One day, Emperor Wu talked with Bodhidharma about Buddhism. Wishing to impress Bodhidharma, the Emperor started to list all the Temples he had built for Buddhism and all the other donations he had made to this righteous religion.
However, Bodhidharma was not impressed and bluntly said so. Surprised by this reaction, the Emperor started to question Bodhidharma and when he asked Bodhidharma if there was Buddha in this world. Bodhidharma replied that there was not.
Bodhidharma’s replies were a reflection of Emperor Wu. By asking if his actions were good, Emperor Wu was searching for compliments and affirmation from Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma denied that Emperor Wu’s actions were good because it is the duty of the emperor to care for his people. Rather than seeking compliments, Emperor Wu should have been content to help his people through Buddha. Similarly, if one asks if there is Buddha in the world, then one has already answered the question: Buddha is a matter of faith, you either believe in your heart or you do not. In questioning the existence of Buddha, Emperor Wu had demonstrated a lack of faith.
In the Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall, the conversation was recorded as follows:
Emperor Wu: “How much karmic merit have I earned for ordaining Buddhist monks, building monasteries, having sutras copied, and commissioning Buddha images?”
Bodhidharma: “None. Good deeds done with worldly intent bring good karma, but no merit.”
Emperor Wu: “So what is the highest meaning of noble truth?”
Bodhidharma: “There is no noble truth, there is only emptiness.”
Emperor Wu: “Then, who is standing before me?”
Bodhidharma: “I know not, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Wu Di was not impressed by Bodhidharma’s reply, and therefore did not think highly of the teachings he had brought from India. Bodhidharma faced fierce skepticism and opposition when he first started to spread Buddhism in China, mainly due to his claim that the Buddhist texts were only guides for achieving enlightenment. Rather, he taught that enlightenment itself can only be attained by practicing dhyana, or cultivated states of mind which lead practitioners to a perfect state of awareness and equanimity. At that time in China, meditation was not generally practiced but the veneration of Buddhist texts was prevalent.
Bodhidharma’s answers enraged Emperor Wu and he ordered Bodhidharma to leave his palace and never return. Bodhidharma simply smiled, turned and left.
After Bodhidharma left, the Emperor asked the official in charge of the Imperial Annals about the encounter. The Official of the Annals then asked the Emperor if he still denied knowing who Bodhidharma was. When the Emperor said he didn't know, the Official said, "This was the Great-being Guanyin transmitting the imprint of the Buddha's Heart-Mind.
The Emperor regretted his having let Bodhidharma leave and was going to dispatch a messenger to go and beg Bodhidharma to return. The Official then said, "Your Highness, do not say to send out a messenger to go fetch him. The people of the entire nation could go, and he still would not returnSimilar Posts :
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