As Chinese interest in Buddhism grew, a need for texts was established. Buddhism slowly flourished in China as new texts were brought into the country and translated, becoming available to practitioners. By the seventh century, different schools of Buddhism arose in China. The two most prominent schools were the Chan and the Pure Land schools. Chan Buddhism would come to be known in the West and Japan as Zen Buddhism. Both Chan and Zen mean “meditation.”

Bodhidharma Enters China

Early in the sixth century C.E., Emperor Wu of China was a devout student of Buddhism. He had built many temples, translated many sutras, and considered himself well versed in the teachings of the Buddha. When he heard that Bodhidharma, a renowned Buddhist monk, had arrived in China, he requested a meeting with the Indian monastic. In reference to the great works he had done in the service of Buddhism through the construction of monasteries and translation of core texts, Emperor Wu asked Bodhidharma, “What merit have I accumulated for all my good to Buddhism?”

“None,” Bodhidharma replied.

Emperor Wu was shocked; this contradicted everything that Emperor Wu thought he knew about Buddhism. It was a common belief that good deeds developed merit points. Giving food to a mendicant monk was considered good karma and insurance for a good rebirth, especially if the monk you gave to was a good student. Wu considered himself knowledgeable about Buddhism and wanted to engage Bodhidharma in conversation. He became defensive and decided to test the newcomer. “What is the meaning of enlightenment?” he asked.

“Vast emptiness, nothing sacred,” Bodhidharma said.

This, too, must have confused the great emperor. This was not in line with his beliefs and he did not understand what it meant. Emperor Wu then asked in frustration, “Who are you?”

And Bodhidharma replied, “I don't know.”

Emperor Wu did not understand what Bodhidharma was telling him. Bodhidharma symbolizes a serious commitment to meditation practice and the concept of emptiness. He was the founder of Chan in China. The Chan school of Buddhism endeavored to keep Buddhism simple. It included none of the bells and whistles of the Vajrayana, but at its heart was the desire to get down to basics. Chan Buddhism promotes the belief that meditation is the direct route to enlightenment — and with meditation, buddhanature is revealed.

Bodhidharma left the frustrated emperor and made his way up the mountains to Shaolin. It was here in a small cave that he meditated for nine years straight, facing a blank wall. Legend has it that he became frustrated with himself for falling asleep, so he cut off his eyelids to ensure he didn't fall asleep again. Artworks depicting Bodhidharma often show him with eyes wide open.

Bodhidharma became the first Chinese patriarch, starting a transmission of Chan from one person to another, from mind to mind, until the present day, just as the Buddha passed the teachings so many years before.