Bodhidhamma aka Da Mo

marcteng SG

Did Da Mo really taught martial arts to shaolin temple in china?
some commentary said Da Mo was Guan Shi Yin Pusa.
Much has been said about his life and activities in China, when he went to China to spread Chan Buddhism.

What was he like in India before he came to china? Was he from Theravada or Mahayana tradition?

bohiruci SG

Da mo which is bodhidharma is the first patriach of zen in china
What he taught is basically the rod technique of the northern india temple in fighting bandits ,in a purpose also to strengthen the physique of the shaolin monk

Before He came to china ,China is in a state of upheaval ,the 6 dynasties after the split Eastern Jin Dynasty ,made the common folk suffer .Mahayana Buddhism was already spread to china ,but there need a impetus of the correct technique of dhyana(chan) in China

He is from the Mahayana tradition .

for more info , u can go and watch this vcd on da mo zhu shi

i have a copy of it

bohiruci SG

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhidharma

An Eternal Now SG

In the beginning, there is no sectarian difference over Theravada and Mahayana. Zen began even before the sectarian differences sprung up... when Buddha transmitted the Mind to Ven. Kashyapa without spoken words. Then later Kashyapa transmitted it to Ananda and so on... the lineage of Zen continued until today, but the robes was not passed down since 6th Chinese Patriarch Hui Neng.

But Bodhidharma was asked by his teacher from India to spread the Mahayana teachings in China Smile

An interesting read: Life of the Six Zen Partriaches from Bodhidharma to Hui Neng

marcteng SG

Is Bodhidhamma guan yin as people said he is?

An Eternal Now SG

Yes. He is Guan Yin's manifest.

If you read Lotus Sutra, you would know that Guan Yin can appear in any kinds of form in order to preach the dharma Smile

marcteng SG

Yes, Guan Shi Yin Pusa can, but why say Bodhidhamma is a manifestation of Guan Shi Yin Pusa? Dalai Lama also?

An Eternal Now SG

The Case

Emperor Wu of Liang asked the great master Bodhidharma, "What is the highest meaning of the holy truths?"
Bodhidharma said, "Empty, without holiness."
The Emperor said, "Who is facing me?"
Bodhidharma replied, "I dont know."
The Emperor did not understand.
After this, Bodhidharma crossed the Yang Tse River and came to the kingdom of Wei.

Later, the Emperor brought this up to master Chih and asked him about it.
Master Chih said, "Does Your Majesty know who this man is?"
The Emperor said, "I dont know."
Master Chih said, "He is Mahasattva Avalokitsvara, transmitting the Buddha mind to you."
The Emperor felt regretful, so he wanted to send an emissary to go get Bodhidharma to return.
Master Chih told him, "Your Majesty, dont send someone to fetch him back. Even if everyone in the whole country went to go after him, he still wouldnt return."

bohiruci SG

okie .... one thing to note

Why was the robe not passed down after 6th Patriach ,it is a instruction
by Bodhidharma ,the robes and alms which is used by Buddha Sakyamuni has become an instrument of power in the tang dynasty china (when wu zetian ruled )

Bodhidharma already knew the Alms and bowl should not be the authentication of a direct lineage from zen .

Especially in the movie of bodhidharma ,He recited the lankavatara sutra stanza

"I came to this Land .Spread the Dharma to save the deluded sentient beings.
One flower opens 5 petal , the result is accomplished naturally .

Means after the 6th Patriach ,Chan school become 5 main school
Dharma eye
Rinzai
Soto Zen

others i forgot liao