Tibet: News, History and Buddhism

Favorite Buddhist and Tibet Related Books at Amazon.com

Path to Enlightenment in Tibetan Buddhism:by Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden. Possibly the best and most comprehensive book on the practice of Tibetan Buddhism. I have seen a very thick trade paper book reasonably priced in some U.S. stores. Not available at Amazon		Tibet's Great Yogi Milarepa, a Biography from the Tibetan, Edited by W. Y. Evans-Wentz. Probably the greatest story of a chela's tests on the path. The west has Job, the east, Milarepa. I don't think Westerners truly understand the ways on the Guru. Milarepa's life is the Path.
Shambhala by Nicholas Roerich. Tibet in the first half of this century as seen by a Westerner, a Russian, and a true devotee of the Path, the Buddha and the Masters. Roerich has a deft touch with the pen as well as the brush, as he describes the mystery surrounding Shambhala.		Heart of Asia by Nicholas Roerich. Back cover: "Roerich recounts his journeys to more than fifty monasteries and his meetings with lamas eager to share their spiritual insights and heritage with the Western world. His expeditions crossed 35 mountain passes where he sketched, painted and studied..."
The Legend of the Great Stupa Padmasambhava and Yeshe Tsogyal; Back cover: "This tale of selfless devotion, told by the Great Guru Padmasambhava ... , uses the language of myth to convey profound depths of meaning. The cycles of building, prospering, destruction and regeneration it relates, echo experiences inherent in spiritual growth..."		Dakini Teachings; Padmasambhava's Oral Instructions to Lady Tsogyal; Translated by Erik Pema Kunsang. Wonderful book. These are teachings by Padmasambhava meant for later times including today. Those tied to his heart and some who embodied with him will bring back the true teachings of the Buddha.
Snow Lion's Turquoise Mane by Surya Das. Amazon reviewer: "The tales of wild crazy masters,and ordinary people on their journey of self-discovery will inspire and amaze you. Hearing about others whose journey's have been successful (in their own ways) renews one's own spiritual quest and helps you to realize that you are not alone, ..."		A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield. Great title and says it all. Author has roots in Vipassana or 'Insight Meditation,' which was this editor's first real foray into Buddhism and meditation. This book tries to bring spirituality into everyday life; practical with 'heart.'
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying: Amazon review: "Sogyal Rinpoche has transformed that ancient text, conveying a perennial philosophy that is at once religious, scientific, and practical. Through extraordinary anecdotes and stories from religious traditions East and West, Rinpoche introduces the reader to the fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism, ..."		Quietly Comes the Buddha by Elizabeth Clare Prophet. These are poetical meditations from the heart of Gautama on the Ten Perfections that the Buddha pursued. The Buddha wants us to follow him. The gentle cadences of these passages take you to that higher plane. All we have to do is put it into action.
Warriors of Tibet : The Story of Aten and the Khampas' Fight for the Freedom of their Country by Jamyang Norbu. This is a great little book about the desperate struggle to save their land balancing it with the love of family, community and the Buddha.		Sherlock Holmes, The Missing Years by Jamyang Norbu. I liked his book just to left of this one so much that I put up his next one. It got good reviews. I'll read it one of these days because he is a good writer.
Old Path White Clouds, Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha; by Thich Nhat Hanh. This is a beautiful book about the life of Gautama Buddha. The narrative alternates from Buddha to a little buffalo herder. Not all Buddhist monks, lamas and teachers are the genuine article. Thich Nhat Hanh seems to walking in the footsteps of the Buddha with this book.		Spy on the Roof of the World; A True Story of Espionage and Survival in the Himalayas by Sydney Wignall. This British author climbed the Himalayas in '55 with two others. He also spied on the Chinese at the same time for some concerned Indian intelligence officers. They were captured. Their ordeal was unreal. India did not heed their warning once they returned.
Magic and Mystery in Tibet by Alexandra David-Neel. This lady had a lot of moxie traveling around Tibet and living there for 14 years in the early 1900's. This is worth reading because it is about her Path as well as the authentic Tibet.		Initiations and Initiates in Tibet by Alexandra David-Neel. Amazon reviewer: "... one of the earliest attempts to explain honestly to the much-obfuscated Western mind (viz. the term lamaique), the nature of the ongoing process that is the method employed by Vajrayana teachers. She understood how less educated Tibetans viewed certain teachings compared with the perceptions of the intellectuals."
