noun
Bodhidharma's coming from the west
Buddhist term referring to the legendary journey of Bodhidharma from India to China, often symbolizing the transmission of Zen. Used in Zen contexts.
祖師西来の意は、禅の伝来を象徴する故事として知られている。
The meaning of Bodhidharma's coming from the west is known as a legend symbolizing the transmission of Zen.
From 祖師 (founder/patriarch, referring to Bodhidharma) + 西来 (coming from the west). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the phrase is a set expression in Zen Buddhism.