Life Of Lord BodhiDharman

For those who raise questions about my usage of "Lord" prefix to Bodhidharman name,the Answer comes from Hinduism religion.Yes, the Creator of "Buddism",Lord Gautama Buddha,Himself was born in an "Hindu"King's Family and I'm of a firm belief that he had formulated the Principles and Laws based on the "Hinduism"vedas.This can be proved  Quoting various quotes from a lots of ancient Books and Observations.One such Valid example would be that the arrival of "Lord Buddha" on the Hindu Sacred place of "Kasi" or "Varanasi".It was mentioned in many ancient books that "Gautama Buddha" has visited this Holy place and Prayed "Lord Visveshwarar" several times under several occassions in kasi.
O.k. This may get slightly bending away from my today's BlogPost ,but i just want to point you an fact here.

I wished to share about legends from India and so I have chose to "Lord Bodhidharman" as he is an "Tamilian"too.By now,many of you might have learnt something about the Life of "Lord Bodhidharman".There may be some myths or truths behind them.But ,below here, I have given Authentic informations which I've collected from Internet and confirmed thro' some Authentic Books on "Lord BodhiDharman".
I have highlighted a few important notes and facts for your convenience sake.I'm feeling very Happy on sharing on my blog and Plz do have the same while you share this with others too.

Lord Bodhidharma was the 28th patriarch of Buddhism (28th direct descendant of the historical Buddha) and the first patriarch of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism. He was an enlightened master who introduced Chan Buddhism to China and is known as the founding father of Shaolin Kung Fu.
Born as a prince in the southern Indian kingdom of Pallava at around 440 A.D., .He was born in Kanchipuram near Chennai in Tamil nadu,India.His real name was "Bodhitara", which was changed to "Bodhidharma"by His Guru,Prajnatara.

Bodhidharma was to follow in his father’s footsteps as king. In the midst of his education and training, Bodhidharma encountered the Buddha’s teachings. He immediately saw the truth in the doctrine of Buddhism and decided to give up his esteemed position and gifted princely life to become a monk and study with the legendary Buddhist master Prajnatara who was the 27th patriarch of Buddhism. Bodhidharma rapidly progressed in his Buddhist studies and in time became an enlightened master. Master Prajnatara instructed his disciple to travel to China and spread the Mahayana teachings of Chan Buddhism to the Chinese.

Lord Bodhidharma set off on his quest and after a brutal trek over Tibet's Himalayan Mountains, surviving both the extreme elements and treacherous bandits he finally arrived in China around 520 A.D. Upon the invitation of Emperor Liang Wu Ti, Bodhidharma went to Nanjing.
Emperor Wu Ti, a devout Buddhist himself, requested an audience with Bodhidharma.

The emperor was very fond of Buddhism and often wore Buddhist garments, ate vegetarian food and recited Buddhist prayers. Proud of his knowledge and contributions he had made towards the spreading of Buddhism, the emperor asked Bodhidharma

“Since I came to the throne, I have built many temples, published numerous scriptures and supported countless monks and nuns. How great is the merit in my deeds?”

“There is no merit in your deeds”,  replied Bodhidharma.

The emperor was confused and angered by his remark. He had failed to understand Bodhidharma’s statement, which meant that one is not really practicing the dharma (Buddha’s teachings) if one does good deeds only for selfish reasons. In the emperor’s case his actions were done for the intention of gaining fame and praise. Lord Bodhidharma was explaining that the self-centered desire and craving for merit and praise changed the nature of the emperor’s deeds.

After the conversation between the emperor and Bodhidharma, which was mutually unsatisfactory, Bodhidharma left the palace, crossed the Yang Rivertze, and continued north until he arrived at the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province.He was travelling across the River Yang using an "Reed",making people to believe that He is beyond what they had thought about Him.
Below is a portrait of "Lord Bodhidharman",travelling in a 'Reed',while crossing river Yang in China. 

When Bodhidharma saw the monks at the Shaolin Temple, he noticed that they were spiritually strong but physically weak due to long-term meditation practice. Bodhidharma informed them that he would teach them to cultivate their minds and bodies by a two-part program of meditation and physical training.

Legend has it that Bodhidharma meditated in a cave nearby, facing the wall for 9 years in seclusion. Upon reemerging, Bodhidharma created an efficient exercise program for the Shaolin monks that strengthened the body, and enabled application in self-defense. He developed a system of 18 dynamic tension exercises. These movements are known as the Yi Jin Jing, or Changing Muscle/Tendon Classic.

We know this system today as the 18 Lohan Qi Qong Movements - the basis of Shaolin Kung Fu. Through his teachings, the Shaolin Monks forged and developed over the centuries, what is today the most advanced and complete martial arts system the world has ever known. It was also said that"Lord Bodhidharma"was preaching "Indian Sutras",tranlated in chinese to his Disciples in China.This is also one of the reason,why I have been mentioning "Bodhidharman" as "Lord".
In Japan,he was called by name,"Taishi Daruma".He was the creator of many form of martial arts that has been existing in various countries in south-east asia.
More Myths Surrounds over the  last day of "Lord Bodhidharman".Many say he was said to have attained "Moksha",while on meditation and "His Soul" was disappeared and merged with the Air right in His Cave itself.

There's an interesting legend that 3 years after Bodhidharman died he met a Chinese official in central Asia. According to the legend, he told the official he was retuning to India and carrying a single shoe. The resulting controversy caused the monks to open Daruma's grave where only a single shoe was found. Whatever the actual facts are, this led to yet another popular depiction of Daruma as travelling with a single show in toe, as in the Qing Dynasty figure on the right.

The contributions Bodhidharma has made to the spreading of Buddhism in China and beyond are immeasurable. The Mahayana teaching of Chan Buddhism was quickly assimilated into Chinese culture and began to spread throughout the country. In the 12th century, Chan Buddhism spread to Japan and then in Korea. Today Chan Buddhism is strong and flourishing in countries all over the world.

Here, I would like to mention our legendary "Lord Bodhi Dharman" has travelled to many countries by walk ,as this is the mode of communication for most of the "sages" in the past,unlike our present age fraudulent "Godmans",who were always seen flying only thro' flights or cars for their "vijayams" or visits.O.K,I'm diverting away from our subject.Lord Bodhidharman has travelled several miles past India toVietnam,Thailand,Japan and Burma before he settles down in China to preach his preachings on Zen Buddhism.

Bodhi Dharman Quotes & Teachings:

The ignorant mind, with its infinite afflictions, passions, and evils, is rooted in the three poisons. Greed, anger and delusion. ~ Bodhi Dharma

Buddha means awareness, the awareness of body and mind that prevents evil from arising in either. ~ Bodhi Dharman

If you use your mind to study reality, you won't understand either your mind or reality. If you study reality without using your mind, you'll understand both. ~ Bodhidharma

A Buddha is someone who finds freedom in good fortune and bad. ~ Bodhidharma

All the suffering and joy we experience depend on conditions. ~ Bodhi Dharman

so far I have shared some valid and known facts on the Life of "Lord Bodhidharman",who hailed from our very own country,India.When it comes upon knowing he is an Indian by origin,it just makes us all feel up above the "sky",isn't it?.So,be proud and Happy to share about this "Legendary Hero" with ur friends and families.By this way we shall pay our Belated Tribute to our  Legend "Lord Bodhidharman".