"Generally, in the Vinaya, there was a tradition in the Sangha for people to be normally appointed by some kind of vote, or consensus.  However, there was no vote for the first 'inheritor of the teachings'. Buddha personally appointed the 'inheritor' as Mahākāśyapa." "In terms of the meaning of 'inheritor' of the teachings, according to… Continue reading THE ‘INHERITORS’ OF THE BUDDHIST TEACHINGS AND THE PARINIRVĀṆA OF FIRST ‘INHERITOR’, MAHĀKAŚYAPA: The first ‘inheritors’ of Early Buddhism after the Buddha’s passing away, and the remarkable parinirvāṇa of Buddha’s ‘legacy-holder’, Mahākāśyapa (17th Karmapa teaching, Day 7)