daruma

Bodhidharma doll

Bodhidharma was a 6th century Indian priest in China who practiced meditation. He is an important figure in Zen Buddhism. Because of his long meditation (nine years in one position), he is said to have lost the use of his legs, thus the outward appearance of these dolls.

Daruma's are used to help a person or group of people attain a goal. First the goal is stated and one of the eyes marked in. Once the goal is achieved, the other eye can be filled in. If the daruma is knocked over, it will upright itself, reminding goal-setters that they can return to their goal even if they have gone astray.

Steve and Katie Kohl
NCTA seminar at Redding, California, February 8, 2002