If you can focus your mind so that you illumine what is within, the constant light of your awareness and scrutiny will eradicate the three poisons and forever make them melt away and disappear, so that the six thieves will not invade you and create disturbances. Your numberless spiritual qualities, all manner of spiritual adornments and untold gates to the Dharma, will all be naturally perfected through and through.
– Litany of Bodhidharma Bodhisattva
Bodhidharma came from Southern India around 500CE. He was the 28th Ancestor line going back to Shakyamuni Buddha, and brought the Zen (Chan) tradition to China where he propagated it widely.
This annual festival ceremony is usually held in October.
The picture on the right depicts Bodhidharma practising sitting meditation, facing the wall of his cave.