhas and vowed to leave home; in this life he feared his parents wouldn't let him, so he neither spoke nor walked until he met the 8th Patriarch. Whereupon the Master stood and said, "Who is a good and wise advisor? My parents aren't my relatives; who are my true relatives? All Buddhas are not the Way; who is the true Way?"

10th Patriarch Parsva

11th Patriarch Punyayasas

12th Patriarch Mahasattva Asvagosa was alive during the 7th century B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China).

13th Patriarch Kapimala was alive during the 7th century B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China).

The 14th Patriarch, Mahasattva Nagarjuna, is credited with memorizing the 80-scroll version of the "Avatamsaka Sutra" stored in the dragon palace and thereby returning it to the human realm. He composed the "Treatise Concerning the Middle" (Madyamika Shastra) and the "Treatise Concerning Twelve Entrances" (Dvadasanikaya Shastra). Master Kumarajiva's disciple Master Deva composed the Hundred Shastra (Sata Shastra).

The 15th Patriarch, Kanadeva, was alive during the 6th century B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China).

The 16th Patriarch, Rahulata, was alive during the 6th century B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China). Note that the famous Greek philosopher Pythagoras was alive from 582-507 B.C. and that Confucious (551-479 B.C.) was also alive at this time.

The 17th Patriarch, Sanghanandi, was alive during the 5th century B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China). It was during this period that the First Buddhist council was held in Rajaghra (486 B.C.). Note that this was the same period of time during which Socrates (569-399 B.C.) and Plato (427-347 B.C.) were alive.

The 18th Patriarch, Gayasata, was alive during the 4th century B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China).

The 19th Patriarch, Kumarata, was alive during the 4th century B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China).

The 20th Patriarch, Jayata, was alive during the 4th century B.C. (Zhou Dynasty in China).

The 21st Patriarch, Vasubandhu ("worldly relative") Bodhisattva, was a younger brother of Asanga, embraced the Mahayana Buddhism and composed over a thousand scrolls of discourses concerning both the Theravada and the Mahayana, including the Shastra on the Door to Understanding the Hundred Dharmas and scrolls of discourses concerning both the Theravada and the Mahayana. He was known as the "Thousand Volume Shastra Master."

The 22nd Patriarch was named Arya Manorhita. Divided the Ganges River into two parts, but influenced only one part.

The 23rd Patriarch was named Haklena.

The 24th Patriarch was named Arya Simhabodhi.

The 25th Patriarch was named Arya Basiasita.

The 26th Patriarch was named Punyamitra.

The 27th Patriarch was named Prajnatara.

Bodhidharma was the 28th Patriarch in India and the 1st Patriarch in China. He arrived in China from India (520), meditated at Bear's Ear Mt. near Loyang, and transmitted the mind-seal Dharma to the 2nd Chinese Patriarch, Hui Ko. The monk Bodhiruchi and Vinaya Master Guang Tung tried to poison the Patriarch six times, but failed. After his passing (from natural causes), an Indian official saw the Patriarch holding one shoe as he returned to India. Chinese officials inspected the coffin and found nothing but one shoe inside.