A story of Bodhidarmar...

1. Why did Bodhidharma come
from the West

2. Bodhidharma

3. Bodhidharma

4. Bodhidharma

5. The quintessence of Zen as
embodied in the figure of
Boddhidharma
A special transmission outside the scriptures,
Not founded upon words and letters;
By pointing directly to ones mind
It lets one see into one’s own true nature and thus attain
Buddhahood.

6. Boddhidharma’s first meeting with Emperor Wu
of Liang dynasty
The emperor asked, “Since ascending to the throne, I have had temples
built, sutras transcribed, and monks ordained. What merit have I gained?”
The master answered: “No merit at all.”
The emperor replied: “Why no merit at all?”
The master said: “All these are but impure motive for merit; they mature
the paltry fruit of rebirth as a human being or a deva (a god). They are like
shadows that follow the form, having no reality of their own.”
The emperor said: “Then of what kind is true merit?”
He answered: “It is pure knowing, wonderful and perfect. Its essence is
emptiness. One cannot gain such merit by wordly means”
Thereupon the emperor asked: “ What is the sacred truth’s first principle?”
The master replied: “Vast empriness, nothing sacred.”
The emperor said: “Who is this who faces me?”
The master replied: “I don’t know.”

7. Statements made by Bodhidharma
A pure wind invites the universe.
Where will it find an end?
Nine years had passed the he (Bodhidharma) now wished to return
Westward to India. He called his disciples and said: “The time has
Now come. Why doesn’t each of your say what you have attained?”
Then the disciple Tao-fu replied:” As I see it, [the truth] neither ad-
heres to words or letters, nor is it apart from them. It functions as
the Way.”
The master said: “You have attained my skin.”
A nun Tsung-chi’ih said: “As I understand it, the truth is like the
aus-
Picious glimpse of the Buddha land of Aksobhya; it is seen once, but
Not a second time.”
The master said: “You have attained my flesh.”

8. Continued…
Tao-yu said: “The four great elements are originally empty, the
five skanda’s have no existence. As I believe, no Dharma can be
grasped.”
The master said: “You have attained my bones.”
Finally there was Hui-k’o. He bowed respectfully and stood silent.
The master said: “You have attained my marrow.”
Bodhidharama sat in zazen facing the wall. The Second Patriarch,
Who had been standing in the snow, cut off his arm and said,
: “ Your disciples’ mind is not yet at peace. I beg you my teacher,
Please give me peace.” Bodhidharama said, “Bring the mind to me,
and I will set it at rest.” The Second Patriarch said, “I have searched
for the mind, and it is finally unattainable.” Bodhidharama said, “I
have thoroughly set it at rest for you.”

9. The legend reports a last conversation between Bodhidharma and his
disciples shortly before he died: Nice Years had passed and he [Bodhidharma]
now wished to return west-ward to India.
He called his disciples and said: “The time has now come. Why
Doesn’t each of you say what you have attained?”
Then the disciple Tao-fu replied: “As I see [the truth] neither adheres to
words or letters,
nor it is apart from them. It function as the Way.”
The master said : “You have attained my skin.”
A nun Tsung –ch’ih said: “As I understand it, the truth is like the
auspicious glimpse of the Buddha land of Aksobhya; it is seen once,
but not a second time.”
The Master said: “You have attained my flesh”
Tao-yu said: “The four great elements are originally empty; the five
skandhas
Have no existence. As I believe, no Dharma can be grasped.”
The Master said: “You have attained my bones.”
Finally there was Hui-k’o. He bowed respectfully and stood silent.
The Master said: “You have attained my marrow.”
A Last Conversation between Bodhidharma and his disciples
shortly before he died

10. Bidhidharma’s prediction of the future
of Zen in China
I came to this land originally to transmit the Dharma
And to bring deliverance from error.
A flower opens five petals.
The fruit ripens of itself.

11. The perfect Way knows no difficulties
Except that it refuses to make preference.
Only when freed from Hate and Love
It reveals itself fully and without disguise.
Poem attributed to the Fourth Patriarch