How to Practice; The Way to a Meaningful Live. by the Dalai Lama. Amazon review: "As a primer on living the good life, few books compete with How to Practice, another profound offering from the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader ... Westerners may be confused by the book's title, assuming that it focuses solely on Buddhist meditation and prayer techniques. Though it does address meditation and prayer, at its core this is a book that demonstrates how day-to-day living can be a spiritual practice.		An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life by the Dalai Lama. Amazon review: "In the summer of 1999, the Dalai Lama addressed an audience of over 40,000 in Central Park on how to live a better life. Open Heart is derived from this and other popular lectures given in New York. ... Through the methods of analytical and settled meditation, the Dalai Lama shows how we can cultivate helpful states of mind and eliminate harmful states, leading us to develop compassion for others and happiness for ourselves."
Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh. Amazon review: "If you have always assumed that Christianity and Buddhism are as far apart philosophically as their respective founders were geographically, you may be in for a bit of a surprise.... Thich Nhat Hanh draws parallels between these two traditions that have them walking, hand in hand, down the same path to salvation. In Christianity, he finds mindfulness in the Holy Spirit as an agent of healing. In Buddhism, he finds unqualified love in the form of compassion for all living things. ..."	Inside Tibetan Buddhism	Inside Tibetan Buddhism/Rituals and Symbols Revealed : Rituals and Symbols Revealed (Signs of the Sacred) by Robert A. F. Thurman. Out of print but possibly available used at Amazon. This is one of my favorite Buddhist books. It's loaded with color pictures that aid the reader in understanding the practice of Buddhism. If you're graphically oriented like me you'll appreciate pictures of Kalachakras, mudras, altars, etc.
The Bodhisattva Warriors by Shifu Nagaboshi Tomio: Back cover: "This unique study of the genesis and development of the earliest form of Buddhist self-defense practiced by Chuan Fa monks and mystics shows both the philosophical and physical basis of the skill developed and passed on to subsequent generations."		Bodhisattva of Compassion, Amazon reviewer: "This is perhaps my favorite book by John Blofeld. The stories of Kuan Yin are well told, diverse and moving. He strikes an excellent balance between philosophy, history, story telling, Kuan Yin meditation techniques, and personal devotion."
The Way to Shambhala by Edwin Bernbaum; Everything you wanted to know and more likely had no idea about Shambhala, but were afraid to ask. Some fascinating research and even includes western parrallels i.e. the myth of Shangrila.		The Central Philosophy of Tibet by Robert Thurman; "I am very happy that Tsong Khapa's masterpiece of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy has been translated into English, ... It has long been one of my favorite works, and I hope that others will appreciate its deep thought and lucid insights as we have for centuries in Tibet."-foreword by the Dalai Lama
Into Tibet : The CIA's First Atomic Spy and His Secret Expedition to Lhasa by Thomas Laird: The tale of the CIA's involvement in Tibet has all the ingredients of a great thriller, including a grimly ironic outcome for most of the participants, Taipei Times.		Essential Tibetan Buddhism by Robert Thurman; Although this is at the bottom of the list, it really is an essential book to own on Buddhism. He is an authority on the subject and does an admirable job starting out, explaining the differences in all the various Buddhist sects.
Tibet's Great Yogi Milarepa: A Biography from the Tibetan ; Being the Jetsun-Kahbum or Biographical History of Jetsun-Milarepa, According to the Late Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup's by Gtsan-Smyon He-Ru-Ka, W. Y. Evans-Wentz (Editor), Zla-Ba-Bsam-'Grub, Donald S. Lopez Jr. A reader from South Africa: This book is translated from the original Tibetan biography of Milarepa. It is easy to read, and contains some wonderful explanatory notes. These go a long way in clearing up some of the more difficult statements found in the book, especially for those unfamiliar with Tibetan Buddhism. All round a wonderful book		Lady of the Lotus-Born: The Life and Enlightenment of Yeshe Tsogyal by Nam-Mkha'I-Snying-Po, Gyalwa Changchub, Gyalwa Changchub, Terton Taksham Samten Lingpa, Nam-Mkhai-Snying-Po. From Library Journal; In the eighth century, the Indian master Padmasambhava (known as the "Lotus-Born" Guru) introduced Buddhism into Tibet. One of his first disciples, and the closest to him personally, was Yeshe Tsogyal, greatly revered by Tibetans as a Nirmanakaya--an enlightened soul who returns to human life to lead others in the way of enlightenment. This is her biography, written by two of her disciples, an ancient text in a genre called namthar, a "tale of liberation."
