Bodhidharma

[Malik]

BODHIDHARMA sat facing a wall for nine years of meditation. At one
time a Confucian monk came to him for teaching. But Bodhidharma
sat unmoving and unspeaking for seven days and nights, while the
monk pleaded for his attention. Finally the monk could stand no
more, and to show his sincerity, he took a great sword, cut off
his arm, and carried it to Bodhidharma.

He said: "Here is a token of my sincerity. I have been seeking
peace for my soul for many years, and I know that you can show me
how to find it."

Bodhidharma said, "Do not bring me your arm. Bring me your soul,
so I can give it peace as you request.

"But that is the very trouble," said the monk,

"I cannot grasp my soul or find it, much less bring it to you.

"You see," said Bodhidharma, "I have given you peace of soul."

[Trevor Salyzyn]

What a maroon! What an ignoranimous!

[Dan Rowden]

BODHIDHARMA sat facing a wall for nine years of meditation.

That's what I hate about Buddhist parables - they always contain some detail that is totally ridiculous.

[Malik]

BODHIDHARMA sat facing a wall for nine years of meditation.

That's what I hate about Buddhist parables - they always contain some detail that is totally ridiculous.

Westerners always wish to verify what is true, and what is not true.

If I said on the day of Karballah the sky rained blood because of the death of Husayn.

Its not supposed to be a fact, its supposed to be a symbol. Its supposed to give you a deeper understanding so you can see the significance of an event through exaggeration, poetry etc, etc, etc.

[Dan Rowden]

Yes, I understand the use of such devices and they have their place. However, it seems meaningless in the context of that story, and it's also a concern that a great many Buddhists do not consider such devices to be metaphorical or figurative.

[paco]

BODHIDHARMA sat facing a wall for nine years of meditation. At one
time a Confucian monk came to him for teaching. But Bodhidharma
sat unmoving and unspeaking for seven days and nights, while the
monk pleaded for his attention. Finally the monk could stand no
more, and to show his sincerity, he took a great sword, cut off
his arm, and carried it to Bodhidharma.

He said: "Here is a token of my sincerity. I have been seeking
peace for my soul for many years, and I know that you can show me
how to find it."

Bodhidharma said, "Do not bring me your arm. Bring me your soul,
so I can give it peace as you request.

"But that is the very trouble," said the monk,

"I cannot grasp my soul or find it, much less bring it to you.

"You see," said Bodhidharma, "I have given you peace of soul."

What??? Why did his soul leave him? Maybe he needed some soul food! You know, like fish! They always need to eat or theyll stare at you for hours...sheesh