In the heart of the Shaolin Temple, nestled among the ancient halls and towering trees, Bodhidharma sat in deep meditation. His figure was illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight, his eyes closed, and his legs crossed in the lotus position. A sense of tranquillity pervaded the air as he embarked on a profound inner journey.
For years, he had faced the wall in unwavering stillness, delving into the depths of his own mind. His breath was slow and steady, matching the rhythm of the universe itself. With every inhale and exhale, he seemed to merge with the very essence of existence.
In the midst of this deep meditation, Bodhidharma’s consciousness expanded beyond the confines of his physical body. He felt connected to every creature, every blade of grass, and every gust of wind. The boundaries between himself and the universe blurred, as if he had become a vessel for cosmic energy.
Legend has it that during this deep meditation, Bodhidharma achieved a profound realization—a direct understanding of the nature of existence and the essence of consciousness. His teachings would go on to inspire generations of seekers, shaping the path of Zen Buddhism and leaving an indelible mark on the course of spiritual history.
The influences of Zen permeate all Han Buddhism—the type of Buddhism observed in China and Taiwan. The Zen school was founded in the 5th or 6th century at the famous Shaolin Monastery in China by the Indian meditation teacher, Bodhidharma. Zen, or Chán (short for Chánnà), comes from the Pali word Jhāna (Dhyāna in Sanskrit) which means “to meditate.” True to its name, this Buddhist sect has always emphasized direct practice and experience over relying too much on the study of Buddhist scripture.
Heavily influenced by Chinese Taoism, Zen is still today a major religious and spiritual tradition in Taiwan, China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan. Like all forms of Buddhism, Zen is primarily concerned with liberation from suffering. But its practice is quite unique. Borrowing Taoist insights and practices on what psychologists call flow, Zen Buddhism greatly enhanced the meditative practices already extant in Indian Buddhism and made it a central part of Zen practice.
Zen culture has also become a part of folk culture. And the many fantastic tales about Zen’s legendary founder have continued to inspire (and entertain) practitioners and laypeople across East Asia, and beyond.
The Blue-Eyed Foreigner
Born into luxury in 5th-century India, Bodhidharma, the son of a prosperous king, is often portrayed as a stern-looking, bearded monk with an intense stare. In his youth, he lived a life of opulence. Within the gilded palace walls, he was shielded from the harsh realities of the world. Yet, a growing curiosity about existence, suffering, and purpose tugged at his heart. Dissatisfied with the shallowness of his royal existence, he embarked on a personal odyssey in search of profound meaning.
Across the rugged landscapes of India, Bodhidharma travelled and sought wisdom from a mosaic of spiritual teachers, scholars, and seekers. Monasteries, temples, and secluded hermitages became his classroom, and he delved deep into meditation, philosophy, and ancient texts. As years passed, he synthesized the diverse teachings into a unique tapestry of understanding, shaping the foundation of his transformative journey.
Yet, despite his accumulation of knowledge, Bodhidharma found himself craving an inner revelation that transcended mere words. This revelation drew him to the distant land of China, where the Chinese described him as an “unshaven, blue-eyed foreigner.”
China became the canvas upon which Bodhidharma painted his legacy. In time, his encounter with the Shaolin Temple and his eventual founding of Zen Buddhism left an indelible mark on spirituality. His early life, characterized by luxury and restlessness, would fuel his quest for deeper understanding, driving him to become a revered figure whose journey continues to inspire seekers of wisdom and enlightenment.
Note: It’s unclear whether Bodhidharma came originally from India or Inner Asia, where Buddhism once thrived. Ancient Chinese sources described him as hailing from “Western Regions,” which referred to both areas. The monk could well have been a Persianate Central Asian. As noted above, some sources described him as having blue eyes, which suggested a Central Eurasian origin.
The Monk and the Emperor
One of the most iconic moments in the origin of Zen Buddhism is the legendary encounter between Bodhidharma and Emperor Wu of Liang. This historic meeting, which took place in ancient China, sheds light on the core principles and philosophies that would come to define Zen Buddhism.
