282 - Sacred Encounters with Bodhidharma

Preface – Sacred Encounters with Bodhidharma

In early Oct. 2020, at the studio on the 2nd floor of the True Buddha Foundation Offices in Seattle, Washington, USA, I ended up painting 10 portraits of Bodhidharma. At first, I only intended to paint one. But Master Lianzu in Indonesia got wind of the portraits, and immediately requested one. Later, Master Lianseng also wanted one. Master Lianman asked for the 3rd, and Master Lianchuan asked for the 4th. There were also requests for portraits 5, 6, 7 and 8. Reverend Lianyun got the 9th, and Reverend Lily got the 10th.

Requests for Bodhidharma’s portrait were so nonstop that I had to say, “Pause!” What I meant was, “I am more than happy to paint Bodhidharma’s portrait, but painting it day after day gets tiring. It’s about time to let me paint something different for a change. Otherwise, my mind will be solely occupied with Bodhidharma!” Finally, requests for Bodhidharma's portrait came to an end.

Needlessto say, Bodhidharma was deeply imprinted in my mind, and I found myself unable to forget him. I was intrigued by his thick eyebrows, large eyes, fullforehead, long beard, and especially his perceptive eyes that seemed to see through all worldly phenomena. I was lost.

Then one day, I encountered Bodhidharma in the Realm of Heavens and the Great Beyond. I recognized him at first glance. Bodhidharma, the Patriarch of Zen, the 28th Patriarch of the West Regions, and 1st Patriarch of the East. He was flying before me like a swallow swooping into the forest! I was flying behind him like a shooting star chasing the moon!

Hesaid, “Follow me!”

Ireplied, “Of course!”

Bodhidharma carried himself with effortless grace. He was not poised to cross a river on a reed, nor riding a cloud while seated on a lotus, nor soaring like a Garuda. He was just simply natural.

He took me to a cave where I immediately felt right at home. Bodhidharma said,“This was the Venerable Sariputra’s cave on Vulture Peak.”

I replied, “Yes.”

“Originally, I wanted to take you to a cave on Shaoshi Mountain where I meditated facing a wall for nine years. But later, I felt it would be more meaningful to bring you to Sariputra’s cave.”

“How are the caves different?” “Actually, they are not different. I just wanted you to return to yourself, and enlighten you that everything is just a dream, an illusion, like bubbles or shadows. To help you realize one must let go of attachments and go beyond delusion.”

“Thank you, Bodhidharma!”

This book contains nothing but dialogues between myself and Bodhidharma, with Zeninsights woven throughout. May this book enrich your mind!

          Living Buddha Lian Sheng contact information:

          Sheng-Yen Lu

          17102 NE 40th Ct.,

          Redmond WA 98052

          U.S.A.

          Dec. 2020