The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma by Red Pine; Ingram: Bodhidharma, the 5th-century Indian Buddhist monk who is credited with bringing Zen to China, had few disciples in his lifetime. Today there are millions of Zen Buddhists and students of kung fu who claim him as their spiritual father. The edition teaches four of his teachings in their entirety.		Buddhist Masters of Enchantment: The Lives and Legends of the Mahasiddhas by Abhayadatta, Robert Beer; Reviewer: Brooke E. Schedneck, I had to read this book for a course on Tantric Buddhism and it was so much fun to read. There is a great introduction which explains a bit about Tantra and some of the terminology in the book. The book is about the mahasiddhas or exemplars of this tradition. The book consists of short stories, about two pages each, of the enlightenment and adventures of these religious people. The best part about it is that they all went through these rigorous mental and physical states to reach Enlightenment and none of them got there in quite the same way. ...
Becoming Vajrasattva: The Tantric Path of Purification, 2nd Edition Lama Thubten Yeshe; From Wisdom Pubs.:The practice of purification is one of the most important solutions to life''s problems." -Lama Zopa Rinpoche Common to all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, the practice of Vajrasattva is used to purify obstacles to spiritual development, negative karma and illness. Lama Yeshe, the inspirational teacher who strongly influenced the development of Buddhism in the West, found that the practice of Vajrasattva brought dramatic results for his Western students. Becoming Vajrasattva, is a complete guide to this purification practice, providing instruction on the method, commentary on the traditional texts, and insight into tantra. Also included is an entire section of complete retreat instructions-required reading for anyone undertaking a meditation retreat in the Tibetan tradition.		Seven Times Down, Eight Times Up: Landing on Your Feet in an Upside Down World by Alan Gettis. From a reviewer at Amazon: Dr. Gettis writes a simple read packed with wisdom and good old fashion common sense for a happy life. His stories are a wonderful cross of Chicken Soup for the Soul and What I Learned I Learned in Kindergarten. They are spiced with concepts common to western thought such as those espoused by Albert Ellis and eastern spiritual ideas of Buddha and Zen thought. Maybe even a little Obi Wan Kanobi and Yoda tossed in for good measure. If you want to face life's ups and downs with a fresh way of thinking then read this book!
Book Review: Buddha's Warriors-The Story of the CIA Backed Tibetan Freedom Fighters, the Chinese Invasion and the Ultimate Fall of Tibet-1/27 Independent Tibet Network\Phayul, By Mikel Dunham-- Buddha's Warriors is compulsive reading for anyone interested in the ancient conflict between the forces of light and dark. Much more than a re-telling of Tibetan resistance to Chinese invasion, above all its other credentials, and they are considerable indeed, it's a moving account of freedom challenging oppression through sacrifice, courage, determination and suffering. ...		Chasing the Monk's Shadow by Mishi Saran; Editorial Review: In the seventh century AD, the Chinese monk Xuanzang set off on an epic journey to India to study Buddhist philosophy from the Indian masters. Traveling along the Silk Road, braving brigands and blizzards, Xuanzang finally reached India, where his spiritual quest took him to Buddhist holy places and monasteries throughout the subcontinent. Fourteen hundred years later, Mishi Saran follows in Xuanzang's footsteps to the fabled oasis cities of China and Central Asia, and the Buddhist sites and now-vanished kingdoms in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan that Xuanzang wrote about. Traveling seamlessly back and forth in time between the seventh century and the twenty-first, Saran uncovers the past with consummate skill even as she brings alive the present through her vivid and engaging descriptions of people and places.
Guru Yoga : According to the Preliminary Practice of Longchen Nyingtik by Diglo Khyentse Rinpoche. Reverse Spins Review: I know of no other book that encapsulates in just 86 pages the essence of Tibetan Buddhism like Guru Yoga does. The author, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, had me from his very first words. This extraordinary adept and teacher of Tibetan Masters is unfortuantely no longer with us in the form you see above. He made the transition in 1991. But he left a record of this teaching for all in an unfolding elegant style that pullls the reader in. Even the intricacies of Tibetan meditation for advanced students are made accessible. While the beginner may want to read another book by the Rinpoche, The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel as an introduction, this one can stand alone. Its contents and