Editing Bodhidharma (section)

== Legends about Bodhidharma ==
Several stories about Bodhidharma have become popular legends, which are still being used in the Ch'an, Seon, and Zen-tradition.

=== Encounter with Emperor Wu of Liang ===
The ''Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall'' says that in 527, Bodhidharma visited [[Emperor Wu of Liang]], a fervent patron of Buddhism:
{{blockquote|<poem>
Emperor Wu: "How much karmic merit have I earned for ordaining Buddhist monks, building monasteries, having sutras copied, and commissioning Buddha images?"
Bodhidharma: "None. Good deeds done with worldly intent bring good karma, but no merit."
Emperor Wu: "So what is the highest meaning of [[Sacca|noble truth]]?"
Bodhidharma: "There is no noble truth, there is only emptiness."
Emperor Wu: "Then, who is standing before me?"
Bodhidharma: "I know not, Your Majesty."{{sfn|Broughton|1999|pp=2–3}}</poem>}}

This encounter was included as the first [[kōan]] of the ''[[Blue Cliff Record]]''.

=== Nine years of wall-gazing ===
[[File:Bodhidharma.and.Huike-Sesshu.Toyo.jpg|thumb|right|Dazu Huike offering his arm to Bodhidharma. Ink painting by [[Sesshū Tōyō]], 1496, [[Muromachi period]], Japan.]]
Failing to make a favorable impression in [[South China]], Bodhidharma is said to have travelled to the Shaolin Monastery. After either being refused entry or being ejected after a short time, he lived in a nearby cave, where he "faced a wall for nine years, not speaking for the entire time".{{sfn|Lin|1996|p=182}}

The biographical tradition is littered with apocryphal tales about Bodhidharma's life and circumstances. In one version of the story, he is said to have fallen asleep seven years into his nine years of wall-gazing. Becoming angry with himself, he cut off his eyelids to prevent it from happening again.{{sfn|Maguire|2001|p=58}} According to the legend, as his eyelids hit the floor the first [[Camellia sinensis|tea plants]] sprang up, and thereafter, [[tea]] would provide a stimulant to help keep students of Chan awake during [[zazen]].{{sfn|Watts|1962|p=106}}

The most popular account relates that Bodhidharma was admitted into the Shaolin temple after nine years in the cave and taught there for some time. However, other versions report that he "passed away, seated upright";{{sfn|Lin|1996|p=182}} or that he disappeared, leaving behind the ''[[Yijin Jing]]'';{{sfn|Lin|1996|p=183}} or that his legs atrophied after nine years of sitting,{{sfn|Dumoulin|Heisig|Knitter|2005|p=86}} which is why [[Daruma doll]]s have no legs.

=== Huike cuts off his arm ===
In one legend, Bodhidharma refused to resume teaching until his would-be student, [[Dazu Huike]], who had kept vigil for weeks in the deep snow outside of the monastery, cut off his own left arm to demonstrate sincerity.{{sfn|Maguire|2001|p=58}}{{refn|group=note|Daoxuan records that Huìkě's arm was cut off by bandits.{{sfn|Broughton|1999|p=62}}}}

=== Transmission ===
==== Skin, flesh, bone, marrow ====
''Jingde Records of the Transmission of the Lamp'' (景德传灯录) of Daoyuan, presented to the emperor in 1004, records that Bodhidharma wished to return to India and called together his disciples:
{{blockquote|<poem>Bodhidharma asked, "Can each of you say something to demonstrate your understanding?"
Dao Fu stepped forward and said, "It is not bound by words and phrases, nor is it separate from words and phrases. This is the function of the Tao."
Bodhidharma: "You have attained my skin."
The nun Zong Chi{{refn|group=note|Various names are given for this nun. Zōngzhǐ is also known by her title Soji, and by Myoren, her nun name. In the ''Jǐngdé Records of the Transmission of the Lamp'', Dharani repeats the words said by the nun Yuanji in the ''Two Entrances and Four Acts'', possibly identifying the two with each other.{{sfn|Broughton|1999|p=132}} Heng-Ching Shih states that according to the ''Jǐngdé chuándēng lù'' 景德传灯录 the first `bhikṣuni` mentioned in the Chán literature was a disciple of the First Chan Patriarch, Bodhidharma, known as Zōngzhǐ 宗旨 [early-mid 6th century]<ref group=web>{{cite web|title=The Committee of Western Bhikshunis |url=http://www.thubtenchodron.org/BuddhistNunsMonasticLife/the_committee_of_western_bhikshunis.html|access-date=12 March 2009 |work=thubtenchodron.org|date=18 September 2006|url-status=live|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808090449/http://www.thubtenchodron.org/BuddhistNunsMonasticLife/the_committee_of_western_bhikshunis.html}}</ref>}}{{refn|group=note|In the Shōbōgenzō 正法眼蔵 chapter called Katto ("Twining Vines") by [[Dōgen|Dōgen Zenji]] (道元禅師), she is named as one of Bodhidharma's four Dharma heirs. Although the First Patriarch's line continued through another of the four, Dogen emphasizes that each of them had a complete understanding of the teaching.<ref group=web>{{cite web |author=Zen Nun|title=WOMEN IN ZEN BUDDHISM: Chinese Bhiksunis in the Ch'an Tradition|work=geocities.com |url=http://www.geocities.com/zennun12_8/chanwomen.html |archive-date=27 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027135930/http://www.geocities.com/zennun12_8/chanwomen.html}}</ref>}} stepped up and said, "It is like a glorious glimpse of the realm of Akshobhya Buddha. Seen once, it need not be seen again."
Bodhidharma; "You have attained my flesh."
Dao Yu said, "The four elements are all empty. The five skandhas are without actual existence. Not a single dharma can be grasped."
Bodhidharma: "You have attained my bones."
Finally, Huike came forth, bowed deeply in silence and stood up straight.
Bodhidharma said, "You have attained my marrow."{{sfn|Ferguson|2000|pp=16-17}}</poem>
}}
Bodhidharma passed on the symbolic robe and bowl of dharma succession to Dazu Huike and, some texts claim, a copy of the ''Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra''.{{sfn|Faure|1986|p=187-198}} Bodhidharma then either returned to India or died.

