The ancestor Dharma, the second ancestor Hui Ke, the third ancestor Sanshen, the fourth ancestor Daoxin, the fifth ancestor Hongren and the sixth ancestor Huineng.

When Dharma crossed the Yangtze River into the Northern Wei Dynasty, he first visited Luoyang, then went to Shaolin Temple and stayed in a cave on Wuru Peak for nine years. Based on Mahayana doctrine and China spirit, he initiated Zen in China, and was regarded as the ancestor.

Among many seekers, Dharma chose to pass on his mantle to Hui Ke. In the third year of Tian Ping in the Eastern Wei Dynasty (536), Dharma died, was buried in Xiong 'er Mountain, erected a tower in Ding Lin Temple, and spread to monks, women, Taoism and forbearance. Finally, the sixth ancestor Huineng.

Extended data:

The reason why Zen has only six ancestors:

Before Dharma spread Zen from India, Dharma Master Prajna paramita said to Dharma: This dharma vein has only been passed down for six generations. In other words, after the sixth ancestor, no one is allowed to be called the "ancestor" of Zen.

According to the teachings of Prajna Paramita, there will be achievers in the future (a pony comes out of your side and kills the world). That is to say, Mazu Yi Dao. His common name is Ma. Because no one in Zen called Zu, he was secretly called Mazu.