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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.

From bodhidharma on Wikipedia

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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

Zen Meditation on the Great Flower Adornment Scripture, Class 5

In 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

Zen Meditation on the Great Flower Adornment Scripture, Class 4

In 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

Compassion with the Controlling Impulse

Emphasizing 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

Embracing Wisdom Through Unknowing

Bodhidharma, Bell, Avalokiteshvara
Nov 14 2022

Relaxing in Responsibility: Zen Wisdom

resistance, Bodhidharma, Avalokiteshvara
Nov 07 2022

From Solitude to Compassionate Connection

Avalokiteshvara, Bodhidharma, Zendo
Oct 31 2022

Protecting and Liberating All Beings

A residential weekend retreat at Mount Madonna.

#MtMadonna-2021-Fall, Compassion, Intimacy, Observe, Zazen, Bodhidharma, American...
Nov 19 2021
Mount Madonna Center

Ten Vows, Ten Practices, and Ten Cakes

Discrimination, Bowing, Japan, Bell, Attachment, Priest, Dragons, Doubt, Bodhidharma...
Mar 07 2020
PM
No Abode Hermitage

Buddha Activity

The 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

March 25th, 2019, Serial No. 04477

Zazen, Buddha Mind, Bodhidharma
Mar 25 2019

Silent Sitting & Social Action

Zen 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

Teachings and Meditations On Our True Nature

Our 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

Bodhidharma Listening to the Cries of the World

Avalokiteshvara'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

March 3rd, 2018, Serial No. 04419

Consciousness, Bodhidharma, Bodhisattva
Mar 03 2018

January 25th, 2018, Serial No. 04412

Bodhidharma, Transmission, Buddha Mind
Jan 25 2018

2018, Serial No. 04454

Hongzhi, Bodhidharma, Zazen
2018

Watch the Set-Up Carefully

Listening to each others' stories; Scheherazade and the Thousand and One Nights;

Avalokiteshvara, Bodhidharma, Tassajara
Nov 11 2017
PM
No Abode Hermitage

December 11th, 2016, Serial No. 04349

Practice Period, Bodhidharma, Soto Zen
Dec 11 2016

The Pivotal Business of Buddha’s House

Compassion, Bodhidharma, resistance
Jun 11 2016
PM
No Abode Hermitage

January 16th, 2016, Serial No. 04265

Samadhi, Bodhidharma, Instruction
Jan 16 2016

Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi, Part 7

Confession-and-Repentance, Compassion, Complete Perfect Enlightenment, Precious...
Sep 19 2015
AM
No Abode Hermitage

October 27th, 2014, Serial No. 04165

Bodhidharma, Breath, Wisdom
Oct 27 2014

Fayen’s Good Friendship

Perfect Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Avalokiteshvara, Bodhidharma, Blue Cliff Record,...
Jun 07 2014
PM
No Abode Hermitage

April 12th, 2014, Serial No. 04126

Bodhidharma, japanese
Apr 12 2014

November 18th, 2012, Serial No. 04016

Bodhidharma, Japan, Emptiness
Nov 18 2012

November 7th, 2012, Serial No. 04009

Suffering, Practice, Bodhidharma
Nov 07 2012

November 1st, 2012, Serial No. 04007

Karmic Consciousness, Bodhidharma, Consciousness
Nov 01 2012

October 9th, 2010, Serial No. 03772

Bodhidharma, Bell, Manjushri
Oct 09 2010

October 9th, 2010, Serial No. 03773

Stillness, Bell, Bodhidharma
Oct 09 2010

October 9th, 2010, Serial No. 03774

difficulty, Ego, Bodhidharma
Oct 09 2010

Zen Meditation: Transforming Suffering Through Practice

Bodhidharma, Practice, Intimacy
Oct 03 2010

The Mind of Enlightenment 

Silence, Lotus Sutra, Dogen, Bodhidharma
Aug 19 2010
The Yoga Room

The Mind of Enlightenment 

Enthusiasm, Bodhidharma, Equanimity, Practice Period, Faith
Aug 05 2010
The Yoga Room

Training for the Selfless Heart 

Bodhidharma, Addiction, difficulty, Enthusiasm, Bodhisattva Way
Apr 15 2010
The Yoga Room

November 3rd, 2009, Serial No. 03687

Buddha Ancestors, Bowing, Bodhidharma
Nov 03 2009

January 25th, 2008, Serial No. 03523

Bodhidharma, Zazen, Bodhisattva Vow
Jan 25 2008

June 5th, 2005, Serial No. 03233

Bodhidharma, Buddhism, Letting Go
Jun 05 2005

February 2004 talk, Serial No. 03182

Buddhism, Bodhidharma, Impermanence
Feb 2004

January 21st, 2004, Serial No. 03170

Bodhidharma, Emptiness, Liberation
Jan 21 2004

November 16th, 2003, Serial No. 03143

Buddha Mind, Bodhidharma, Chanting
Nov 16 2003

January 29th, 2000, Serial No. 02937

Emptiness, Instruction, Bodhidharma
Jan 29 2000

March 30th, 1999, Serial No. 02908

Mindfulness, Bodhidharma, Openness
Mar 30 1999

March 28th, 1999, Serial No. 02906

Nirvana, Bodhidharma, Patience
Mar 28 1999

December 4th, 1997, Serial No. 02884

Karma, Emptiness, Bodhidharma
Dec 04 1997

October 5th, 1996, Serial No. 02832

Bodhidharma, Liberation, Faith
Oct 05 1996

August 7th, 1989, Serial No. 02818

Bodhidharma, Blue Cliff Record, Zazen
Aug 07 1989