Aryasimha
Aryasimha , 師子尊者 (n.d.) (Skt; Jpn Shishi-sonja) - Twenty-fourth Indian patriarch of the Zen school. He lived in
central India during the sixth century. When Aryasimha was propagating
Buddhism in Kashmir in northern India, King Dammira
(Sanskrit unknown), an enemy of Buddhism, destroyed many
Buddhist temples and stupas and murdered a number of priests. He
finally beheaded Aryasimha. It is said that instead of blood, pure
white milk gushed from Aryasimha’s neck.”
Also known as the Venerable Aryasimha.
The last of Shakyamuni Buddha's twenty-three or twenty-four successors, who lived in central India during the sixth century.
A History of the Buddha's Successors states that, when Aryasimha was propagating Buddhism in Kashmir in ancient India, King Mirakutsu (also known as Dammira, both names are Japanese transliterations;
the original Sanskrit is unknown), who was hostile to Buddhism, destroyed many Buddhist temples and stupas, and murdered a number of monks.
Aryasimha was among those beheaded by the king.
When he was beheaded, the text states, milk instead of blood flowed from his neck.
According to The Record of the Lineage of the Buddha and the Patriarchs, at the moment of the execution, the king's arm, still holding the sword, fell to the ground, and he died seven days later.
Aryasimha is often cited as the epitome of willingness to give up one's life for the sake of the Law. </poem>
