Bodhidharma

[ngokfei]

Since Shaolin is the basis for many styles taught today, I've kind of developed an interest in who he was and what he taught (MA/Chan). A friend of mine sent me the following books which I think you all would like.

"The Bodhidharma Anthology - The Earliest Records of Zen" - Jefferey L. Broughton
ISBN 0-52-021972-4.

This is a translation of one of the 100's of scrolls found from the Tang dynasty that were found hidden in the Mo-Kao Grottoes of Northwest China in the town of Tun Huang.

"Zen Buddhism: A History" Heinrich Dumoulin
ISBN 0-02-908260-9

A two volume set (India & CHina) & (Japan & Tibet). Good overall information on Buddhism and Bodhidharma.

"Daruma: The Founder of Zen in Japanese Art and Popular Culture" - H. Neill McFarland
ISBN 0-87011-817-X

Starndard Biography but has alot of Statues, Paintings which are quite unique. Especially the one of him in a "House of Pleasure". P24/


Do any of you have any additional books you would recommend?

eric Hargrove
ngokfei@juno.com

[Kung Lek]

Hi-

Buddhism in China a historical survey -
author - Chen

also, visit http://hsuyun.org for information that you will maybe find interesting.
They do have downloadable documents that make for a good read.

peace

Kung Lek

[beiquan]

there's a translation of a few of Bodhidharma's writings that I used to have - the name escapes me but I remember that the translator's name was "Red Pine" -- catchy name.

Also, the book "Bodhisattva Warriors" is a pretty interesting look at the roots of some of the Chinese/Japanese MA traditions in Indian Buddhism.

there's also a great movie called "Master of Zen", directed by and starring one of Yuen Woo Ping's brothers (who I believe is actually a monk now), depicting the classic story of Bodhidharma. obviously not worthwhile from a research standpoint but it's very entertaining and not really too cheesy for an HK flick.

[GeneChing]

Red Pine's book is The Zen Teachings of Bodhidharma, if memory serves. Red Pine is a pen name - he wrote another fantastic book about meetings with Chinese Hermits under his given name, but that title escapes me. It'll come to me eventually...

Transmissions of the Lamp (or Light) is another really important book to add. There are many translations of this - it is an important Zen text.

Tales of the Shaolin Monastery has a few folk tales of Tamo. It's entertaining in general.

ngokfei: All excellent recommendations - I heartily concur.

beiquan: I thought Bodhisattva Warriors was a really odd read, not one of my favorites. And Master of Zen was totally cheesy, maybe not so of HK, but definately cheesy, especially the way Huike was depicted as so psycho. ;)

Gene Ching
Asst. Publisher
Kungfu Qigong Magazine & www.KUNGFUmagazine.com

[GeneChing]

Ever remember something in the middle of the night? That was Red Pine's other book, which I highly recommend despite being off topic (Shaolin is mentioned but in an unflattering way.)

Gene Ching
Asst. Publisher
Kungfu Qigong Magazine & www.KUNGFUmagazine.com

[ngokfei]

Thanks for the sources. "road to heaven" is a really great book, gets you really thinking. yeah the snip about shaolin is kind of a slap.

Here's some of my other recommendations: Just got them in the Mail. Kindof cool working for a Publishing Co. Great Discounts on books. Can't Wait to see what Kodansha has.

China "empire and Civilization" E. Shaughnessy - oxford University Press 0195216628. Worked for them recently, great intro to china.

Chinese Gods - Keith Stevens1850284091. Got this in HK. Excellent Source book for identifying all those different temple gods, demons and dieties.

A Dictionary of Asian Mythology - David Leeming
0195120531

A Practical Guide to Budhist Meditation - Paramananda - 0760721793

Profound Wisdom of the Hearth Sutra - Bokar Rinpoche Khemp Donyo - 0963037137

This Wisdom of theBuddha - Abrams Discoveries - 0810928078 (great info and old paintins and statures form India's past)

The Little Book of Zen - Barnes & Noble - 0760724938 - (Haiku, Koans, etc). Still new to me but the japanese paintings are really pretty.

The Training of a Zen Budhist Monk - D. Suzuki
0804830428 (What we've all been missing?)