practice forms the cornerstone of Tibetan Buddhism. ... more>		The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel by Dilgo Khyentse. Amazon reviewer: "This is one of the best books I've ever read about how to carry the basic practices of Tibetan Buddhism into daily life. It tells how to consider the nearness of the "guru", or teacher, during sleep, while eating, walking, and all the time, bringing compassion and devotion into every moment. This book is truly about having a "love affair" with your spiritual practice. It's written by one of the most revered tibetan teachers in a language that's emotional, accessible and not overly scholarly. At the same time it addresses specific issues of great importance to the Longchen Nyingtik Ngondro, one of the "preliminary practices" of Tibetan Buddhism. Read, reread and enjoy!"
NEW: The Tibetan Book of the Dead Review by The Independent (UK): ... "This version, translated by Gyurme Dorje and edited by Graham Coleman, is by far the most complete and comprehensive to date. It has been a long time (approximately 17 years) in the making, and has benefited from the close cooperation of a remarkable range of Tibetan masters. It contains an extremely authoritative introductory commentary from His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Indeed it was the Dalai Lama who, at the time of the book's inception, hooked up Graham Coleman with H H Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, the late head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. ..." Original link: The Tibetan Book of the Dead		Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill (Paperback) by Matthieu Ricard, Daniel Goleman (Foreword) Reviewer at Amazon: What a joy to find such an intelligent and creative approach to the universal quest for happiness and well-being! Matthieu Ricard begins by examining our definitions of happiness and then leads us on a journey that explores the causes and conditions for happiness, our own inner mechanisms that do or don't create happiness, how to deal with death and difficulties, the sociology of happiness, and so on. The book's emphasis is on how to develop inner resources for a sense of happiness and fulfillment that is not dependent on outer circumstances. There is real freedom in the knowledge that we can move towards an authentic sense of well-being by working with our ways of relating and processing the obstacles and circumstances that present themselves. This is all helped along by the short enjoyable exercises that lead the reader through a process of getting to know the mind and how it works. Matthieu Ricard's voice is quite unique and I liked his use of metaphor to describe various emotional states and how to deal with them. I also found the sociology of happiness an interesting chapter, revealing the trends of our society, and I especially liked learning "first-hand about the work of neuroscience and the brain. end
Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath by Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche, Publication Date: January 24, 2012. Publisher's description: We all aspire to live fully and freely in the moment. In Living Fully, Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche reveals timeless wisdom that can help us fulfill this deepest aspiration. Each succinct teaching is a luminous jewel, an invaluable guide to actualizing our innate potential and breathing with joy and ease. Today, with so many struggling with financial, relationship, and career challenges, Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath is a timely prescription. Rinpoche offers the tools we need to experience genuine inner freedom, uncorrupted by endless craving for something better. Topics include beginning with a pure motivation, the preciousness of breath, healing oneself and others, the essence of meditation, and spontaneous fulfillment. Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche has written the book that our troubled age has been yearning for. It is a treasure trove of heartfelt advice on how to seize the moment and live with kindness and understanding. Rinpoche’s teachings gently beckon us home to the purity and simplicity of our true nature. At peace with ourselves and at ease with the world, we can discover what it means to live our lives fully.		Zen and the Art of Happiness by Chris Prentis, Review by Reverse Spins: “Happiness can be a fickle thing. It can be a snug, magnetic garment, attracting more and more of the same, or it can be an ill-fitting gossamer veil flitting here and there. It all depends on one’s psychology, karma, and attitude. This wonderful little book shows that we can overcome the obstacles to happiness. It’s for those who want and need change—in expectations, habits, and outlook. Chris Prentiss teaches us how, with a joie de vivre that obviously comes from experience. Use his practical wisdom to get in the habit of being happy—every day. Put this book by your bedside and the Zen of happiness can be yours.”

