Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th/ 6th century CE. He is traditionally credited as the transmitter of Ch’an (Sanskrit: Dhyana, Japanese: Zen) to China, and regarded as its first Chinese patriarch. According to Chinese legend, he also began the physical training of the Shaolin monks that led to the creation of Shaolinquan
According to legend Bodhidharma failed to make a favorable impression in Southern China and is said to have travelled to the northern Chinese kingdom of Wei to the Shaolin Monastery. After either being refused entry to the shaolin temple or being ejected after a short time, he lived in a nearby cave, where he “faced a wall for nine years, not speaking for the entire time”
In one version of the story, he is said to have fallen asleep seven years into his nine years of wall-gazing. Becoming angry with himself, he cut off his eyelids to prevent it from happening again. According to the legend, as his eyelids hit the floor the first tea plants sprang up; and thereafter tea would provide a stimulant to help keep students of Chán awake during meditation. This is why Daruma dolls have wide open eyes.
The most popular legend relates that Bodhidharma was admitted into the Shaolin temple after nine years in the cave and taught there for some time. However, other versions report that he “passed away, seated upright” or that he disappeared, leaving behind the Yi Jin Jing or that his legs atrophied after nine years of sitting. This is why Japanese Bodhidharma dolls have no legs.
Many famous quotes are attributed to the Bodhidharma. This is one of my favorites
“Nana korobi ya oki” 七転び八起き meaning “Fall Down Seven, Get Up Eight”.