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Bodhidharma Talks

Bodhidharma was a semi-legendary Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th or 6th century CE. He is traditionally credited as the transmitter of Chan Buddhism to China, and is regarded as its first Chinese patriarch. He is also popularly regarded as the founder of Shaolin kung fu, an idea popularized in the 20th century, but based on the 17th century Yijin Jing and the Daoist association of daoyin gymnastics with Bodhidharma.
Little contemporary biographical information on Bodhidharma is extant, and subsequent accounts became layered with legend and unreliable details. According to the principal Chinese sources, Bodhidharma came from the Western Regions, which typically refers to Central Asia but can also include the Indian subcontinent, and is described as either a "Persian Central Asian" or a "South Indian [...] the third son of a great Indian king." Aside from the Chinese accounts, several popular traditions also exist regarding Bodhidharma's origins. Throughout Buddhist art, Bodhidharma is depicted as an ill-tempered, large-nosed, profusely-bearded, wide-eyed non-Chinese person. He is referred to as "The Blue-Eyed Barbarian" (Chinese: 碧眼胡; pinyin: Bìyǎnhú) in Chan texts.
The accounts also differ on the date of his arrival, with one early account claiming that he arrived during the Liu Song dynasty (420–479 CE) and later accounts dating his arrival to the Liang dynasty (502–557 CE). Bodhidharma was primarily active in the territory of the Northern Wei (386–534 CE). Modern scholarship dates him to about the early 5th century CE.
Bodhidharma's teachings and practice centered on meditation and the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra. The Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall (952) identifies Bodhidharma as the 28th Patriarch of Buddhism in an uninterrupted line that extends back to the Gautama Buddha himself.
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The Flower Adornment Scripture - Book Eight - The Four Truths of the Sages Consciousness, Four Noble Truths, Bodhidharma |
Jul 13 2024 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Zen Meditation on the Great Flower Adornment Scripture, Class 5In this series of meetings, we will study and see how Zen is the key unlocking the innumerable meanings of this oceanic scripture. We will also explore how the sutra opens and illuminates our simple... #YRB-2023-Fall, Demons, Faith, Lotus Sutra, Bodhidharma, Enlightenment |
Oct 31 2023 5 of 8 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Meditation on the Great Flower Adornment Scripture, Class 4In this series of meetings, we will study and see how Zen is the key unlocking the innumerable meanings of this oceanic scripture. We will also explore how the sutra opens and illuminates our simple... #YRB-2023-Fall, Faith, Lotus Sutra, Demons, Bodhidharma, Enlightenment |
Oct 24 2023 4 of 8 The Yoga Room |
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Compassion with the Controlling ImpulseEmphasizing compassion and de-emphasizing trying to control. Compassion with the impulse to try to control. Being careful without trying to control. Impartiality towards the outcome; for example,... Compassion, control, non-grasping, Lovingkindness, Avalokiteshvara, Avalokiteshvara,... |
Feb 04 2023 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Embracing Wisdom Through Unknowing Bodhidharma, Bell, Avalokiteshvara |
Nov 14 2022 |
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Relaxing in Responsibility: Zen Wisdom resistance, Bodhidharma, Avalokiteshvara |
Nov 07 2022 |
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From Solitude to Compassionate Connection Avalokiteshvara, Bodhidharma, Zendo |
Oct 31 2022 |
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Protecting and Liberating All BeingsA residential weekend retreat at Mount Madonna. #MtMadonna-2021-Fall, Compassion, Intimacy, Observe, Zazen, Bodhidharma, American... |
Nov 19 2021 Mount Madonna Center |
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Ten Vows, Ten Practices, and Ten Cakes Discrimination, Bowing, Japan, Bell, Attachment, Priest, Dragons, Doubt, Bodhidharma... |
Mar 07 2020 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Buddha ActivityThe work of buddhas — buddha activity — is realizing intimacy and liberation in conversation together with all beings. In this series of meetings we will contemplate what it is to fully engage with... YRB-2019-Spring, cognitive process, Silence, Faith, Suzuki Roshi, unconscious process... |
Apr 02 2019 5/7 The Yoga Room |
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March 25th, 2019, Serial No. 04477 Zazen, Buddha Mind, Bodhidharma |
Mar 25 2019 |
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Silent Sitting & Social ActionZen students often ask how our practice of silence and stillness relates to injustice and our environmental crisis. In this class we explore this question and study the intimate interplay of... YRB-2018-Fall, Silence, Bodhidharma, cognitive process, Observe, Fundraising, Lay,... |
Nov 13 2018 5 of 7 The Yoga Room |
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Teachings and Meditations On Our True NatureOur true nature is that we fully possess the wisdom and virtues of the buddhas. But because of misconceptions and attachments we do not realize our buddha nature. Therefore, teachings are given to... YRB-2018-Summer, Buddha Nature, Bodhidharma, Buddha |
