Buddhist scriptures began to spread from India to Southeast Asia at the beginning of the 1st century. AD But the essence of Buddhism was brought to China by Bodhidharma in 520 AD. There is a legend about this.
Bodhidharma was expected. Emperor Wu of China rode out to greet him. He was excited. There were many rumors about Bodhidharma's extraordinary nature. He was an enlightened Master and the Emperor wanted to welcome him into his empire. His courtiers were also excited. How to behave? They had never met such a person before.
And so, when Bodhidharma, walking ahead of his retinue, approached, everyone saw that he was walking in one shoe, the other was on his head.
The emperor and his retinue were shocked, but did not show it. Exchanging greetings, they looked at the shoe as if hypnotized. And Bodhidharma laughed.
It was inconvenient to talk about this in front of people, so when everyone had dispersed and they were left alone, the emperor asked:
- Tell me, please, why are you acting like a buffoon? Or are you making us fools? Why did you come in one shoe and bring the other on your head?
Bodhidharma laughed and said:
“Because I can’t help but laugh at myself.” That's the kind of person I am, I don't pay much attention to my head. The legs and the head are the same for me, the highest and the lowest have disappeared for me. Also, I would like to say that I don't care what people think of me. And I wish that from the very first moment of my arrival you know what kind of person you are dealing with.
The Emperor was silent for a while, apparently pondering what he had heard, then said:
“I have accomplished many pious deeds: I have built Buddhist monasteries throughout the country, thousands of monks are fed from my supplies, millions of Chinese have turned into Buddhists. Tell me, have I thus earned myself mercy in the next world?
Bodhidharma looked the emperor in the eyes and said:
- Your Majesty, there is no merit in this.
The emperor was greatly shocked as many monks and missionaries told him: “This will be your merit, you will reach the seventh heaven, build more, sacrifice more, convert the country to Buddhism.” And now this Bodhidharma comes and says that there is no merit in this.
But Emperor Bu was a very cultured man. He changed the subject and said:
“Then tell me something about the sacred truth of the Buddha.”
And Bodhidharma said:
- Nothing can be said about this, since it is limitless, and remember: holy, not holy - these are concepts of the dual mind; in nature there is no saint and no saint. Nature just exists!
It was too much! The emperor was very offended. After all, Bodhidharma denied even the holy truth of the Buddha! He forgot his politeness for a moment and exclaimed loudly:
“Then who is standing in front of me?”
Bodhidharma bowed and said:
- Your Majesty, I don’t know.
Not finding worthy disciples in China, Bodhidharma after some time retired to a remote monastery. This monastery has become a center of pilgrimage for many seekers.
Bodhidharma could be seen, but not in person. He sat in the hall, turning to the wall, declaring that he would not turn back until a worthy student came. He remained in this state for several years.
Many tried to claim the role of his student, but to no avail.
Finally, one appeared and declared himself a student. Bodhidharma was silent. The student pulled out a saber and cut off his finger. There was a commotion, and the student announced that if the Teacher did not turn to him, he would immediately commit suicide. Bodhidharma turned...
After nine years in China, Bodhidharma decided to return to India. He called his four disciples and said:
“Express the essence of the teaching in one statement, so that I can judge how you understood me.”
The first student said: “Compassion, I see the essence of the teaching in it.”
Bodhidharma said:
- You have my bones.
The second student said: “Be aware; It is this definition that reflects the main essence.”
Bodhidharma said:
- You have my flesh.
A third said: “The essence of the teaching cannot be expressed in words.”
Bodhidharma said:
“You have the marrow of my bones.”
He turned to the fourth. There were tears in the student's eyes, and he fell at the feet of the Teacher. Bodhidharma picked it up, shook it and asked the question again:
-What is the essence of religion?
The student was silent, and only tears flowed down his cheeks, tears of joy and gratitude. And not a single word. Bodhidharma hugged him and said:
- You have all of me! Now I will leave calmly, knowing that after me you will remain here.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru