Batuo
First abbot of the Shaolin Monastery
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The dhyana master Buddhabhadra (Chinese: 跋陀; pinyin: Bátuó) is generally considered to be an Indian Buddhist monk who was the first abbot of the Shaolin Monastery.[1].
Indian Origin: Multiple sources confirm Batuo as a "Dhyana master" who came to China from India to spread Buddhism, and the Shaolin Temple was built for him in 495 CE by Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty.
Former Worthies Gather at the Mount Shuang-feng Stūpa and Each Talks of the Dark Principle contains the following reference to him: "Dhyana Master Buddha says: "The extreme principle is wordless. The sagely mind is unimpeded."[2]
According to the Deng Feng County Recording, Bátuó came to China in 464 and preached for thirty years, Nikaya Buddhism that integrated with Taoist and local folk religion's concepts for its religious rights. Thirty-one years later, in 495, the Shaolin Monastery was built by the order of Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei for Batuo's preaching.[3]
Batuo's disciples Sengchou[1] and Huiguang became well known for their martial staff skills through their time and studies with Batuo, to eventually be mentioned in the Chinese Buddhist canon[4]