The painting, Huike Offering His Arm to Bodhidharma was created by Toyo in 1496. It is a hanging scroll with ink and light colors on paper. Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk who was rumored to live during either the 5th or the 6th century. He is credited for being the transmitter of Chan Buddhism to China and became the first known Chinese patriarch. Throughout Buddhist art, he is often depicted as being ill-tempered, profusely-bearded, and almost like a barbarian. Bodhidharma’s teachings are centered on the Lankavatara Sutra and meditation. In one version of the story, it is said that he lived in a cave where he faced a wall for nine years in seclusion, not speaking to anyone the entire time because he was refused entry at the Shaolin Monastery.