DVD's, Videos and Audios on Buddhism at Amazon

DVD—The Yogis of Tibet. Quite possibly the best documentary you will ever see on Tibetan Buddhism and the consequences of the Chinese Occupation. While it is true that Buddhism has continued to flourish, it is the Path of the Yogis and esoteric Buddhism that has suffered the greatest setback. Can't recommned it enough. Well photographed, narrarated and beautifully crafted. It's also on video. Link: An article on the Filming of The Yogis of Tibet.

Audio —Sacred Tibetan Chant: Monks of Sherab Ling Monastery Winner of the 2004 Grammy Award for best Traditional World Music Album-- Amazon Reviewer: Although it opens with familiar-sounding throat sings and droning chants, this disc explores a wider range of styles, with songs and arrangements that may be unfamiliar to many world music fans... Not goofy pop remixes, as others have done, but rather a deeper exploration of the real traditional material of Tibet's ancient religious heritage. Unusual and quite pleasant; this is an album whose charms will slowly sneak up on you and then become quite compelling.

TIBET: Cry of the Snow Lion Reverse Spins, I was finally able to see this movie. It exceeded all expectations. While showing the amazing beauty and deep spirituality of Tibet, its most important message-- the genocide of a people, culture and religion was shown with devastating effectiveness. Superbly done and will never be surpassed. This is the definitive movie to watch on the plight of Tibet. Editor
Here is the DVD description: Ten years in the making, this feature-length documentary was filmed during a remarkable nine journeys throughout Tibet, India and Nepal. CRY OF THE SNOW LION brings audiences to the long-forbidden "rooftop of the world" with an unprecedented richness of imagery... from rarely-seen rituals in remote monasteries, to horse races with Khamba warriors; from brothels and slums in the holy city of Lhasa, to magnificent Himalayan peaks still traveled by nomadic yak caravans. The dark secrets of Tibet's recent past are powerfully chronicled through riveting personal stories and interviews, and a collection of undercover and archival images never before assembled in one documentary. A definitive exploration of a legendary subject, TIBET: CRY OF THE SNOW LION is an epic story of courage and compassion.

Tibetan Buddhist Goddess Altar; Amazon Editorial Review: The home altar has become an increasingly popular tool for contemporary seekers, allowing them to tap their spirituality informally, at any time of the day. This charming book puts a new twist on the phenomenon by showcasing female Buddhist deities in a delightfully unusual format. Designed to resemble a Tibetan temple, the book presents stunning three-dimensional renderings of traditional thangka paintings. It features doors that open from the middle of the front cover, a sturdy tab-insert closure, and elastic loops to hold each altar firmly in place. Four important goddesses appear here. White Tara pacifies illness and removes obstacles; Vanshudara increases prosperity, fertility, and happiness; Kurukulla helps attract and influence through the power of love and desire; and Vajrayogini aids in developing the enlightened union of Great Bliss and Emptiness. With the assistance of these colorful altars and an informative text about the symbolic art, visualization can blossom into multidimensional meditation.

Rented this DVD last night with friends. It was fantastic as I suspected it would be. Brought interesting parallels in my life but mostly it was a charming and wonderful story told about a chela's search for his reincarnated Rinpoche. The reviewer below gives a good synopsis. Editor

This Could be the Best Documentary I've Ever Seen-5/7 Amazon Reviewer, By Loves the View "Louise" (Hawaii) - This review is from: Unmistaken Child (DVD) A Buddhist Master dies. After sadness and mourning his young assistant sets out to find his master's re-incarnate. His journey begins with guidance from an astrologer. The search takes him, primarily on foot, through some of the most beautiful territory in the world. He visits rural people that eke out a living in pristine, rugged and remote areas of Nepal. I saw in the program that the quest took 4 years. The child is found and is brought to the monastery for testing. Once validated, the child is accepted as the incarnate of the master and is given a new name and confirmed by the Dalai Lama. People come from far and wide pay homage to him. The beauty of this movie extends beyond the fantastic scenery and ceremonies. The pure love the assistant had for his master, his treatment of the child and his utter confidence that the child is his master re-incarnate is touching and thought provoking. The uncomplicated devotion of the people to their religion and customs is as stunning as the scenery. This is a look into an a highly ritualized not only religion but culture. Besides learning the process for chosing religious leaders you are behind the scenes of the monestaries where you see how the monks eat, sleep and relate. You are in the homes of the rural people who live as their ancestors. The people do not seem to notice the cameras. In scenes where they talk to the camera, they appear to be totally genuine. I highly recommend this beautiful film for anyone interested in Buddhism and eastern religion or those interested in travel world cultures.

