School: Early Chan | 500-535 | Teacher: Prajnatara | Students: Huike, Daoyu
First Patriarch of Chan and traditionally the 28th Indian patriarch. Born as a prince in southern India, possibly of the Pallava dynasty. Arrived in China c. 520, reportedly met Emperor Wu of Liang who asked about the merit of his works; Bodhidharma replied 'no merit.' Settled at Shaolin Temple on Mount Song, where tradition says he sat in wall-gazing meditation (壁觀) for nine years. His teaching emphasized direct transmission outside scriptures. Named Huike his dharma heir after Huike demonstrated wordless understanding.
References: Wikipedia | 中文维基 | Terebess | Britannica | Encyclopedia of Buddhism | Baidu | CBETA (少室六門 T2009) | Stanford (Chan Buddhism)
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