Sosan, also known as Sengcan, was a Chinese Zen teacher who lived during the 6th century. He is best known for his role as the Third Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, following in the footsteps of Bodhidharma and Huike. While there is not much information available about his life, Sosan is remembered for his teachings and his influence on the development of Zen Buddhism in China.

Sosan's most famous disciple is undoubtedly Hui-neng, who is considered the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism. Hui-neng is credited with spreading Sosan's teachings and establishing the Southern School of Zen, which became the dominant school of Zen in China. Hui-neng is also known for his famous poem, the Platform Sutra, which is said to have been a response to Sosan's poem, the Hsin Hsin Ming.

Another notable disciple of Sosan is Tao-hsin, who is known for his role in the development of the Northern School of Zen. Tao-hsin is credited with spreading Sosan's teachings in the northern regions of China and establishing a monastery in Mount Lu. He is also known for his writings, which were heavily influenced by Sosan's teachings.

Among Sosan's successors, the most famous is probably Chih-i, who is considered the Fourth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism. Chih-i is known for his role in the development of the T'ien-t'ai School, which integrated Zen teachings with other Buddhist philosophies. He is also known for his commentary on Sosan's poem, the Hsin Hsin Ming, which helped to spread Sosan's teachings to a wider audience.

Other notable successors of Sosan include Hui-hai, who is credited with spreading Zen Buddhism to Japan, and Kuei-shan Ling-yu, who is known for his role in the development of the Caodong School of Zen. These successors, along with many others, helped to spread Sosan's teachings and establish Zen Buddhism as a major school of Buddhism in China.

In conclusion, while there is not much information available about Sosan's life, his teachings and influence on Zen Buddhism are still celebrated today. His famous disciples and successors played a crucial role in spreading his teachings and establishing Zen Buddhism as a major school of Buddhism in China. Sosan's legacy continues to live on, inspiring generations of Zen practitioners to seek enlightenment and inner peace.