Zen Buddhism Chinese Brush Painting of Da Mo

A Chinese brush painting of Zen Buddhism founder Da Mo. In Japan he is known as Bodai Daruma or just Daruma. The smaller Chinese calligraphy characters at the upper left of this painting say "Da Mo crossed the Yangtze River."

The other larger Chinese characters written at the top center mean "Da Mo crossed the river to carry forth Zen Buddhism. Da Mo spent nine years gazing at the cave wall in very deep meditation and attained total enlightenment. So fierce was his gaze that the cave wall still bears the imprint of his gaze."

Da Mo is a very important figure in Chinese culture, Buddhism and martial arts, he is known by many names in different countries. Some of the names Da Mo is known by are; Bodhitara, Bodhidharma, Bodhisattva, Ta Mo, Bodai Daruma, Daruma, P'u-t'i Ta Mo, Da Mo and Te Mao. However, he is also known by many other names in different countries, languages and dialects in which his name is spoken.

Da Mo is considered the founder of martial arts in China, which he introduced along with the teaching of Zen Buddhism. Da Mo is credited with creating the eighteen hand and foot positions (eighteen hands of Buddha) that evolved into Kung Fu and countless other martial arts forms.

Although martial arts were believed to have been practiced in China before the arrival of Da Mo, most people still consider him to be the founder of Chinese martial arts. This is a fitting tribute to his popularity and contribution to the teaching of martial arts and Zen Buddhism.

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