Bodhidharma, also known as Daruma in Japan, is a legendary figure in the history of Zen Buddhism. He is believed to have been the founder of the Zen school of Buddhism and is credited with bringing the teachings of Buddhism from India to China. However, despite his significant role in the development of Zen Buddhism, there are no surviving writings or records of Bodhidharma's teachings.

According to historical accounts, Bodhidharma was born in India in the 5th century and was a prince of the Pallava dynasty. He was a disciple of the Buddhist master Prajnatara and was trained in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. However, Bodhidharma's teachings were not well received in India, and he was encouraged to travel to China to spread the teachings of Buddhism there.

Bodhidharma arrived in China in the 6th century and is said to have resided in the Shaolin Monastery. It was during his time at the Shaolin Monastery that he is believed to have developed the practice of meditation and physical exercises known as "Chan" in Chinese, which later became known as "Zen" in Japan. However, there are no written records or texts that can confirm this.

One of the reasons why there are no surviving writings or records of Bodhidharma's teachings is that he believed in the transmission of knowledge through direct experience rather than written texts. He is famously quoted as saying, "A special transmission outside the scriptures; no dependence on words and letters." This means that Bodhidharma believed that the true understanding of Buddhism could only be achieved through personal experience and not through written texts.

Another reason for the absence of Bodhidharma's teachings could be the turbulent times he lived in. The 6th century was a period of political unrest in China, with frequent invasions and wars. This could have led to the destruction of many written texts, including those of Bodhidharma's teachings.

Despite the lack of written records, Bodhidharma's teachings were passed down orally from generation to generation by his disciples. It was not until the 8th century that the first written records of Bodhidharma's teachings appeared in the form of the "Two Entrances and Four Practices" and the "Bloodstream Sermon." However, these texts are considered to be unreliable as they were written centuries after Bodhidharma's death.

In conclusion, there are no surviving writings or records of Bodhidharma's teachings. However, his teachings continue to be passed down through the Zen tradition, and his legacy lives on in the practice of meditation and physical exercises in Zen Buddhism. Bodhidharma's emphasis on direct experience and the transmission of knowledge through personal interaction continues to be a fundamental aspect of Zen Buddhism, making him a revered figure in the history of Buddhism.