Bodhidharma, also known as Daruma in Japan, is considered the founder of Zen Buddhism. He was an Indian monk who is believed to have lived during the 5th or 6th century CE. Bodhidharma's journey to becoming the founder of Zen Buddhism was a long and eventful one, filled with teachings, travels, and legends.

Bodhidharma's early life is shrouded in mystery, with different accounts and legends surrounding it. According to some sources, he was born into a royal family in southern India and was a prince named Bodhitara. Others claim that he was born into a Brahmin family and was named Bodhitara. However, most accounts agree that he was born into a wealthy and privileged family.

At a young age, Bodhidharma became interested in Buddhism and decided to become a monk. He traveled to China, where he met the Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty. The Emperor was a devout Buddhist and had built many temples and monasteries. He asked Bodhidharma about his contributions to Buddhism, to which Bodhidharma replied that there was no merit in building temples and performing rituals. This answer impressed the Emperor, who then asked Bodhidharma to teach him about Buddhism.

Bodhidharma's teachings were based on the Mahayana school of Buddhism, which focuses on the direct experience of enlightenment and the concept of emptiness. He emphasized that one must look within oneself to find enlightenment, rather than relying on external rituals and practices. This teaching would later become the foundation of Zen Buddhism.

After staying at the Emperor's court for some time, Bodhidharma continued his journey to spread his teachings. He eventually arrived at the Shaolin Monastery, where he is said to have spent nine years meditating in a cave. During this time, he taught the monks a new form of meditation called "wall-gazing," which involved staring at a blank wall to achieve a state of deep concentration and insight.

Bodhidharma's teachings were not easily accepted by the monks at the Shaolin Monastery, as they were used to a more ritualistic and structured form of Buddhism. However, some monks were drawn to his teachings and became his disciples. These disciples would later spread his teachings and become the first Zen masters.

Bodhidharma's legacy as the founder of Zen Buddhism continued to grow even after his death. His teachings and meditation techniques were passed down through generations, and Zen Buddhism spread to other parts of Asia and eventually the world.

In conclusion, Bodhidharma became the founder of Zen Buddhism through his teachings, travels, and interactions with others. His emphasis on self-discovery and direct experience of enlightenment laid the foundation for Zen Buddhism, which continues to be a popular and influential school of Buddhism today.