Who is Bodhidharma?

Who is Bodhidharma?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight May 29, 2026 Duration: 18:34

Bright on Buddhism - Episode 140 - Who is Bodhidharma? What is his significance to East Asian Buddhism? What are some legends about him?

Resources: charya, Raghu (2017), Shanon, Sidharth (ed.), Bodhidharma Retold – A Journey from Sailum to Shaolin, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-4152-9

Broughton, Jeffrey L. (1999), The Bodhidharma Anthology: The Earliest Records of Zen, Berkeley: University of California Press, ISBN 0-520-21972-4

Buswell, Robert E., ed. (2004), Encyclopedia of Buddhism, vol. 1, Macmillan, ISBN 0-02-865718-7

Cole, Alan (2009), Fathering Your Father: The Zen of Fabrication in Tang Buddhism, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: University of California Press, ISBN 978-0-520-25485-5

Dumoulin, Heinrich; Heisig, James; Knitter, Paul F. (2005). Zen Buddhism: India and China. World Wisdom, Inc. ISBN 978-0-941532-89-1.

Faure, Bernard (1986), "Bodhidharma as Textual and Religious Paradigm", History of Religions, 25 (3): 187–198, doi:10.1086/463039, S2CID 145809479, archived from the original on 2007-09-28, retrieved 2007-02-13

Ferguson, Andrew (2000), Zen's Chinese Heritage: The Masters and their Teachings, Somerville: Wisdom Publications, ISBN 0-86171-163-7

Garfinkel, Perry (2006), Buddha or Bust, Harmony Books, ISBN 978-1-4000-8217-9

Henning, Stanley (1994), "Ignorance, Legend and Taijiquan" (PDF), Journal of the Chenstyle Taijiquan Research Association of Hawaii, 2 (3): 1–7, archived from the original on 2011-02-23, retrieved 2019-10-19

Henning, Stan; Green, Tom (2001), "Folklore in the Martial Arts", in Green, Thomas A. (ed.), Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia, Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO

Jorgensen, John (2000), "Bodhidharma", in Johnston, William M. (ed.), Encyclopedia of Monasticism: A-L, Taylor & Francis

Kambe, Tstuomu (2012), Bodhidharma. A collection of stories from Chinese literature (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-11-06, retrieved 2011-11-23

McRae, John R. (2000), "The Antecedents of Encounter Dialogue in Chinese Ch'an Buddhism", in Heine, Steven; Wright, Dale S. (eds.), The Kōan: Texts and Contexts in Zen Buddhism, Oxford University Press, archived from the original on 2012-07-25, retrieved 2006-11-30.

McRae, John R. (2003), Seeing Through Zen. Encounter, Transformation, and Genealogy in Chinese Chan Buddhism, The University Press Group Ltd, ISBN 978-0-520-23798-8

McRae, John R. (2004), Seeing through Zen: Encounter, Transformation, and Genealogy in Chinese Chan Buddhism, University of California Press

Pine, Red, ed. (1989), The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma: A Bilingual Edition, New York: North Point Press, ISBN 0-86547-399-4

Pine, Red, ed. (2009), The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, ISBN 978-0-86547-399-7

Sekida, Katsuki (1996). Two Zen Classics. Mumonkan, The Gateless Gate. Hekiganroku, The Blue Cliff Records. Translated with commentaries by Katsuki Sekida. New York / Tokyo: Weatherhill.

Shahar, Meir (2008). The Shaolin Monastery: history, religion, and the Chinese martial arts. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-3110-3.

Sutton, Florin Giripescu (1991), Existence and Enlightenment in the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra: A Study in the Ontology and Epistemology of the Yogācāra School of Mahāyāna Buddhism, Albany: State University of New York Press, ISBN 0-7914-0172-3.

Williams, Paul (1989), Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations, Psychology Press, ISBN 0-415-02537-0

_________________________________

If you like our show and would like to support us, we encourage you to give your money or resources to a worthy cause. We can get through this. Our strongest weapon is solidarity. Stay strong and help where you can. Thank you.

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com.

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Revisit - What are the fundamental beliefs of Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:35
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 134 - Revisit - What are the fundamental beliefs of Buddhism? Does Buddhism have an afterlife? Does Buddhism have a bible like Christianity?Resources:Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated G…
Research Project Series - Yōkai [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:57
Bright on Buddhism - Research Project Series - YōkaiResources: Foster, Michael Dylan (2009). Pandemonium and Parade: Japanese Monsters and the Culture of Yōkai. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-25361-2.Hiro…
Who was Daosheng? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:54
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 133 - Who was Daosheng? What did he do? What is his significance to East Asian Buddhism?Resources: Blum, Mark (2003). "Daosheng". In Buswell, Robert E. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Buddhism. New Yo…
Avatamsaka Sutra Book 8 - The Four Holy Truths [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:47
Bright on Buddhism - Avatamsaka Sutra - Book 30 - The IncalculableJoin us as we read and discuss Book 30 of Thomas Cleary's translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra!Resources: Prince, Tony (2014). Universal Enlightenment, An…
What is the third moral precept of Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:21
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 131 - What is the third moral precept of Buddhism? What is its significance? How have interpretations of it changed over time?Resources:Keown, Damien (2013b), "Buddhist Ethics", in LaFollette…
Research Project Series - Nishida Kitarō [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:53
Bright on Buddhism - Research Project Series - Nishida KitarōJoin me as I discuss the life and times of Nishida Kitarō, and his principle work, 善の研究 (Zen no Kenkyū) An Inquiry Into The Good. _____________At the time of r…
Buddhish 26 - Walk for Peace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:30
Bright on Buddhism - Buddhish Episode 26 - Walk for PeaceJoin us as we discuss the Walk for Peace going on in the Southeastern US.If you like our show and want to support us financially, we ask that you instead send that…
Who is Budai? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:20
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 130 - Who is Budai? What are some stories about him? How is he depicted in iconography and why?Resources:Leighton, Taigen Dan (1998). Bodhisattva Archetypes: Classic Buddhist Guides to Awaken…
Who is Tārā? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:36
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 129 - Who is Tara? What are some stories about her? How is she depicted in iconography and why?Resources: Beer, Robert (2003). A Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols. Boston: Shambhala. ISBN…