=== Bodhidharma at Shaolin ===
[[File:Bodhidharma MET DP-12231-038.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Qing dynasty]] (1644–1911) statuette of Bodhidharma. 19th century.]]
{{See also|Shaolin Monastery#Patron saint|l1=Patron Saint of Shaolin monastery|Bodhidharma#Shaolin boxing|l2=Scholars on Shaolin Kung-fu origins}}
Some Chinese myths and legends describe Bodhidharma as being disturbed by the poor physical shape of the Shaolin monks,{{sfn|Garfinkel |2006|p=186}} after which, he instructed them in techniques to maintain their physical condition as well as teaching meditation.{{sfn|Garfinkel |2006|p=186}} He is said to have taught a series of external exercises called the [[Luohan (martial arts)|Eighteen Arhat Hands]]{{sfn|Garfinkel |2006|p=186}} and an internal practice called the Sinew Metamorphosis Classic.{{sfn|Wong|2001|loc=Chapter 3}} In addition, after his departure from the temple, two manuscripts by Bodhidharma were said to have been discovered inside the temple: the ''[[Yijin Jing]]'' and the ''Xisui Jing''. Copies and translations of the ''Yijin Jing'' survive to the modern day. The ''Xisui Jing'' has been lost.{{sfn|Haines|1995|loc=Chapter 3}}

=== Travels in Southeast Asia ===
[[File:Himeji-jo-112113.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Painting of Bodhidharma at [[Himeji Castle]]. [[Edo period]], Japan.|alt=|left]]
According to [[Southeast Asia]]n folklore, Bodhidharma travelled from [[Jambudvipa]] by sea to [[Palembang]], [[Indonesia]]. Passing through [[Sumatra]], [[Java]], [[Bali]], [[Malaysia]], and [[Luzon|Luzon Island]], he eventually entered China through [[Nanyue]]. In his travels through the region, Bodhidharma is said to have transmitted his knowledge of the Mahayana doctrine and the martial arts. Malay legend holds that he introduced [[kata|forms]] to [[silat]].{{sfn|Shaikh Awab|Sutton|2006}} In Tagalog legend, Bodhidharma reached the island of [[Luzon]] in the [[Philippines]] passing through [[Palawan]] and he introduced [[Arnis]] to the locals.

[[Vajrayana]] tradition links Bodhidharma with the 11th-century south Indian monk [[Dampa Sangye]] who travelled extensively to Tibet and China spreading tantric teachings.{{sfn|Edou|1996|p=32, p. 181 n. 20}}

=== Appearance after his death ===
Three years after Bodhidharma's death, Ambassador [[Song Yun]] of northern Wei is said to have seen him walking while holding a shoe at the [[Pamir Mountains]]. Song asked Bodhidharma where he was going, to which Bodhidharma replied, "I am going home". When asked why he was holding his shoe, Bodhidharma answered, "You will know when you reach Shaolin monastery. Don't mention that you saw me or you will meet with disaster". After arriving at the palace, Song told the emperor that he met Bodhidharma on the way. The emperor said Bodhidharma was already dead and buried and had Song arrested for lying. At Shaolin Monastery, the monks informed them that Bodhidharma was dead and had been buried in a hill behind the temple. The grave was exhumed and was found to contain a single shoe. The monks then said, "Master has gone back home" and prostrated three times: "For nine years, he had remained and nobody knew him; Carrying a shoe in hand he went home quietly, without ceremony."{{sfn|Watts|1958|p=32}}