Bodhidharma gets crushed by Emperor Wu

Emperor Wu of Liang asked the great master Bodhidharma, 1 "What is the highest meaning of the holy truths?"2 Bodhidharma said, "Empty, without holiness."3 The Emperor said, "Who is facing me?"4 Bodhidharma replied, "I don't know."5 The Emperor did not understand.6 After this Bodhidharma crossed the Yangtse River and came to the kingdom of Wei.7 Later the Emperor brought this up to Master Chih and asked him about it. 8 Master Chih asked, "Does your majesty know who this man is?"9 The Emperor said, "I don't know."10 Master Chih said, "He is the Mahasattva Avalokitesvara, transmitting the Buddha Mind Seal. "11 The Emperor felt regretful, so he wanted to send an emissary to go invite (Bodhidharma to return).12 Master Chih told him, "Your majesty, don't say that you will send someone to fetch him back.13 Even if everyone in the whole country were to go after him, he still wouldn't return."14

Bodhidharma was a broken man. Emperor Wu was a sincere one. They praise driving out the masters and don't even see it. It's all right there in the Blue Cliff Record.

Here are some sticky points about Bodhidharma from just this one Koan.

"There is no merit." He immediately doused the Emperor with dirty water

"I only allow that the old barbarian knows; I don't allow that the old barbarian understands."

This wild fox spirit! He can't avoid embarrassment. He crosses from west to east, he crosses from east to west.

Henceforth, he secretly crossed the river; *He could not pierce another's nostrils, but his own nostrils have been pierced by someone else. c What a pity! He sure isn't a great man.

"Empty, without holiness!" Fortunately, this has nothing to do with it.

Again he said, "I don't know." **A third man, a fourth man hits the mark. Bah!

Tell me, Bodhidharma is Avalokitesvara, Master Chih is Avalokitesvara, but which is the true Avalokitesvara? Since it is Avalokitesvara, why are there two? But why only two? They are legion.

Bodhidharma originally came to this country to melt the sticking points, untie the bonds, pull out the nails and draw out the pegs, to cut down brambles for people: why then say that he gave rise to a thicket of brambles?

Expel your Bodhidharma. People don't sit staring at walls for nine years if they are alive. Rise an Emperor Wu who cannot be fooled. I'll bring out right before you. Emperor Wu's, 'I don't know' was correct and Bodhidharma's 'I don't know' was not. Say though where is Bodhidharma right now? How's that lump in your chest and throat?