What the Buddha Taught (W. Rahula) - 0802130313

Manual of Zen Buddhism (D.T. Suzuki) 0802130658

Sacred Writtings Vol 6. buddhism(The Dhammapada)
Book of the Month Club.

got to read these now. :eek:

eric Hargrove
ngokfei@juno.com

[GeneChing]

Not even a book really, but kind of cool.

Unusual flat-pack daruma voted Japan’s most fascinating souvenir
Oona McGee 11 hours ago




If you’re looking for a unique Japanese gift that’s light in your luggage but heavy in tradition, then this is the item for you. It’s called the KD Daruma (Knock-Down Daruma) and it’s modelled on the centuries-old, round, good-luck talisman which symbolises Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. This modern take on the daruma features a flat-pack design and clever assembly so unusual it’s just been awarded first prize as Japan’s most fascinating souvenir in a competition held by the Japan Tourism Agency. We take a closer look at the details to see what makes this little novelty so charming.



Three local companies in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, worked together to form “occS”, which released the product in July last year. Takasaki is renowned throughout Japan as the largest producer of daruma dolls, which are traditionally made from paper mâché and then painted a vivid shade of red. The city is even home to the famous Shōrinzan, otherwise known as the ”daruma temple,” where it’s claimed the first dolls originated in the late 17th Century.



The KD Daruma comes in two versions: plywood or cardboard. The plywood model, at 3,990 yen (US$38.84) is sturdier and lighter in colour than the cardboard version, priced at 1,890 yen (US$18.40). Both versions are assembled with flat pieces created by a laser cutter.



In keeping with the country’s efforts to promote “cool Japan” to the world, the packaging is simple and modern, with details and instructions printed in both Japanese and English.



The design even allows you to use the doll as it’s traditionally intended: by giving it one black eye with paint or a marker as you wish for success at the beginning of a venture. Once the goal has been realised, the other eye can be painted on. Cardboard makes a great surface on which to draw eyes!



On sale online through Amazon Japan, this piece of industrial art manages to exude a zen-like tranquility with its negative space and simplicity. It’s a surprisingly perfect blend of modern and traditional Japan in one easy-to-handle package!

[YMAA_com]

I love the Red Pine book:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Zen-Teachi.../dp/0865473994

It is transcriptions of Bodhidharma speaking to the monks. He is a total bad ass, and the sermons are just as valid and pertinent today as then.

And also highly recommend all the books on Chan/Zen by Huai-Chin Nan:
http://www.amazon.com/Huai-Chin-Nan/...3532098&sr=1-4

[David Jamieson]

This is important to Zen.

http://holybooks.lichtenbergpress.ne...ayana-Text.pdf

[Vajramusti]

[QUOTE=YMAA_com;1262589]I love the Red Pine book:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Zen-Teachi.../dp/0865473994
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I do too. The first sermon- Outline of Practice- has the most original sanskritic flavor reflecting the Indian origin of
the Bodhidharma.


The Lankavatara sutra was supposedly Bodhidharma's favorite. But the Outline of practice is so elegant, simple and a clear example of zen.

"Zen", "Chan" and "Dhyan" are simply Japanese, Chinese and Indian terms for the same thing.


Some of Suzuki's notes shows that while he translates well his understanding is nowhere near that of Dogen.


joyotpaul chaudhuri

[GeneChing]

FELL DOWN

This is totally OT but I have a soft spot for Miike films.

[The Willow Sword]

DA MO (whose last name was Sardili) and who was also known as Bodhidarma, was once a prince of a small tribe in Southern India. He was of the Mahayana school of Buddhism, and was considered by many to be a Bodhisattva,or an enlightened being who renounced nirvana in order to Save others. From the fragments of historical records it is believed he was born about 483ad. IT is believed that DaMo was the second Indian Priest to be invited to China. DA MO was invited to china by emperor LIang in 527Ad. The emporer decided that he did not like DA Mo's teachings and threw him out and Da mo retreated to the Shaolin Temple. He saw that the Monks there were weak and sickly and could not stay awake during the meditation session he held. DA Mo retreated to a cave up the mpountain side from the Temple and stayed thier for nine years and during that time he created the yi gin ching muscle/tendon changing excersises.

this excerpt was edited by me and comes from the book that Dr Yang Jwing Ming wrote on the subject. NOW here is my take on this:

