5. Bodhidharma's Disciples and the Transmission of the Law.[1]--Bodhidharma's labour of nine years in China resulted in the initiation of a number of disciples, whom some time before his death he addressed as follows: "Now the time (of my departure from this world) is at hand. Say, one and all, how do you understand the Law?" Tao Fu (Do-fuku) said in response to this: "The Law does not lie in the letters (of the Scriptures), according to my view, nor is it separated from them, but it works." The Master said: "Then you have obtained my skin." Next Tsung Chi (So-ji), a nun, replied: "As Ananda [2] saw the kingdom of Aksobhya[3] only once but not twice, so I understand the Law"; The master said: "Then you have attained to my flesh." Then Tao Yuh (Do-iku) replied: "The four elements[4] are unreal from the first, nor are the five aggregates[5] really existent. All is emptiness according to my view." The master said: "Then you have acquired my bone." Lastly, Hwui Ko (E-ka), which was the Buddhist name given by Bodhidharma, to Shang Kwang, made a polite bow to the teacher and stood in his place without a word. "You have attained

[1. 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.

2. A favourite disciple of Shakya Muni, and the Third Patriarch of Zen.

3. The: name means I Immovable,' and represents the firmness of thought.

4. Earth, water, fire, and air.

5. (1) Rupa, or form; (2) Vedana, or perception; (3) Samjna, or consciousness; (4) Karman (or Samskara), or action; (5) Vijnana, or knowledge.]

to my marrow." So saying, Bodhidharma handed over the sacred Kachaya,[l] which he had brought from India to Hwui Ko, as a symbol of the transmission of the Law, and created him the Second Patriarch.