01/16/2026
Gave the fast track students daruma dolls yeaterday as they are 1/3 through the goal of completing the 200 hour AP portion of the training towards -
LMT
Mariko sent this out today - so perfect timing
“Bodhidharma
A 6th-century Indian monk who introduced Buddhism to China, he became the stuff of legends:
He scolded the Shaolin monks for being book smart but real-world stupid and shooed them out from behind the monastery walls. But first, he taught them kung fu so they could defend themselves against bandits.
He spoke truth to power, telling off Emperor Wu of Liang:
Emperor Wu: "How much karmic merit have I earned for ordaining Buddhist monks, building monasteries, having sutras copied, and commissioning Buddha images?"
Bodhidharma: "None. Good deeds done with worldly intent bring good karma, but no merit."
He crossed the Yangtze river on a leaf, cut off his eyelids so as not to fall asleep while meditating continuously for nine years, and was spotted three years after his death walking in the mountains, dangling a sandal slung over his shoulder – the other was found in his grave.
He’s the bad boy of Buddhism and I’m in love with him.
In Japan, Daruma is a good-fortune-brought-on-by-hard-work life hack. You’ll find red papier-mâché roly-poly Darumas that bounce back when you tip them over everywhere. It’s a New Year’s tradition to fill in one eye and commit to a goal, one that requires focused badassery, like passing exams or finishing a marathon.
As you work towards your goal, keep the Daruma doll nearby as a reminder of your promise to yourself. When you succeed, fill in the eye with a flourish.
Daruma is the patron saint of yet-to-be-met goals.
That Daruma represents the good fortune that comes from taking action stems from his koan “Seven times down, eight times up.” To me, this is not just about dusting yourself off and coming back swinging but learning something from each setback.
Action does not create linear, unbroken progress.
Taking action requires risk and begets uncertainty. And for those of you who try to avoid all that risk-taking by doing nothing, know that inaction is a form of action. There is no escape from risk and uncertainty. More on this later.
But – and this is an important but – if you learn from your failures, you will accrue wisdom far greater than the sum of your setbacks.”
Quoted from Mariko Gordon
