All that he had to do was to wait for an earnest seeker after the spirit of Shakya Muni.  Therefore he waited, and waited not in vain, for at last there came a learned Confucianist, Shang Kwang (Shin-ko) by name, for the purpose of finding the final solution of a problem which troubled him so much that he had become dissatisfied with Confucianism, as it had no proper diet for his now spiritual hunger.  Thus Shang Kwang was far from being one of those half-hearted visitors who knocked the door of Bodhidharma only for the sake of curiosity.  But the silent master was cautious enough to try the sincerity of a new visitor before admitting him to the Meditation Hall.  According to a biography[FN#30] of his, Shang Kwang was not allowed to enter the temple, and had to stand in the courtyard covered deep with snow.  His firm resolution and earnest desire, however, kept him standing continually on one spot for seven days and nights with beads of the frozen drops of tears on his breast.  At last he cut off his left arm with a sharp knife, and presented it before the inflexible teacher to show his resolution to follow the master even at the risk of his life.  Thereupon Bodhidharma admitted him into the order as a disciple fully qualified to be instructed in the highest doctrine of Mahayanism.

[FN#30] King Teh Chwen Tang Luh (Kei-toku-den-to-roku), published by Tao Yuen (Do-gen) A.D. 1004, gives a detailed narrative concerning this incident as stated here, but earlier historians tell us a different story about the mutilation of Shang Kwang’s arm.  Compare Suh Kas San Chwen (Zoku-ko-so-den) and Hwui Yuen (E-gen).

Our master’s method of instruction was entirely different from that of ordinary instructors of learning.  He would not explain any problem to the learner, but simply help him to get enlightened by putting him an abrupt but telling question.  Shang Kwang, for instance, said to Bodhidharma, perhaps with a sigh:  “I have no peace of mind.  Might I ask you, sir, to pacify my mind?” “Bring out your mind (that troubles you so much),” replied the master, “here before me!  I shall pacify it.”  “It is impossible for me,” said the disciple, after a little consideration, “to seek out my mind (that troubles me so much).”  “Then,” exclaimed Bodhidharma, “I have pacified your mind.”  Hereon Shang Kwang was instantly Enlightened.  This event is worthy of our notice, because such a mode of instruction was adopted by all Zen teachers after the first patriarch, and it became one of the characteristics of Zen.

5.  Bodhidharma’s Disciples and the Transmission of the Law.[FN#31]

[FN#31] For details, see Chwen Tang Luh and Den Ka Roku, by Kei Zan.  As for the life of Bodhidharma, Dr. B. Matsumoto’s ’A Life of Bodhidharma’ may well be recommended to the reader.