Bodhidharma is credited with bringing Zen Buddhism to China and he is the First Patriarch of Chinese Zen Lineage. He was born on Oct. 5th. (Chinese Lunar Calendar) in Southern India, and was the third son of an Indian King; the royal family belonged to the Bhramin caste. Bodhidharma's Buddhist Master, Prajnatara, was the 27th Patriarch of Indian Buddhism, taught Bodhidharma for many years, gave him Mind Transmission, made him the 28th Patriarch, and gave him the name Bodhidharma. Following the instruction of his Master to transmit Dharma to China, Bodhidharma traveled east to Southern China in 526 A.D. When he arrived in Kwang Chou, he was ceremoniously welcomed and greatly honored by the local military official named Shao Yang. The same year, he was invited to the Capitol, Nanjing, to meet Emperor Wu Di of the Liang dynasty. Because the communication between the Emperor and Bodhidharma was mutually unsatisfactory, Bodhidharma left the palace, crossed the Yangtzu River, and continued north until he arrived at the Shao Lin Temple in Ho Nan Province. It was here that Bodhidharma became famous for meditating 9 years facing a wall.
After he gave his disciple, Hui K'o, the Robe, Begging Bowl, Lankavatara Sutra, and Mind Transmission, Bodhidharma went to Chen Sung (One Thousand Saints) Temple to propagate the Dharma. He passed into Nirvana in 536 A.D., was buried in Shon Er Shan (Bear Ear Mountain) in Ho Nan, and a stupa was built for him in Pao Lin Temple. Later, the Tang dynasty Emperor, Dai Dzong, bestowed on Bodhidharma the name Yuen Che Grand Zen Master, and renamed his stupa as Kong Kwan (Empty Visualization).
Bodhidharma brought Zen from India to China and lived in the Shaolin Temple that ironically became famous for Kung Fu hundreds of years later. He was an Indian person so his facial features were quite dramatic, to the Chinese. Accordingly, he is heavily stylized when depicted.
The statue above is a very standard depiction, while the round, red ball thing on the top right is a unique, Japanese version. In Japan temples sell wooden versions in this style without eye pupils. You take it home and paint one pupil in before starting a big task, such as studying for a test. when the task is successfully completed, you paint the seconds pupil in and return him to the temple.
This is why you are sometimes greeted by hundreds of Daruma Dolls when entering the external shrine of a Japanese temple. You will also see Daruma when Japanese win and election. They usually paint the second pupil in at the press conference when they announce their victory.
Daruma meets the King
When he arrived in China, Daruma had to meet the King. The King was well known for spending on Buddhist temples, hospitals, schools and other public works. He asked Daruma "What merit have I accumulated for all my works?"
Daruma replied "None."
Daruma invigorates the Shaolin Temple
Next Daruma travelled north, eventually arriving at the Shaolin Temple. A popular legend claims he crossed the Yangtze River on a reed to get there. This is often depicted in images of him including the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) figurine on the left.
At Shaolin he spent nine years meditating while facing a wall. He took no disciples until one monk cut off his arm to prove his sincerity in relieving his suffering. This disciple was Master Hui K’o, who became Daruma's successor.
There's an interesting legend that 3 years after Daruma died he met a Chinese official in central Asia. According to the legend, he told the official he was retuning to India and carrying a single shoe. The resulting controversy caused the monks to open Daruma's grave where only a single shoe was found. Whatever the actual facts are, this led to yet another popular depiction of Daruma as travelling with a single show in toe, as in the Qing Dynasty figure on the right.
After he gave his disciple, Hui K'o, the Robe, Begging Bowl, Lankavatara Sutra, and Mind Transmission, Bodhidharma went to Chen Sung (One Thousand Saints) Temple to propagate the Dharma. He passed into Nirvana in 536 A.D., was buried in Shon Er Shan (Bear Ear Mountain) in Ho Nan, and a stupa was built for him in Pao Lin Temple. Later, the Tang dynasty Emperor, Dai Dzong, bestowed on Bodhidharma the name Yuen Che Grand Zen Master, and renamed his stupa as Kong Kwan (Empty Visualization).
- Bodhidharma's Teachings:
- Bodhidharma instructed his disciples that the Lankavatara Sutra be used to seal the mind. The method of cultivating practice transmitted by Bodhidharma pointed out that we should pay attention closely to this important sutra. His major teaching is there are two paths to enter Dharma Gate: Study and Practice. Study: through the study of Buddhist sutras and scriptures, you will understand Buddha Nature. Your Buddha Nature doesn't manifest because it is clouded by defilements, such as: greed, attachment, passion, aggression and ignorance. Practice: when you follow Buddhist principles in your daily life, you discover that your Buddha Nature is equal to the Buddha's.
- Bao Yen Hsin: The willingness to accept, without complaining, suffering and unhappiness because you understand it is your own karma.
- Sui Yen Hsin: Understanding that all situations are the consequences of karmic causes, and therefore, you maintain equanimity in all circumstances, both negative and positive.
- Tsung Fa Hsin: Realizing through practice the essence of your Buddha Nature, which is equanimity.
Bodhidharma brought Zen from India to China and lived in the Shaolin Temple that ironically became famous for Kung Fu hundreds of years later. He was an Indian person so his facial features were quite dramatic, to the Chinese. Accordingly, he is heavily stylized when depicted.
The statue above is a very standard depiction, while the round, red ball thing on the top right is a unique, Japanese version. In Japan temples sell wooden versions in this style without eye pupils. You take it home and paint one pupil in before starting a big task, such as studying for a test. when the task is successfully completed, you paint the seconds pupil in and return him to the temple.
This is why you are sometimes greeted by hundreds of Daruma Dolls when entering the external shrine of a Japanese temple. You will also see Daruma when Japanese win and election. They usually paint the second pupil in at the press conference when they announce their victory.
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| Bodhidharma's years of meditation in the cave are said to have left his shadow on this rock, removed from the cave and on display in the Shaolin Temple. |
When he arrived in China, Daruma had to meet the King. The King was well known for spending on Buddhist temples, hospitals, schools and other public works. He asked Daruma "What merit have I accumulated for all my works?"
Daruma replied "None."
"Ok then, what is the meaning of the Dharma (Buddhist teachings)?"
"Only emptiness, nothing sacred."
"Who stands before me?"
"I don't know."
This became a famous Zen dialogue with many interpretations. One of the best is: Good works make karma for your wealth, but wisdom is needed if you to are escape Samsara .
In any case the king must have been a great guy, because almost any other king in history would have cut Daruma's head off for being cheeky.
Next Daruma travelled north, eventually arriving at the Shaolin Temple. A popular legend claims he crossed the Yangtze River on a reed to get there. This is often depicted in images of him including the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) figurine on the left.
At Shaolin he spent nine years meditating while facing a wall. He took no disciples until one monk cut off his arm to prove his sincerity in relieving his suffering. This disciple was Master Hui K’o, who became Daruma's successor.
There's an interesting legend that 3 years after Daruma died he met a Chinese official in central Asia. According to the legend, he told the official he was retuning to India and carrying a single shoe. The resulting controversy caused the monks to open Daruma's grave where only a single shoe was found. Whatever the actual facts are, this led to yet another popular depiction of Daruma as travelling with a single show in toe, as in the Qing Dynasty figure on the right.
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