Seven patriarchs

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. Mahākāśyapa; Wyl. 'od srung chen po)
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)

Further Reading

• Ways of Enlightenment; Buddhist Studies at Nyingma Institute, pages 38-40. Dharma Publishing ISBN: 0-89800-255-9
• Dudjom Rinpoche, The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, The Patriarchs of the Teachings, pp.432-439. Published by Wisdom Publications ISBN: 0-86171-199-9