Katsuki Sekida

Bodhidharma is a semi-legendary figure from the 5th or 6th century CE, traditionally recognized as the founder of Chan Buddhism in China and its first patriarch. While contemporary records are scarce and later accounts are embellished, he is believed to have originated from Central Asia or South India. Descriptions paint him as a non-Chinese individual with distinct features, such as a large nose and beard. His teachings primarily focused on meditation and the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra. Bodhidharma is also popularly, though anachronistically, linked to the founding of Shaolin kung fu. His name, meaning 'dharma of awakening,' has various transliterations and epithets, including 'wall-gazing Brahmin' and 'blue-eyed barbarian,' reflecting his contemplative practices and foreign origins.

The exact origins of Bodhidharma are unclear, with historical accounts suggesting he hailed from the "Western Regions," a term encompassing Central Asia and sometimes the Indian subcontinent. Chinese sources describe him as either a "Persian Central Asian" or the "third son of a great Indian king." Later traditions also mention him being of "South Indian Brahman stock." Despite these variations, he is consistently depicted in Buddhist art as a non-Chinese figure, often characterized by a prominent nose, beard, and wide eyes. His arrival in China is dated differently across various texts, with some placing it during the Liu Song dynasty (420–479 CE) and others during the Liang dynasty (502–557 CE). Modern scholarship generally dates him to the early 5th century CE.

Bodhidharma's teachings and practices centered on meditation and the study of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra. He is identified in the Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall (952) as the 28th Patriarch in an unbroken lineage tracing back to Gautama Buddha. However, some sources, like the Record of the Masters and Students of the Laṅka, suggest he was the second patriarch, with Guṇabhadra, the translator of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra, being the first. His epithets, such as "wall-gazing Brahmin," allude to his intense meditative practice, notably a nine-year period spent gazing at a wall. His association with meditation and the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra formed the bedrock of his influence on Chan Buddhism.

Later historical works and traditions expanded upon the sparse initial accounts of Bodhidharma. The "Further Biographies of Eminent Monks" (7th century) provided more details about his travels and suggested a possible death date prior to 534 CE, even hinting at his demise during the mass executions at Heyin in 528 CE. The Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall (952) solidified elements of the traditional narrative, including his encounter with Emperor Wu of Liang. Popularly, Bodhidharma is also linked to the founding of Shaolin kung fu, an idea that gained traction in the 20th century, though it is based on later texts and associations with Daoist gymnastics.

“"Truly this is the work of spirits."”

“"I am 150 years old, and I have passed through numerous countries. There is virtually no country I have not visited. Even the distant Buddha-realms lack this."”