The Zen wisdom of Bodhidharma

Bodhidharma gave the same answer to two opposing lifestyles | Zen Wisdom

I should draw Zen cartoons on my altar

(ECHOES OF LOST KNOWLEDGE) Can a butcher become a buddha? Can someone who lives with sensual desire, worldly attachments, and harmful habits still attain enlightenment?

In the Bloodstream Sermon, traditionally attributed to the First Patriarch of Zen Buddhism Bodhidharma, we encounter a remarkable answer:

"I only talk about seeing your nature."

Bodhidharma's message

Whether the question concerns a married man or a butcher who kills and slaughters animals, Bodhidharma appears to point toward the same essential truth: seeing our own nature is what matters [and what is more important].

But does this mean that enlightenment makes someone free from karma? Can realizing Buddha Nature place a person beyond the consequences of their actions? And can spiritual awakening ever become an excuse for avoiding moral responsibility?

In this exploration of Bodhidharma's teachings, we examine one of the most challenging passages in the Bloodstream Sermon and investigate the relationship between Buddha Nature, karma, desire (craving), and moral responsibility.

• MESSAGE: This Japanese scroll calligraphy drawing of Bodhidharma reads, "Zen points directly to the human heart, see into your nature and become Buddha." It was created by Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769).

The Gateless Gate: Zen Koans

We also explore the famous story of Baizhang and the wild fox from The Gateless Barrier, where a single mistaken answer about cause and effect leads to 50 ["many"] lifetimes of suffering.

Through these two Zen teachings, we examine a crucial distinction: freedom from attachment does not necessarily mean freedom from cause and effect.

• [EDITORIAL NOTE: The Buddha and the noble ones, even the fully enlightened disciples, all still face the results (vipaka) of their previous deeds (karma). An fully awakened being (arhat, be that person a buddha or an enlightened disciple] no longer generates karma. So such a person's new intentional actions are called kriya ("simple actions") not karma. These being, called the "noble ones," are no longer subject karma except for residual karma. This is called "nirvana with remainder." With the passing away of an arhat, there is "nirvana without remainder." In that sense, one has escaped all further karma and all the consequences that might have come had one stayed in samsara.]

Perhaps seeing our true nature does not mean escaping responsibility. Perhaps it means finally becoming willing to see our actions without hiding behind the image of who we believe ourselves to be.

IN THIS VIDEO

Bodhidharma (Himeji-jo)

• Bodhidharma's teaching on seeing our own nature
• The Bloodstream Sermon and its meaning
• Can a butcher attain enlightenment?
• Buddha Nature and the relationship between desire and awakening
• Does enlightenment free us from karma?
• The difference between liberation and moral irresponsibility
• Baizhang's story of the wild fox and cause and effect Zen Buddhism, non-attachment, and personal responsibility

KEY TEACHING

The person who sees does not need to deny cause and effect [karma]. True understanding should not become an excuse to avoid looking at what our actions have done.

If we are interested in Zen Buddhism, Bodhidharma, Buddha Nature, Buddhist philosophy, karma, and the deeper meaning of enlightenment, this exploration invites us to look beyond conventional spiritual assumptions. #Bodhidharma #ZenBuddhism #BuddhaNature

• ECHOES OF LOST KNOWLEDGE, Nov. 13, 2026; CC Liu, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly