Bodhidharma's story, blending historical facts and legends, remains a cornerstone of Buddhist and martial arts traditions in Asia.
1
Bodhidharma was born as a prince in the Pallava dynasty in South India, around the 5th or 6th century.
2
Buddhism and is believed to have arrived in China around 520 AD during the Liang Dynasty.
3
Bodhidharma met with Emperor Wu of Liang, a devout Buddhist who had built many temples and supported the Buddhist clergy.
4
Bodhidharma travelled to the Shaolin Temple, located in the Song Mountains.
5
Bodhidharma is traditionally credited with teaching the monks exercises to strengthen their bodies, which evolved into Shaolin Kung Fu.
6
Bodhidharma's teachings emphasized the practice of meditation as the direct path to enlightenment.
7
Bodhidharma is revered as a patriarch of Chan Buddhism and a symbol of spiritual determination.