Over the course of the month of September 2015, we’ve been
studying and discussing Bodhidharma at One Mind Zen Sangha. The “Zen Teachings of Bodhidharma” is a
collection of sermons attributed to him. We’ve used both Red Pine and Ven.
Wonji Dharma’s translations of these four texts: “Outline of Practice,” “Bloodstream
Sermon,” “Wake-up Sermon,” and “Breakthrough Sermon.”
In Week One, I give some background biographical information
on Bodhidharma—the first Chan (Zen) Patriarch. “Biography” implies the story of
one’s life, so that may not be an entirely accurate description—since there are
those who doubt Bodhidharma’s existence, where he came from (the Kong-an asks “Why
did Bodhidharma come from the West?” not why did he come from southeastern
India), and years of birth, death, and stories about what came in between.
He’s often referred to as the “Red-bearded Barbarian,”
sometimes even with “Blue-eyed” thrown in. I don’t know what the ethnic traits
of the population of southern India were 1,500+ years ago, so I can’t really
comment on whether blue-eyes and a red beard automatically disqualify his
coming from India. And I can’t say that it disqualifies him coming from
modern-day Persia or Afghanistan either. And of course, how well translated “Red-bearded,
blue-eyed barbarian” is from the Chinese of that long ago is questionable to me
as well. All that notwithstanding, Bodhidharma is a legendary figure, whether
it’s all based on legend or not.
If you want biographical information, there are plenty of
sources, both from Zen and Kung-Fu standpoints. (He is also credited with being
the teacher to the monks at Shaolin Temple in the martial art). There’s even a
movie called “Bodhidharma, Master of Zen,” that goes into both those aspects. In
its 1970-ish Kung-Fu movie way, it’s very entertaining if you like that sort of
thing. I wouldn’t necessarily base any scholarly research on it, however. Then
again, it could be 100% accurate.
Regardless of any arguments about Bodhidharma having lived,
where he came from, and what he did once he got to China, there are some great,
if apocryphal stories associated with him. Right off the bat, he is summoned to
meet Emperor Wu, who thinks of himself as a great supporter of Buddhism in
China (which had come somewhere around 400 years prior to Bodhidharma’s
arrival). Wu tells Bodhidharma about his support for the monks, all the temples
he’s been building, the general, “Here pat me on the back, eminent Indian monk,
because you should really be impressed by me.” Wu asks how much merit there is in
his deeds, Bodhidharma responds with, “No merit whatsoever.” Wu asks
Bodhidharma to explain the teachings of the Buddha to him, Bodhidharma replies
with, “Vast emptiness, nothing holy.” Perplexed, probably angry with this
insolence, Wu asks something along the lines of, “Who do you think you are?!?”
Bodhidharma’s reply is, “Don’t know.”
As with many Buddhist teachings, Bodhidharma is inclined to
answer questions such as “What is this?” with answers that mark what “this” isn’t.
Think there’s a payoff for your good deeds? Don’t count on it. If you do these
deeds with the expectation of acquiring something as a result of having done
them, the expectation itself cancels out the “merit” the deed might have accrued.
You’re still back in the hell realms. The Buddha’s teaching? Nope, not gonna
fall into your net, you created it, you wriggle out of it. Who is this? “Indeed,
great Emperor, who is this?”
Realizing our True Nature? As easy as surfing across the
Yangtze River on a hollow reed. Pacify one’s racing thoughts? Bring them to
Bodhidharma, if you can find them. Open your eyes! How could it be another way? And how badly do you want to study the Great
Way with a sage? Would you give your right arm for it? Ask Huike. He has
first-hand experience. There is no second-hand.
Listen to the Dharma talk by clicking the title, or navigate here:
https://soundcloud.com/onemindzen/bodhidharma-man-myth-legend
