Darumashu

  • Japanese: 達磨宗 (daruma shuu)

Darumashû, or the Bodhidharma Sect, was an early sect of Zen Buddhism promoted in Japan by a monk named Nônin. In sharp contrast to the Rinzai Zen teachings of Eisai, with whom Nônin was a contemporary, and who saw Zen as a way of reinvigorating Tendai ritual practice, Nônin advocated that there was no need for monastic discipline or ritual practice, since personal enlightenment could be attained through any activity.

The teachings of the Darumashû were banned by the Imperial Court in 1194, along with those of Eisai.

References

  • William de Bary, Sources of Japanese Tradition, vol 1, Columbia University Press (2001), 308.