Bodhidharma

Bodhidharma

Bodhidharma

Bodhidharma was the 28th patriarch of Buddhism (28th direct descendant of the historical Buddha) and the first patriarch of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism.  He was an enlightened master who introduced Chan Buddhism to China and is known as the founding father of Shaolin Kung Fu.

Born a prince in the southern Indian kingdom of Pallava at around 440 A.D., Bodhidharma was to follow in his father’s footsteps as king.  In the midst of his education and training, Bodhidharma encountered the Buddha’s teachings.  He immediately saw the truth in the doctrine of Buddhism and decided to give up his esteemed position and gifted princely life to become a monk and study with the legendary Buddhist master Prajnatara who was the 27th patriarch of Buddhism. 

Bodhidharma rapidly progressed in his Buddhist studies and in time became an enlightened master.  Master Prajnatara instructed his disciple to travel to China and spread the Mahayana teachings of Chan Buddhism to the Chinese.

Bodhidharma set off on his quest and after a brutal trek over Tibet's Himalayan Mountains, surviving both the extreme elements and treacherous bandits he finally arrived in China around 520 A.D. Upon the invitation of Emperor Liang Wu Ti, Bodhidharma went to Nanjing.

Bodhidharma meets Emperor Wu

Emperor Wu Ti, a devout Buddhist himself, requested an audience with Bodhidharma.  The emperor was very fond of Buddhism and often wore Buddhist garments, ate vegetarian food and recited Buddhist prayers.  Proud of his knowledge and contributions he had made towards the spreading of Buddhism, the emperor asked Bodhidharma “Since I came to the throne, I have built many temples, published numerous scriptures and supported countless monks and nuns. How great is the merit in my deeds?” “There is no merit in your deeds”, replied Bodhidharma. The emperor was confused and angered by his remark.  He had failed to understand Bodhidharma’s statement, which meant that one is not really practicing the dharma (Buddha’s teachings) if one does good deeds only for selfish reasons.  In the emperor’s case his actions were done for the intention of gaining fame and praise.  Bodhidharma was explaining that the self-centered desire and craving for merit and praise changed the nature of the emperor’s deeds.

After the conversation between the emperor and Bodhidharma, which was mutually unsatisfactory, Bodhidharma left the palace, crossed the Yangtze River, and continued north until he arrived at the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province.

Shaolin Temple

When Bodhidharma saw the monks at the Shaolin Temple, he noticed that they were spiritually strong but physically weak due to long-term meditation practice. Bodhidharma informed them that he would teach them to cultivate their minds and bodies by a two-part program of meditation and physical training.

Legend has it that Bodhidharma meditated in a cave nearby, facing the wall for 9 years in seclusion.  Upon reemerging, Bodhidharma created an efficient exercise program for the Shaolin monks that strengthened the body, and enabled application in self-defense. He developed a system of 18 dynamic tension exercises. These movements are known as the Yi Jin Jing, or Changing Muscle/Tendon Classic. We know this system today as the 18 Lohan Qi Qong Movements - the basis of Shaolin Kung Fu.  Through his teachings, the Shaolin Monks forged and developed over the centuries, what is today the most advanced and complete martial arts system the world has ever known. 

The contributions Bodhidharma has made to the spreading of Buddhism in China and beyond are immeasurable.  The Mahayana teaching of Chan Buddhism was quickly assimilated into Chinese culture and began to spread throughout the country.  In the 12th century, Chan Buddhism spread to Japan and then Korea.  Today Chan Buddhism is strong and flourishing in countries all over the world.

Quotes of Bodhidharma

The ignorant mind, with its infinite afflictions, passions, and evils, is rooted in the three poisons. Greed, anger, and delusion.

To go from mortal to Buddha, you have to put an end to karma, nurture your awareness, and accept what life brings.

End The mind is the root from which all things grow if you can understand the mind, everything else is included.

You If we should be blessed by some great reward, such as fame or fortune, it's the fruit of a seed planted by us in the past.

