Question

According to chinese texts, which Indian monk traveled to China and imparted some early techniques of Indian martial arts there?

• A. Bodhisattva
• B. Bodhidharma
• C. Vasubandhu
• D. Bodhicharya

Hint:

Think of the monk linked with Shaolin and Zen.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understand the question.
The question asks for the Indian monk named in Chinese texts as the carrier of early martial arts to China. This is the monk linked with the Shaolin temple.

Step 2: Check option 1, Bodhisattva.
A bodhisattva is a being on the path to Buddhahood. It is a title, not the name of a particular monk. So this option is wrong.

Step 3: Check option 2, Bodhidharma.
Bodhidharma was an Indian Buddhist monk of about the fifth or sixth century. Chinese texts say he reached China, taught Chan (Zen) and taught exercises at the Shaolin temple that grew into martial arts. So this option is correct.

Step 4: Check option 3, Vasubandhu.
Vasubandhu was a great Buddhist philosopher of the Yogachara school. He is known for his writings, not for martial arts in China. So this option is wrong.

Step 5: Check option 4, Bodhicharya.
This is not the name of the famous monk. Bodhicharya is a path of conduct, and Shantideva wrote the Bodhicharyavatara. So this option is wrong.

Step 6: Pick the answer.
Chinese tradition names Bodhidharma as the monk who took early martial techniques to China.

Final Answer:
Bodhidharma took Indian martial techniques to Shaolin, China. \[ \boxed{\text{Option 2}} \]