Bodhidharma (lived 6th century)

Indian Buddhist and teacher. He entered China from southern India about 520 and was the founder of the Ch'an school. Ch'an focuses on contemplation leading to intuitive meditation, a direct pointing to and stilling of the human mind. In the 20th century, the Japanese variation, Zen, has attracted many followers in the West.

Ch'an passed to Japan in the 12th century, although its formal practice has been recorded in the 9th century. According to one legend, Bodhidharma sat in uninterrupted meditation until after nine years his legs withered and fell off. He is known as Daruma in Japan.