The essence of the Way is detachment.

Regardless of what we do, our karma has no hold on us.

According to the Sutras, evil deeds result in hardships and good deeds result in blessings.

Evil Your mind is nirvana.

Not engaging in ignorance is wisdom.

To enter by reason means to realize the essence through instruction and to believe that all living things share the same true nature, which isn't apparent because it's shrouded by sensation and delusion.

If you use your mind to look for a Buddha, you won't see the Buddha.

You As long as you look for a Buddha somewhere else, you'll never see that your own mind is the Buddha.

Only one person in a million becomes enlightened without a teacher's help.

And as long as you're subject to birth and death, you'll never attain enlightenment.

Emperor Wu and Bodhidharma

Emperor Wu

Emperor Wu asked Bodhidharma: "After I ascended the throne, I have built countless temples residences for monks and copied innumerable scriptures. How much merit have I accrued?" 

Bodhidharma answered: "There is no merit."

Startled, the Emperor then asked Bodhidharma: “What is the first principle of the holy teachings?”

Bodhidharma replied: “Vast emptiness, nothing holy.”

Emperor, frustrated, then asked Bodhidharma: "Who is this that stands before me?"

Bodhidharma answered:"I don't know."

The Emperor did not understand what Bodhidharma was saying. He was disappointed and upset. The meeting was obviously unsuccessful. Thereafter, Bodhidharma moved north, crossing the Yangtze River, floating on a reed.

Years later Emperor Wu realized he was hasty in dismissing Bodhidharma; and with regret wrote an inscription, on hearing the death of the sage:

Alas..! I saw him without seeing him;

I met him without meeting him;

I encountered him without encountering him;

Now as before I regret this deeply..!

More of his Quotes ..

But deluded people don't realize that their own mind is the Buddha. They keep searching outside.

Once you see your nature, sex is basically immaterial.

You Freeing oneself from words is liberation.

If you use your mind to study reality, you won't understand either your mind or reality. If you study reality without using your mind, you'll understand both.

Buddha means awareness, the awareness of body and mind that prevents evil from arising in either.

Many roads lead to the path, but basically there are only two: reason and practice.

To find a Buddha all you have to do is see your nature.

Worship means reverence and humility it means revering your real self and humbling delusions.

You can't know your real mind as long as you deceive yourself.

But while success and failure depend on conditions, the mind neither waxes nor wanes.

Life and death are important. Don't suffer them in vain.

People who don't see their nature and imagine they can practice thoughtlessness all the time are lairs and fools.

[This exchange between Bodhidharma and the Emperor later became the basis of a koan in Zen.

 It also pointed out, we all fall into the trap of expecting our accomplishments to be acknowledged and honored.

Tomes have been written on Bodhidharma’s replies: “Vast emptiness, nothing holy” and “I don’t know”]

 Shaolin Temple 

Shaolin Temple

After showing such remarkable knowledge and dedication to Buddhist practice, Bodhidharma was invited to enter the Shaolin Temple in 526 CE. Upon gaining entrance to Shaolin, Bodhidharma observed that the monks were weak and could not complete the demanding meditation routines that they should have been practicing. Like himself, the monks often fell asleep while meditating due to fatigue, and for this reason, could not achieve inner peace.

Bodhidharma was moved by the terrible physical condition of the monks of the Shaolin Temple. Likening the monks to the young Buddha, who almost died from rigorous meditation practices, he informed the monks that he would teach their bodies and their minds the Buddha's law through meditation and physical training.

Bodhidharma created an exercise program for the monks that strengthened their bodies and could be used in self-defence. Bodhidharma's primary concern was to make the monks physically strong enough to withstand both their isolated lifestyle and the deceptively demanding training that meditation requires. Nonetheless, the techniques he taught also served as an efficient fighting system, which evolved into the martial arts style called kung fu. Bodhidharma taught, however, that martial arts should never be used to hurt or injure needlessly. In fact, it is one of the oldest Shaolin axioms that 'one who engages in combat has already lost the battle.'