Bodhidharma Talks
Bodhidharma (Sanskrit; Chinese Dámó, Japanese Daruma) 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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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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Dongshan and the Monk from the MountaintopSerial: TL-00761 ADZG Sunday Morning, Faith, Zoom, Heart Sutra, Book of Serenity, Bodhidharma |
Sep 18 2022 Hybrid |
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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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Mountain Seat Ceremony RehersalSerial: BZ-02815 Rehersal for Hozan Alan Senauke's Mountain Seat Ceremony. Dragons, Bodhidharma, Bell, Silence, Bowing |
Jan 23 2021 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Living On A Mountain Dragons, Zoom, Bodhidharma, Lay Practice, Dharma Transmission, Ordination, Priest,... |
Oct 24 2020 |
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What Do You Call The World Book of Serenity, Mindfulness, Six Realms, New Year, Teacher-and-Student, Bodhidharma... |
Sep 19 2020 |
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The Three Natures Buddha Nature, Birth-and-Death, War, Bodhisattva Way, Precepts, Dharma Transmission,... |
Apr 25 2020 |
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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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Dogen's Plum Blossoms and the Treeness of EverythingSerial: TL-00650 ADZG Sunday Morning, Buddha Ancestors, Thich Nhat Hanh, New Year, Bodhidharma |
Feb 02 2020 ADZG Temple |
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Dogen's Snowy Mountain PoemsSerial: TL-00642 ADZG Sunday Morning, Bodhidharma, Sanctuary, Don't Know Mind, New Year |
Jan 05 2020 ADZG Temple |
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Bodhidharma's Intention for 2020Serial: TL-00640 ADZG Monday Night, Intention, New Year, Bodhidharma, Right Speech, Right Effort |
Dec 30 2019 ADZG Temple |
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Jewel Mirror Zazen Instructions; You've Got to Serve SomebodySerial: TL-00627 ADZG Rohatsu Sesshin, Precious Mirror, Bodhisattva Way, Doubt, Bodhidharma, Posture |
Dec 05 2019 ADZG Temple |
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Choices and Preferences Passions, Eka, Heart Sutra, uchiyama, Attachment, Bodhidharma, confusion,... |
Sep 21 2019 |
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Going Beyond Heart Sutra, Intimacy, Impermanence, Birth-and-Death, Practice Period, Renewal,... |
Aug 24 2019 |
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Man Up A Tree, Talk 3Serial: BZ-02686 Sesshin Day 3
Bodhisattva Vow, Vow, Gratitude, Big Mind, Ego, Renunciation, Bodhidharma, Intuition... |
Jun 21 2019 |
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Man up a Tree Renunciation, Ego, Practice Period, Buddha Nature, Don't Know Mind, Priest,... |
May 18 2019 |
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Practice Period 31st Opening Sesshin Practice Period, Birth-and-Death, Bodhidharma, Practice Position, Bodhisattva Vow,... |
May 11 2019 |
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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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Cypress Tree in the Garden Bodhidharma, Priest, Greed, Conversation, Buddha Nature, Interview, Oneness,... |
Mar 02 2019 |
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Book of Serenity case 12: Dizang Planting SeedsSerial: TL-00561 ADZG Wednesday Morning, Book of Serenity, lecture, Rinzai, Bodhidharma |
Dec 05 2018 ADZG Temple |
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Merit Gathas by Robert Aitken: The Dragon Who Never SleepsSerial: BZ-02651 Rohatsu Day 4
Bell, Vow, Offering, Bodhidharma, Priest-and-Lay, Buddha Mind, Soto Zen, Aspects of... |
Dec 05 2018 |
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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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Kyogen's Man Up in a Tree Ego, Duality, Peace, Bodhidharma, War, Priest, Oneness, Conversation, Instruction... |
Sep 29 2018 |
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Book of Serenity case 6: A Question of Basic Meaning and a HeadacheSerial: TL-00536 ADZG Monday Night, Blue Cliff Record, Book of Serenity, Fox, Vimalakirti, Bodhidharma |
Sep 03 2018 ADZG Temple |
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Book of Serenity case 5: The Cost of Bread in ChicagoSerial: TL-00534 ADZG Sunday Morning, Peace, Book of Serenity, Bodhidharma, Practice Period, Bodhisattva Way |
