Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk who lived around the 5th and 6th centuries CE. In China, he is referred to as Putidamo (or just Damo), and as Daruma in Japan. Much of the information that has been accumulated on Bodhidharma comes largely from legends, while historical sources are nonexistent. He is credited with the establishment of Zen Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that focuses primarily on self-awareness meditation.
His nationality and age are up for debate, as some legends state he lived to 150, while others state that he was much younger. He is either of Persian or South Indian nationality. Bodhidharma's first biography was written by a Chinese monk by the name of Daoxuan in the 7th century CE. Bodhidharma is largely credited with the teaching that meditation is a return to the precepts of Buddha. Legends also state that he aided the Shaolin monks, helping them with meditation and martial training. He is credited as the first patriarch of the tradition of dhyana, which is the Sanskrit word for meditation. Additionally, he is painted as a figure with a direct lineage to the Buddha, being the 28th patriarch of Buddhism.
