In his later years, Bodhidharma felt that his time in this world was coming to an end. He gathered his four closest disciples before him.
These disciples were Daofu, the nun Zongchi, Daoyu, and the youngest, Huike.
Bodhidharma said:
"I will soon leave. You have studied with me for many years. Tell me what you have realized."
Daofu spoke first:
"In my view, one should neither cling to words nor reject them. Words can be used as a tool for seeking the Way."
Bodhidharma shook his head and said:
"You have attained my skin."
Next, Nun Zongchi said:
"My understanding is like seeing the Buddha Akshobhya's Pure Land once—after that moment, it can never truly be seen again."
Bodhidharma replied:
"You have attained my flesh."
Then Daoyu said:
"Earth, water, fire, and wind are empty by nature. The eyes, ears, nose, and tongue are not ultimately real. In the end, there is not a single thing that can be grasped."
Bodhidharma said:
"You have attained my bones."
Finally, it was Huike's turn.
He stood up, bowed to Bodhidharma three times, then remained standing silently without saying a word.
Bodhidharma laughed and said:
"You have attained my marrow."
Understanding the Four Levels
To better understand this story, we can look at these four levels one by one.
It is important to note that the story is pointing toward ultimate reality rather than practical teachings for everyday life.
First Level: Skin
Daofu said, "Do not cling to words, but do not abandon them."
His statement sounds correct, but he was still explaining an idea.
The fact that he expressed it showed that he was still holding onto the concept of "not clinging and not rejecting."
If there were truly no attachment, there would be no need to state it.
That is why Bodhidharma said he had only attained the skin.
He had reached the doorway, but had not yet entered.
Second Level: Flesh
Nun Zongchi moved a step beyond discussing words and spoke from personal experience.
However, her understanding still relied on a contrast between seeing and not seeing, presence and absence.
She was still operating within dualistic distinctions.
Therefore, Bodhidharma said she had attained the flesh.
Third Level: Bones
Daoyu declared that nothing can truly be grasped.
This reflects a central Buddhist teaching: all phenomena are empty, and there is no fixed self.
His understanding had reached a deeper level.
Yet it remained an intellectual statement.
Knowing something and fully embodying it are not necessarily the same.
For this reason, Bodhidharma said he had attained the bones.
Fourth Level: Marrow
Huike said nothing.
He simply bowed and stood quietly.
He no longer relied on words, nor did he feel any need to explain himself.
It was not that he lacked understanding. Rather, he had no need to demonstrate understanding.
For him, realization and action, mind and circumstance, had become one.
Zen often speaks of a state beyond words and concepts.
This does not mean language is useless. It means that the deepest realization cannot be fully captured by language.
The moment it is expressed, it is divided into subject and object, right and wrong, this and that.
With his silent bow, Huike let go of both the speaker and what could be spoken.
That was what Bodhidharma had been waiting for.
Skin, Flesh, Bones, and Marrow
These are not simply four different answers.
They represent four layers of letting go.
First, letting go of attachment to words.
Then, letting go of attachment to distinctions.
Then, letting go of attachment to concepts and views.
Finally, even letting go of the idea of letting go itself.
What remains is simply reality as it is.
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