菩提達磨尊者

中國禪宗初祖。南天竺人,慈仁高智,梁武帝時由印度泛海至廣州,與帝語不相契,遂於嵩山少林寺面壁坐禪九年。後將心印授慧可大師,禪法自此傳於東土。

Bodhidharma

Bodhidharma was the first Chan patriarch of China. Hailing from southern India, he was known for his great compassion and supreme wisdom. Traveling to Guangzhou, China during the Northern and Southern dynasties(220~589A.D.), he arrived in the country of Liang to seek an audience with the ruler, Emperor Wu.

When the Emperor did not understand his teaching, Bodhidharma traveled northward to Shaolin Monastery and cultivated by facing a wall for nine years. Eventually, he found a suitable disciple in Huike, to whom he imparted the mind-seal, formal recognition signifying a disciple had realized the true Dharma. Thus, the Chan lineage was transmitted to China.