Bodhidharma (Daruma), Zen Master: Patron of Those Who Meditate and Those Who Practice Martial Arts, Handmade Medallion

This is a handmade medal of Bodhidharma (Japanese, Daruma), one of the most important Zen masters in history. I design, carve, and cast the medals (parts of the process ares shown in the last three photos). The medals are made of lead-free pewter and have designs on both sides. Each one comes in a jewelry pouch with a small booklet that gives the history of Bodhidharma. The medal comes with a jump ring, so it can be attached to any chain you have. And it comes with a split ring (see packaging photo) for use on a key chain. A brief summary of the history given in the booklet is this:

One story about Bodhidharma was that he once sat for nine years, meditating, facing a wall in cave, at the end of it coming to satori, enlightenment, the direct perception of reality as it is.... In various sources he is also credited with originating martial arts, in part to keep monks in shape for long hours of meditation and in part as a form, somewhat like meditating, of dancing with the Tao. Because of these stories, Bodhidharma is a fit patron of all who meditate and seek wisdom and of those who practice martial arts. His connection with tea stems from the following story: during his nine years of meditating in a cave, at one point he dozed off; this so infuriated him that he cut off his eyebrows, which, when they fell to the ground, became the first tea plants; after that tea and meditation became associated, the former helping with long sessions of the latter.

Dimensions of the medal: 1.25 (h) x .9 (w) inches