Bodhidharma

American  

[boh-di-duhr-muh] / ˈboʊ dɪˈdʌr mə /

noun

1. died a.d. c530, Indian Buddhist philosopher and missionary: founder of Ch'an in China, which was later called Zen in Japan.

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Bodhidharma British  

/ ˌbəʊdɪˈdɑːmə, ˌbɒd- /

noun

1. 6th century _ad , Indian Buddhist monk, who taught in China (from 520): considered to be the founder of Zen Buddhism

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Example Sentences

Legend has it that around the 6th Century, Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma introduced these techniques to the Shaolin monks, influencing the more famous Chinese martial art.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2025

Studying Buddhism, I am a Shaolin disciple and there’s a Shaolin parable about Bodhidharma who migrated from India to China.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2024

In the 17th century, Isshi Bunshu painted a portrait of Daruma, or Bodhidharma, the Indian monk considered the founder of what became Zen, consisting of almost nothing but the great man’s robe in silhouette.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2024

Tradition has it that Chan was brought to China by Bodhidharma, a monk from India or central Asia.

From Washington Post • Dec. 31, 2014

Zen is the Japanese equivalent of Ch'an or Dhyâna and is the name given to the sect founded in China by Bodhidharma.

From Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3 by Eliot, Charles, Sir