Emperor Wu of Liang, a devout Buddhist ruler, was known for his extensive support of the Buddhist clergy, including the construction of temples and the translation of scriptures. Seeking validation for his pious deeds, he summoned Bodhidharma, soon after the monk’s arrival in China, to his court and posed a fundamental question: “I have built numerous temples, supported monks, and translated many scriptures. What is my merit in doing so?”
Bodhidharma, a sage of few words but profound insight, delivered a response that would reverberate through the annals of Zen history: “No merit at all.”
Emperor Wu was taken aback by this blunt answer. Eager to delve deeper into the essence of Buddhism, he pressed further, asking, “What then is the first principle of the holy teaching?”
In a manner characteristic of Zen’s direct and unadorned approach, Bodhidharma replied, “Vast emptiness, nothing holy.”
This brief yet profound exchange encapsulates the essence of Zen Buddhism. It emphasizes the primacy of direct, experiential understanding over ritualistic practices and external displays of piety. Bodhidharma’s declaration of “no merit at all” challenged conventional notions of religious accomplishment and status, inviting seekers to explore the path to enlightenment through personal insight and inner contemplation.
Tea and Bodhidharma’s Eyes
Once upon a time, the stern-faced Zen master Bodhidharma faced an amusing dilemma during his meditation sessions—he just couldn’t stay awake.
In a fit of determination, Bodhidharma decided he’d do something drastic about it. He thought, “If I can’t keep my eyelids from shutting, I’ll just have to get rid of them!” So, with the determination that only Bodhidharma could muster, he dramatically tore off his own eyelids and tossed them away.
Miraculously, where his discarded eyelids landed, two little green shoots sprouted, soon to become the world’s first tea plants. Bodhidharma then realized he’d stumbled upon something incredible. He brewed those leaves into a bitter, eye-opening concoction, and thus, tea was born!
After his eyelid ordeal, Bodhidharma’s eyes became large and piercing, as he could never quite close them fully again. This is why, in East Asian art, Bodhidharma is always depicted in statues and paintings with huge, scary-looking eyes.
So, not only did he discover tea to fight sleepiness during meditation, but his distinctive eyes also served as a constant reminder of his extreme dedication to enlightenment. To this day, when you see those intense, wide-open eyes in Bodhidharma’s images, remember that it all began with a struggle against sleepiness and a quest for the perfect cup of tea!
Bodhidharma and Shaolin Kung Fu
According to legend, when Bodhidharma arrived at Shaolin Temple, he found the monks in poor physical and mental condition due to their sedentary lifestyle and long hours of meditation. To help them, Bodhidharma introduced a series of exercises to improve their physical health, which later became the foundation of Shaolin Kung Fu. These exercises included various movements and techniques that focused on building strength, flexibility, and mental discipline.
Over the centuries, Shaolin Kung Fu has become one of the most famous and influential martial arts styles in the world. It emphasizes both physical and mental training, incorporating techniques such as strikes, kicks, and grappling maneuvers. Practitioners of Shaolin Kung Fu often engage in rigorous training routines, including forms (sequences of movements), sparring, and meditation.
The Shaolin Temple itself has become a symbol of martial arts and Chinese culture, attracting visitors and martial arts enthusiasts from around the globe. The legacy of Bodhidharma and his contributions to the development of Shaolin Kung Fu continue to inspire practitioners and scholars interested in the martial arts as well as Zen Buddhism.
Zen Today
Zen Buddhism is alive and well today—not only in East Asia but in the West, as well!
Taiwan’s Zen master Sheng-Yen (1931–2009) founded the influential Dharma Drum Mountain in Taipei to preserve, research and promote the insights of Zen Buddhism. Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022), a celebrated Vietnamese Zen monk, founded Plum Village in southern France and wrote numerous books to educate lay communities worldwide on Zen teachings. There was also Shunryū Suzuki (1904–1971), the Japanese Zen teacher who founded the first Zen monastery outside Asia. His works have been central to the development of North American Zen.
Through the efforts of modern-day teachers and leaders, this ancient school founded by Bodhidharma continues to thrive.
