In the center
In the center of the circle are two names: Prajnaparamita and Kannon. Prajnaparamita represents the wisdom beyond all wisdom. This refers to the openness of all things, recognizing that nothing has a fixed, inherent core. Prajnaparamita is also often depicted as a goddess and is called the Mother of all Buddhas.
Kannon (also known as Kanzeon in Japanese, Guanyin in Chinese, and Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit) is the bodhisattva of compassion. She hears the cries for help from others and can take any form to bring sentient beings to awakening. She appears in numerous Buddhist texts, including the Lotus Sutra, chapter 25.
In Mahayana Buddhism, to which Zen belongs, wisdom and compassion go together. On one hand, there is the openness and seeing that there is nothing outside of oneself. From the wisdom beyond all wisdom, there is no other, nothing is substantial, and there is nothing to be done. On the other hand, from the total experience, there is also the seeing and hearing of all suffering with a great desire to help. From this arises the bodhisattva vow: however innumerable sentient beings are, I vow to liberate them all. Wisdom and compassion are both necessary and cannot exist without each other.
Rays
The names of the female ancestors stand in a circle around Prajnaparamita and Kannon like rays of the sun. The arrangement is chronological and by country: India, China, Japan, and the West.
If we consider the circle as a clock, it begins at ‘6 o’clock’ with Prajnaparamita. She is the first of the group of mythical female ancestors. The order proceeds counterclockwise. At about ‘5 o’clock’ start the names of the Indian ancestors, with Mahapajapati being the first. Most women from this group lived during the time of the Buddha. Next come the names of Chinese matriarchs with Jingjian as the first at ‘3 o’clock.’ Just before ’12 o’clock’ begin the Japanese female ancestors with the name of Zenshin. Finally, starting from about ‘7 o’clock’ are the names of the Western female ancestors. These names vary somewhat by sangha because, in the West, there has been a branching out through various female Zen masters to the current communities.
It is customary in the circle of female ancestors to include only the names of women who have passed away.