From All accounts Da Mo was NOT a myth, he was a real person who actually exisited. argueing this point is just like argueing that jesus was a myth and we have the bible and old hebrewic texts to prove otherwise. NOW: here is where i get confused: 495ad is when the shaolin temple was built,,DA Mo was born around 483a.d.,, he came to the temple in 527ad. that makes him 44 yrs old when he came to shaolin temple. That means that the shaolin temple was only open for 32 yrs from the time it was built to the time DA Mo came there. Plus the records indicate thatthe monks were weak and sickly and could not meditate properly. THEN HOW ON EARTH WAS THERE MARTIAL ARTS BEING STUDIED THERE AT THIS BEGINNING? given these dates, i conclude that the Shaolin Temple was a Buddhist order studying Buddhism and not fighting..when Da mo came and taught the excercises and the fist and palm sets, THAT IS WHEN THE MARTIAL WAYS STARTED HAPPENING AT THE TEMPLE. remember that DA mo was unorthodox in his teachings and he fought when he had to.
to say that there was martial arts already at the temple at the time of his arrival is BS. There was not. This supports my theory that the temple became a military training center for the emperors army. we have heard the tales of the temple being destroyed several times in its history due to tyranny and new regimes,,this also supports the theory that the temple was a military training center for the emperors. as for the buddhism taught there. i believe that at first it was buddhism but them the TAoist influence took over and the temple became Taosit like all the rest with some buddhist influence. Remember that Buddhism renounces violence of any form, there is no foot notes below those doctrines that say oh yeah you can fight if this happens. All the other Budhhist temples in the world have NO FIGHTING OR MARTIAL PROGRAM AT ALL IN THEM. I believe that DA Mo is the Father of shaolin kungfu. all things afterwards developed a and were subsequently ABSORBED AND ADOPTED INTO THE FIGHTING CURRICULUM at Shaolin.
so here it is lets discuss this: Hope GENE gets in on this thread.
Many respects,,Willow Sword

Whatever you think i am or want me to be,,, i am.
oh and,,,Jesus loves you, everyone else thinks you are an a$.

[Crimson Phoenix]

Indeed, Dr Yang has always pointed that in his opinion, Damo never brought any gong fu to Shaolin (he also doubt Damo ever had true martial skills)...he "just" brought the two well known classics to the monks which seemed to have a poor health since they focused on training the mind while leaving physical training aside...
An increasing number of reknowned practicionners of or historians (Adam Hsu, Kang Ge Wu, and many more) now believe that Shaolin absorbed techniques from all over the place (mainly laymen seeking temporary shelter) and never had a style of their own (except cudgel play and staff techniques, some say)...
Very interesting topic indeed...

[Daelomin]

Of course there could have been martial arts in shaolin before Tamo, its just that the majority of monks did not practice it and thus were in bad shape. I think it is very likely that there were people who knew martial arts in the tempel before Tamo came there, but it just wasn´t that popular (because of shaolin being a buddhist order). I think that many former soldiers was present at shaolin at this time and had some skills in combat. I belive that Tamo brought qigong to shaolin and that way raised the martial arts there to another level, the internal level. Eventually martial arts became more popular within the monks and the former soldiers started to teach the other monks and the martial art skills from the battlefield mixed with Tamos qigong and became shaolin kung fu. Tamo was a man of peace, a buddhist, he didn´t know martial arts. I think that martial arts came to the temple with former soldiers, not with a holy man.

[r.(shaolin)]

First of all Hsu and Kang Ge Wu are not coming from the same place. Hsu has no academic credentials.
He's been grinding that same ax for years – that Shaolin martial art, as as such, did not exist. This is coming from someone who does not practice S haolin martial arts : - ) Hsu's basic point has been that Shaolin martial arts were from " mainly laymen seeking temporary shelter." It is now as it was then, an uniformed opinion and one with which I strongly disagree with.
Professor Kang Gewu on the oth er hand has academic credentials. Everything I've read he's written, is very supportive of the existence of Shaolin martial arts methods and their existence. The Shaolin Monastery is unique in that it had Imperial right to train in military methods. Although most weapons methods were brought in from outside these were not accepted in an arbitrary or indiscriminate way but there were evaluated for effectiveness, were redesign to comply to Shaolin martial arts fundamentals and generally were sy nthesized. To say that because the majority of martial methods at Shaolin were not the original creations of Shaolin monks it therefore did not have its own martial 'style'; is nonsensical.
amm.