Bodhidharma was an Indian Buddhist monk who traveled from India to China in the 5th century AD and propagated Mahayana Buddhism in China, which in China came to be known as Chan Buddhism. The Chinese also renamed him Da’mo or Ta’mo. This form of Buddhism has virtually died out in both countries, but is practiced today in Japan as Zen Buddhism, and where Bodhidharma is known as Daruma. In certain circles Bodhidharma is considered a myth.
Bodhidharma is also considered the “Father of the Martial Arts” by Japanese and Chinese Kung-Fu experts. He is still revered after many centuries at the Shaolin Temple, which is the mecca for martial artists from around the world.
