Bodhidharma Retold

This groundbreaking work is an attempt to solve the mystery surrounding Bodhidharma the mysterious founder of Chan (Zen), and Shaolin Kung Fa. This two-volume study attempts to provide a comprehensive analysis of Bodhidharma’s life and legend in India and China. It follows his journey starting at Mt. Sailam, to the highly-respected Shaolin temple in Northern China. Volume 1 is dedicated to Bodhidharma’s Chinese life. Contrary to modern scholarship which has made Bodhidharma a mythical figure and reduced him to a mere legend, the first volume of the study reveals that there was a Bodhidharma, a historical monk. His role in the import, propagation and ultimately founding of Shaolin Kungfa and Chan Zen (Zen) is then examined. The study, which draws many parallels between Indian esoteric Buddhism and Chan culture, proves Shaolin Kungfa has its roots in Indian Hatha Yoga. A number of historical “black boxes” were examined. This led to some shocking findings that will be a challenge to certain beliefs about Bodhidharma’s life and a paradigm shift within this field.