Links

Information

Publications, Art and other links

Shambhala Publications
Snow Lion Publications
Wisdom Publications
Shambhala Sun Magazine
Tricycle Magazine
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion Official Site
The Cultural Monuments of Tibet's Outer Provinces
Digital Prayer Wheels The two above come from here.

	Jetsun Milarepa, (1052-1135) Milarepa, who lived in the 12th century, is widely regarded as Tibet's greatest yogi. Through diligent practice, he overcame the influence of his evil past and achieved full enlightenment in one lifetime. Milarepa's teachings provide an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Milarepa's Encounter with Marpa, The Magic Life of Milarepa		Padmasambhava (730-805) Padmasambhava is the Tantric Buddha - the second Buddha, who brought the teachings of the Nine Yanas of Buddhism to Tibet and the entire Trans-Himalayan area. He subdued all the negative forces which had caused obstacles to the establishment of the teachings and founded the two sanghas: the red sangha of monks and nuns, and the gö-kar chang-lo'i dé (gos dKar lCang lo'i sDe) the white sangha or ngak'phang sangha of ngakpas & ngakmas, naljorpas and naljormas. The birth of Padmasambhava was predicted by Shakyamuni Buddha, who said: "15 years after my death, one will come with greater capacity than myself - a second Buddha - one with the power to establish the teachings of Vajrayana in the world." from Padmasambhava, another link: About Guru Rinpoche
	Je Tsong Khapa (1357 - 1419) Born in Amdo eastern Tibet, Je Tsong Khapa is widely regarded in Tibet as a second Buddha and the main teacher of the first Dalai Lama, Gendun Drub. He was an eminent scholar who reformed the old Kadampa sect, creating the new Gelugpa sect ['System of Virtue,' popularly known as the Yellow Hats], which was to become the most powerful in the entire region, eventually converting Mongolia and all other Himalayan kingdoms to Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Thinker, Tibetan Buddhist		Yeshe Tsogyal (777-837 A.D.) Among the great female adepts of Tibetan Tantra, Yeshe Tsogyal is foremost. Yeshe Tsogyal was an eighth century Tibetan princess who became the tantric consort of Tibet's Great Guru Padmasambhava. Her exemplary life story describes the ideal path of a yogini (a female practitioner) and in so far as it provides a blueprint for every woman who aspires to Buddhahood; from a short bio.
	Atisha, (982-1054) Atisha, an Indian monk of royal birth, who was born in 980 A.D., entered Tibet in the year 1038 and died near Lhasa in 1052 A.D. The author of a great number of learned works and founder of the Kadampa sect from which the present-day Gelugpa sect is derived, he is so profoundly reverenced for his wisdom that Tibetans regard him as an incarnation of Manjushri Bodhisattva. Above all he is honored for purifying Tibetan Buddhism of certain doubtful tendencies and restoring the great Mahayana doctrine in its pristine purity. More links: Theosophy on Atisha, A biography of the renowned Buddhist sage		Bodhidharma (470-532) Bodhidharma is credited with bringing Chan [Zen] teachings to China and he is the First Patriarch of Chinese Chan (Zen) Lineage. He was born on 5th October (Chinese Lunar Calendar) in Southern India, and was the third son of an Indian King; the royal family belonged to the Brahmin caste. Bodhidharma's Buddhist Master, Prajnatara, was the 27th Patriarch of Indian Buddhism, taught Bodhidharma for many years, gave him Mind Transmission, made him the 28th Patriarch, and gave him the name Bodhidharma. Following the instruction of his master to transmit Dharma to China, Bodhidharma traveled east to Southern China in 526 A.D. When he arrived in Kwang Chou, he was ceremoniously welcomed and greatly honored by the local military official named Shao Yang. ... Theosophy link