Aug 26 2018 ADZG Temple |
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Book of Serenity Case 3: Prajnatara and Inhale and Exhale as SutrasSerial: TL-00530 ADZG Sunday Morning, Book of Serenity, Bodhidharma, Blue Cliff Record, Emotions, Heart Sutra |
Jul 29 2018 ADZG Temple |
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Book of Serenity Case 2: Bodhidharma's Nothing HolySerial: TL-00529 ADZG Sunday Morning, Bodhidharma, Blue Cliff Record, Book of Serenity, Dharma Transmission, Silence... |
Jul 08 2018 ADZG Temple |
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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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Hyakujo Sits on the Sublime PeakSerial: BZ-02591 Sesshin
BCR-26, Separation, Monastic Practice, Lineage, Bodhidharma, Interview, Bowing,... |
Jan 13 2018 |
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TransiencySerial: BZ-02585 Day 3
Composure, Nirvana, Enemies, Big Mind, Buddha Nature, Ego, Bodhidharma, resistance,... |
Dec 05 2017 |
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Playing Bodhisattva VowSerial: TL-00494 ADZG Monday Night, Bodhisattva Vow, Balance, Bodhisattva Way, Manjushri, Bodhidharma |
Oct 30 2017 ADZG Temple |
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A Teacher Turning His Back and Turning SelfSerial: TL-00445 ADZG Sunday Morning, Book of Serenity, Bodhidharma, Silent Illumination, Hongzhi, Interview |
Jan 08 2017 ADZG Temple |
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Seshin day 3: Searching for the ox while riding it homeSerial: TL-00441 Sesshin Day 3 (Rohatsu), Ordinary Mind, Bodhidharma, training, Desire, Chanting |
Dec 02 2016 ADZG Temple |
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Thanksgiving: Practice Reminder and Celebration of Native American PersecutionSerial: TL-00438 ADZG Sunday Morning, Gratitude, Building, Commitment, Bodhidharma, Chanting |
Nov 27 2016 ADZG Temple |
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Master Ma is UnwellSerial: BZ-02503 Koan Class 1 Birth-and-Death, Bodhidharma, Fox, Book of Serenity, Lineage, Buddha Mind,... |
Oct 10 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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Yunmen's Body Exposed in The Golden WindSerial: BZ-02467 Class Blue Cliff Record Case 27
BCR-27, Dragons, Buddha Ancestors, Birth-and-Death, Bodhidharma, New Year, Sixth... |
Mar 21 2016 |
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Blue Cliff Record 62, Book of Serenity 92Serial: BZ-02465 Class
BCR-62, SER-92, Buddha Mind, Bodhidharma, Book of Serenity, Ordinary Mind, Fox,... |
Mar 14 2016 |
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Yunmen's JewelSerial: BZ-02463 Koan Class Blue Cliff Record Case 62
BCR-62, Book of Serenity, Buddha Mind, Duality, Subject-and-Object, Soto Zen, Blue... |
Mar 07 2016 |
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Blue Cliff Record Case 53Serial: BZ-02460 Class BCR-53, Buddha Nature, Don't Know Mind, Composure, Heart Sutra, Doubt, Intimacy... |
Feb 27 2016 |
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December 20th, 2015, Serial No. 00399 Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Big Mind, Balance, Bodhidharma, Practice Period... |
Dec 20 2015 |
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Zazen and Marginalized BeingsSerial: TL-00398 ADZG Sunday Morning, Pain, Bodhidharma, Politics, Peace |
Dec 13 2015 ADZG Temple |
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Beyond Sacred Truths Bamboo SnapsSerial: TL-00397 ADZG Sesshin, Bodhidharma, Pain, Religion, Sekito Kisen |
Dec 06 2015 ADZG Temple |
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The 6th Ancestor Refined and Sifted by the Elephant KingSerial: TL-00396 ADZG Sesshin, Tenzo, Fox, Bodhidharma, Dharma Transmission |
Dec 05 2015 ADZG Temple |
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Somersaulting Dragons Liberating the 4th AncestorSerial: TL-00395 ADZG Sesshin, Liberation, Bodhidharma, Letting Go, Balance, Peace |
Dec 04 2015 ADZG Temple |
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Our Leper Ancestor and Clarifying KarmaSerial: TL-00394 ADZG Sesshin, Pain, Bodhidharma, Rumi, Sesshin, Bodhisattva Precepts |
Dec 03 2015 ADZG Temple |
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Bodhidharma, the Wall, and the Crying GeeseSerial: TL-00393 ADZG Sesshin, Bodhidharma, Bell, Lay |
Dec 02 2015 ADZG Temple |