Master of Zen - Bodhidharma
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Original name of Da Mo Zu Shi 達摩祖師 {Hok Kian = Tat Mo Co Su} was Bodhi Dharma, born in South India from Brahma ethnic group. After becoming a Buddhist Monk, he diligently delved into Mahayana ideology. Dharma {Chinese = Da Mo}, Zu Shi = Master. Da Mo Zu Shi was the founder of 禪 Chan { Japan = Zen} ideology in Chinese Buddhism. He was also well-known with the name of Master Of Zen. Da Mo Zu Shi’s birthday is commemorated at the 3 rd day of 10 th month Chinese New Year (Imlek).
In the year 520 A.D., Bodhi Dharma left India & went to China (this time was the Six Dinasty era: 386-589 M). He arrived in Guang Zhou, and from here walked to Wei country (now Henan Province). He visited Shaolin Buddhist monastery {Hok Kian = Siao Lim Si} in Song Shan mountain. In this Buddhist monastery he delved into meditative knowledge of Chan ideology & taught it to the Buddhist monk there. This meditative knowledge then became the principles of spiritual force exercise, as a part of a famous Shaolin’s art of self-defense 少林功夫 {Siao Lim Kung Fu}. In this monastery, Hui Ke (later became the second Master of Chan ideology) who learnt from Da Mo Zu Shi. Interested to his sincerity, Da Mo Zu Shi submitted 4 rolls of Leng Jia Silk to Hui Ke, and said that the said silk is the most suitable for Chinese people.
Da Mo Zu Shi became a legend along with the development of Chan ideology. A very popular story was a conversation of Da Mo Zu Shi and Emperor Kaisar Liang Wu Di in Jin Ling (now Nan Jing). Liang Wu Di was a Buddhist Emperor who did many good deeds; built many temples, wrote holy books, made many Buddha Rupang & consecration of Buddhist monk. The Emperor proudly asked to Da Mo Zu Shi: “I have done many /meritorious works, how much does my benevolence?” Da Mo Zu Shi answered briefly “there is no benevolence!” Liang Wu Di was surprised and asked: “Why isn’t any benevolence?” Da Mo Zu Shi replied calmly: “What you did is a beneficial act, but those are not a true benevolence.” Liang Wu Di couldn’t understand the meaning of Da Mo Zu Shi’s answer.
Da Mo Zu Shi then left Liang country & crossed over Yang Zi River and entered into Wei country. The story of Da Mo Zu Shi crossing over Yang Zi River became a legend. It was said that Da Mo Zu Shi crossed over the said big river by using merely a blade of gelagah (wild sugarcane) grass. In era after that appeared many paintings describing the said scene.
Buddhist Mahayana which was brought by Da Mo Zu Shi from India into China was then got influence from original Chinese religion, namely Taoism and Confucianism. These were then called as Zen Buddhism, one of important sects in Mahayana Buddhism. Initially this Zen Buddhism (Dhyana/Meditation) was influenced by the teachings of Dao {Hok Kian: Taoism} and Kong Fu Zi {Confucianism}. However in its development, this Zen Buddhism influenced again Neo Confucianism which was established during Song Dynasty Song era (960-1279 A.D.).
