Skate [The Dharmas] Do you know about Dharma?

Daruma are traditional Japanese dolls that have been worshiped as a symbol of good fortune, success, and perseverance for centuries in Japan. Traditionally, daruma dolls are made of paper, typically painted in red, and have no arms or legs. The body has a round shape, and both of the eyes remain blank when you purchase them. Daruma are modeled after an ancient Buddhist monk called Bodhidharma, who is believed to be the founder of Zen Buddhism and lived back in the 5th century. Originally born and raised in India, he introduced the teachings of Zen Buddhism to China. According to legend, he spent nine straight years meditating against a wall in a sitting position. As a result, he, unfortunately, lost his limbs in exchange for reaching enlightenment after years of hard training. The round shape of daruma dolls with no legs and arms represents his impaired body. It is believed during the Edo Period (1603 – 1868) that daruma dolls became popular among ordinary people in Japan as a symbol of good fortune.As you can imagine from the unique round shape, daruma dolls are designed to keep their upright position at any time. This is because they are weighted at the bottom, so no matter how many times you try to knock them over, they always bounce right back and return to the same posture. This feature of Daruma dolls embodies the mental strength, patience, and perseverance that are considered essential to achieving goals in one’s life.