or Kasyapa (Maha Kassapa): He was one of the foremost disciples of the Buddha and became the president of the First Great Council at Rajagrha held shortly after the Buddha's Parinirvana. He is considered the first ancestor in the Zen tradition as he was the only one who understood the Buddha's meaning when the Buddha held up a flower and smiled, saying nothing. This meant that Mahakasyapa understood that the truth is beyond words or doctrine and requires a direct transmission from teacher to disciple. See "disciples," " Shurangama Sutra."