Daruma dolls in Takasaki.

Daruma Dolls だるま

Daruma dolls are named after Bodhidharma, a monk who arrived in China in the 5th or 6th century from either India or Persia. Bodhidharma is credited with spreading the new meditative school of Chan Buddhism. A school of Buddhism that much later led to the development of Zen Buddhism in Japan.

Bodhidharma's meditation style was quite radical. Nothing, absolutely nothing was supposed to interrupt his meditation. At one time, he is said to have stared at a wall without any movement for 9 years, sitting in the lotus position. His arms and legs fell off while Bodhidharma focused all his mind inwards.

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Daruma