Jul 31 2018 6/7 The Yoga Room |
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Bodhidharma Listening to the Cries of the WorldAvalokiteshvara's eyes of compassion observing all sentient beings; Bodhidharma and Emperor Wu, facing the wall for nine years; the Sixth Ancestor's training; Buddha Ancestors, Consciousness, Compassion, Bodhisattva, Bodhidharma, cognitive... |
Mar 03 2018 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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March 3rd, 2018, Serial No. 04419 Consciousness, Bodhidharma, Bodhisattva |
Mar 03 2018 |
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January 25th, 2018, Serial No. 04412 Bodhidharma, Transmission, Buddha Mind |
Jan 25 2018 |
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2018, Serial No. 04454 Hongzhi, Bodhidharma, Zazen |
2018 |
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Watch the Set-Up CarefullyListening to each others' stories; Scheherazade and the Thousand and One Nights; Avalokiteshvara, Bodhidharma, Tassajara |
Nov 11 2017 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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December 11th, 2016, Serial No. 04349 Practice Period, Bodhidharma, Soto Zen |
Dec 11 2016 |
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The Pivotal Business of Buddha’s HouseCompassion, Bodhidharma, resistance |
Jun 11 2016 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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January 16th, 2016, Serial No. 04265 Samadhi, Bodhidharma, Instruction |
Jan 16 2016 |
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Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi, Part 7Confession-and-Repentance, Compassion, Complete Perfect Enlightenment, Precious... |
Sep 19 2015 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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October 27th, 2014, Serial No. 04165 Bodhidharma, Breath, Wisdom |
Oct 27 2014 |
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Fayen’s Good FriendshipPerfect Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Avalokiteshvara, Bodhidharma, Blue Cliff Record,... |
Jun 07 2014 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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April 12th, 2014, Serial No. 04126 Bodhidharma, japanese |
Apr 12 2014 |
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November 18th, 2012, Serial No. 04016 Bodhidharma, Japan, Emptiness |
Nov 18 2012 |
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November 7th, 2012, Serial No. 04009 Suffering, Practice, Bodhidharma |
Nov 07 2012 |
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November 1st, 2012, Serial No. 04007 Karmic Consciousness, Bodhidharma, Consciousness |
Nov 01 2012 |
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October 9th, 2010, Serial No. 03772 Bodhidharma, Bell, Manjushri |
Oct 09 2010 |
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October 9th, 2010, Serial No. 03773 Stillness, Bell, Bodhidharma |
Oct 09 2010 |
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October 9th, 2010, Serial No. 03774 difficulty, Ego, Bodhidharma |
Oct 09 2010 |
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Zen Meditation: Transforming Suffering Through Practice Bodhidharma, Practice, Intimacy |
Oct 03 2010 |
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The Mind of Enlightenment Silence, Lotus Sutra, Dogen, Bodhidharma |
Aug 19 2010 The Yoga Room |
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The Mind of Enlightenment Enthusiasm, Bodhidharma, Equanimity, Practice Period, Faith |
Aug 05 2010 The Yoga Room |
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Training for the Selfless Heart Bodhidharma, Addiction, difficulty, Enthusiasm, Bodhisattva Way |
Apr 15 2010 The Yoga Room |
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November 3rd, 2009, Serial No. 03687 Buddha Ancestors, Bowing, Bodhidharma |
Nov 03 2009 |
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January 25th, 2008, Serial No. 03523 Bodhidharma, Zazen, Bodhisattva Vow |
Jan 25 2008 |
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June 5th, 2005, Serial No. 03233 Bodhidharma, Buddhism, Letting Go |
Jun 05 2005 |
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February 2004 talk, Serial No. 03182 Buddhism, Bodhidharma, Impermanence |
Feb 2004 |
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January 21st, 2004, Serial No. 03170 Bodhidharma, Emptiness, Liberation |
Jan 21 2004 |
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November 16th, 2003, Serial No. 03143 Buddha Mind, Bodhidharma, Chanting |
Nov 16 2003 |
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January 29th, 2000, Serial No. 02937 Emptiness, Instruction, Bodhidharma |
Jan 29 2000 |
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March 30th, 1999, Serial No. 02908 Mindfulness, Bodhidharma, Openness |
Mar 30 1999 |
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March 28th, 1999, Serial No. 02906 Nirvana, Bodhidharma, Patience |
Mar 28 1999 |
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December 4th, 1997, Serial No. 02884 Karma, Emptiness, Bodhidharma |
Dec 04 1997 |
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October 5th, 1996, Serial No. 02832 Bodhidharma, Liberation, Faith |
Oct 05 1996 |
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August 7th, 1989, Serial No. 02818 Bodhidharma, Blue Cliff Record, Zazen |
Aug 07 1989 |