Definitions for "Bodhidharma"
Keywords:  zen, buddhism, daruma, monk, china
(S) a semi-legendary Indian monk who became the first ancestor of Zen in China (Chadwick 1999).
Indian holy man, also known as Ta'Mo and Daruma, credited wth bringing zen buddhism to china by introducing a series of exercises to the shaolin temple, traditionally regognized as the orgin of all Shaolin Kung Fu.
boh-hid-dar-mah) Daruma, To-ma, Ma-to, the 28 patriach of buddhism after Sakyamuni (the historic Buddha) and the 1st partriach of Zen Buddhism in China. He took Dhyana (Chan, Zen) teachings from India to China in 520 AD. He is the legendary founder of Shaolin wushu. Although Daruma was first to introduce Zen into China his teachings were far to difficult and strenuous for the average person to grasp let alone appreciate. Another man came later by the name of Hui-neng who made Zen understandable for the Chinese mind and is truly the Father of Zen in China.