You are currently logged-out. You can log-in or create an account to see more talks, save favorites, and more. more info

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 exists, and subsequent accounts are 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. He 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.

The accounts also differ on the date of his arrival. One early account claims that he arrived during the Liu Song dynasty (420–479 CE). Later accounts date 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 center 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

Showing 85 talks
 

- Reset Search

Title Speaker

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

Bodhidharma, Avalokiteshvara
Nov 07 2022

From Solitude to Compassionate Connection

Avalokiteshvara, Bodhidharma
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, War, Ego,...
Apr 02 2019
5/7
The Yoga Room

Silent Awakening Through Interconnected Stillness

Stillness, Silence, Bodhidharma
Apr 02 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

Bodhidharma Listening To The Cries Of The World

Consciousness, Bodhidharma, Bodhisattva
Mar 03 2018
No Abode Hermitage

Breath, Mind, and Zen Unity

Bodhidharma, Transmission, Zazen
Jan 25 2018

Evolving Journeys in Zen Practice

Bodhidharma, Zazen, Dogen
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

The Pivotal Business of Buddha’s House

Compassion, Bodhidharma
Jun 11 2016
PM
No Abode Hermitage

Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi, Part 7

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

Pathways to Zen Serenity

Breath, Bodhidharma, Enemies
Oct 27 2014

Fayen’s Good Friendship

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

I always think of Hunan in Spring

Bodhidharma, Japan
Apr 12 2014

Beyond Words: Encountering Zen Reality

Bodhidharma, Japan, Emptiness
Nov 18 2012

On the Body 

Karmic Consciousness, Bodhidharma, Consciousness
Nov 01 2012

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

Embodied Devotion: Realizing Buddha Ancestors

Buddha Ancestors, Bowing, Bodhidharma
Nov 03 2009

Embodying Zen: Community and Practice

Community, Offering, Bodhidharma
Feb 20 2008

Zen Path: Integrating Practice and Enlightenment

Zazen, Vow, Bodhidharma
Jan 25 2008

Beyond Buddhism: Embracing Interconnected Harmony

Love, Bodhidharma, Buddhism
Jun 05 2005

Embracing Zen: Beyond Duality and Attachment

Bodhidharma, Conversation, Heart Sutra, Soto Zen
May 11 2005

Bodhidharma's Successor

Serial: RA-00405

12/10/04 Tenshi Roshi Sesshin 5

Bodhidhama's Successor

Sroty of Bodhidharma and Huike

Practicing together

Empiness

Giving up gain and...

Bodhidharma, Buddha Nature, Patience, Samadhi, Perfect Wisdom, Daily Life, Manjushri, Subject-and-...
Dec 10 2004
Sesshin 5

Bodhidharma

Serial: RA-00384

Bodhidhar

Story of Bodhidharma and Emperor Wu

3 Pure Precepts

Embracing and Sustaining and being embraced and sustained (By forms and ceremonies, All Good...

Bodhidharma, Suzuki Roshi, Heart Sutra, Chanting, Patience, Commitment, Don't Know Mind,...
Dec 09 2004
Green Gulch Farm

Nonduality

Serial: RA-00427

12/6/04 Tenshin Roshi Sesshin #1

Nonduality

All Buddhas and All Beings are one mind

Nondual view is that duality and nonduality are nondualDualistic view...

Mahayana, Letting Go, Non-duality, Bodhidharma, Enemies, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center,...
Dec 06 2004
Green Gulch Farm

Transcending Illusions Through Wisdom

Buddhism, Bodhidharma, Meditation
Feb 2004

Awakening Through Emptiness Awareness

Bodhidharma, Meditation, Emptiness
Jan 21 2004

Emptiness Unveiled: Path to Liberation

Instruction, Heart Sutra, Bodhidharma
Jan 08 2004
Green Gulch Farm

Zen Lineage: History, Philosophy, Perception

Soto Zen, Vasubandhu, Bodhidharma
Nov 25 2003

Embracing Emptiness Beyond Perceptions

Buddha Mind, Bodhidharma, Chanting
Nov 16 2003

Zen Pathways to Compassionate Wisdom

Bodhidharma, Community, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Discrimination, Evil
Oct 26 2003

Breathing Into Compassionate Wisdom

Bodhidharma, Happiness, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Suzuki Roshi, Discrimination...
Oct 26 2003

Beyond Stories: Zen Liberated Wisdom

Letting Go, Religion, Attachment, Doubt, Bodhidharma
Oct 26 2003

Beyond Thought: Zen Liberation Journey

Letting Go, Bodhidharma, Religion, Attachment, Evil
Oct 26 2003

Beyond Extremes: Embracing the Middle Way

Three Treasures, Bodhidharma, Addiction, Practice Period
Oct 22 2003

GGF-Samadhi PP

Bodhisattva Way, Bodhidharma, Paramitas, Religion
Mar 06 2002

Non-Involvement for Spiritual Insight

Bodhidharma, Intimacy, Emotions, Letting Go, confusion
Aug 16 2001

Mindful Detachment for Enlightenment

Bodhidharma, Intimacy, Emotions, Letting Go, Addiction
Aug 16 2001

Renunciation: The Path to Zen Wisdom

Practice, Bodhidharma, Wisdom
Jan 17 2001

Pages