History
| Bodhidharma (Ta-Mo) |
Bodhidharma, more commonly known as Ta-Mo, was the founder of Ch'an Buddhism in
China. Ta-Mo was born into a Brahman family in southern India. After he became a Buddhist
monk, Ta-Mo was totally engrossed in Mahayana Buddhism. He claimed to be the
twenty-eighth generation disciple of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. Ta-Mo arrived in
Kwongchou (City of Canton), in southern China in the year 527 A.D.
After he crossed the Yangtze River, Ta-Mo learned from the people he met that the Northern
Wei emperor, How Ming-Ti (516 A.D. - 527 A.D.), was also a Buddhist follower and that
Shao Lum Gee, located on Ng Yu Fung, would be a suitable place for him to visit. Pui-Tai
Ta-Mo arrived at Shao Sit San (the western range of Sung Mountain) and went up Ng Yu
Fung (Five Nipples Peak). However, about half way up, it started to rain. Ta-Mo decided to
go down, but the rain was getting heavier. Suddenly he raised his head, saw a cave in front of
him and went inside. After the rain stopped a rainbow appeared. Ta-Mo went further into the
cave, sat down facing the wall and began to meditate. From that day forward, Bodhidharma
would remain in this cave for nine years practicing his form of Buddhism known as Mahayana
Ch'an. This form of Buddhism puts an emphasis on: 1) silent awakening, 2) wall gazing, 3)
emptying all unnecessary thoughts, and 4) perceiving man's nature or attaining Buddha nature.
Ta-Mo is recognized as the Founder of Ch'an Buddhism in China.
China. Ta-Mo was born into a Brahman family in southern India. After he became a Buddhist
monk, Ta-Mo was totally engrossed in Mahayana Buddhism. He claimed to be the
twenty-eighth generation disciple of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. Ta-Mo arrived in
Kwongchou (City of Canton), in southern China in the year 527 A.D.
After he crossed the Yangtze River, Ta-Mo learned from the people he met that the Northern
Wei emperor, How Ming-Ti (516 A.D. - 527 A.D.), was also a Buddhist follower and that
Shao Lum Gee, located on Ng Yu Fung, would be a suitable place for him to visit. Pui-Tai
Ta-Mo arrived at Shao Sit San (the western range of Sung Mountain) and went up Ng Yu
Fung (Five Nipples Peak). However, about half way up, it started to rain. Ta-Mo decided to
go down, but the rain was getting heavier. Suddenly he raised his head, saw a cave in front of
him and went inside. After the rain stopped a rainbow appeared. Ta-Mo went further into the
cave, sat down facing the wall and began to meditate. From that day forward, Bodhidharma
would remain in this cave for nine years practicing his form of Buddhism known as Mahayana
Ch'an. This form of Buddhism puts an emphasis on: 1) silent awakening, 2) wall gazing, 3)
emptying all unnecessary thoughts, and 4) perceiving man's nature or attaining Buddha nature.
Ta-Mo is recognized as the Founder of Ch'an Buddhism in China.
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