The book includes 53 enlightenment stories covering 1600 or more years based on the traditional legendary accounts of Dharma transmission in the Sōtō lineage.

[3] The book is not true in a strictly historical sense: for example, Bodhidharma is probably a mythical figure, the Sixth Patriarch was probably not Huineng, and someone else probably wrote the Platform Sutra.

[5] Keizan included fantastical or magical details from the lives of some ancestors, especially those in India, which audiences in times past may have appreciated but which today might be met with skepticism.

[8] Following are Shanavasa, Upagupta, Dhritaka (Dhrtaka[7]), Micchaka, Vasumitra, Buddhanandi, Buddhamitra (Punyamitra[7]), Parshva, Punyayashas, Ashvaghosa (Ashvaghosha[7]), and Kapimala.

Then comes Nagarjuna, Kanadeva, Rahulata, Sanghanandi, Gayashata (Jayashata[7]), Kumarata, Jayata, Vasubandhu, Manorhita (Manora[7]), Haklenayashas (Haklena[7]), Aryasimha (Sinha[7]), Basiasita (Vashashita[7]), Punyamitra, and Prajnatara.

[11] Following are Jianzhi Sengcan (Sengcan[7]), Dayi Daoxin (Daoxin[7]), Daman Hongren (Hongren[7]), Dajian Huineng (Huineng[7]), Qingyuan Xingsi (Qingyuan[7]), Shitou Xiqian (Shitou[7]), Yaoshan Weiyan (Yaoshan[7]), Yunyan Tansheng (Yunyan[7]), Dongshan Liangjie (Dongshan[7]), Yunhju Daoying (Yunju[7]), Tongan Daopi (Daopi[7]), Tongan Guanzhi (Tongan[7]), Liangshan Yuanguan (Liangshan[7]), Dayang Jingxuan (Dayang[7]), Touzi Yiqing (Touzi[7]), Furong Daokai (Daokai[7]), Danxia Zichun (Danxia[7]), Zhenxie Qingliao (Wukong[7]), Tiantong Zongjue (Zongjue[7]), Xuedou Zhijian (Zhijian[7]), and Tiantong Rujing (Rujing[7]).

[13][10] Keizan originally gave this series of 53 Dharma talks to the monks of the Daijō-ji monastery during spring and the following winter ango practice periods.

He resisted the purist approach taken by Dōgen who preferred to teach and write; he took care to serve his congregation who might have dead or dying relatives; he founded new monasteries and temples; and he attracted followers like Gashau and Meiho who became his successors.