Bodhidharma is the legendary Zen master who is believed to be the founder of the Zen sect. It has been said that he was born as the prince of a kingdom of south india and spreaded the teaching of Zen Buddhism in China in the 6th century.
This newly elected statue of Bodhidharma is a gift sent to Kencho-ji temple as a token of friendship by Shaolin Monastery of China. In this Shaolin Monastery, Bodhidharma continued to sit and meditate (Zazen) before a stone wall for nine years to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
The stern and fiery expression of this Bodhidharma image appears just about to shout angrily at us ("Katsu" in Zen) so as to awaken us from spiritual darkness.
2 comments:
Thank you for sharing this fascinating piece about the Bodhidharma statue at Kencho-ji Temple. The details you provided about its history and spiritual significance were truly enlightening. I felt inspired by the connection between Bodhidharma’s teachings and the enduring presence of this statue as a symbol of Zen wisdom. Your post beautifully captures the essence of his legacy and the serene atmosphere of the temple. Grateful for the opportunity to learn and reflect—this was a wonderful read!
Regards,
Antique Buddhas
https://www.buddhashop.net
Thank you for your comment, which is a great encouragement to me.
I am glad to know that my photos and texts have been helpful to you.
Thank you again.
With best regards,
Kunihiko
From the garden of zen
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