Seven patriarchs

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The Seven Patriarchs (Wyl. gtad rabs bdun) — before his parinirvana the Buddha entrusted the care of the Dharma to Mahakashyapa, predicting that seven patriarchs would maintain the purity of the Dharma and serve as reminders of the Buddha's presence.

  1. Mahakashyapa (Skt. Mahākāśkapa; Wyl. 'od srung)
  2. Ananda (Skt. Ānanda; Wyl. kun dga' bo)
  3. Shanavasika (Skt. Śāṇavāsika; Wyl. sha na'i gos can)
  4. Upagupta (Skt. Upagupta; Wyl. nyer sbas)
  5. Dhitika (Skt. dhītika; Wyl. dhi ti ka)
  6. Krishna (Skt. Kṛṣṇa; Wyl. nag po)
  7. Sudarshana (Skt. Sudarśana; Wyl. legs mthong)