Huike(487-593) the Second Patriarch of Zen Buddhism was the first disciple of Bodhidharma. He had been called Shenguang and a scholar in Buddhist scriptures and classical Chinese texts. He went through much suffering came to Shaolin Monastery and was eager to take Bodhidharma as his teacher, but was refused initially. Not getting disheartened, he stayed by Bodhidharma when the master practiced his "wall-gazing" in the cave. One winter day Bodhidharma practiced zazen in the backyard till midnight when snowed. Shenguang stood outside all night. In the morning Bodhidharma saw Shenguang still stood there with snow reached his knees, he asked him why he was there. Shenguang replied that he wanted Dharma from Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma refused saying,"Only if the snow was red." Shenguang pulled out a knife and cut off his left arm, his blood splashed on the snow. Bodhidharma was moved by his resolve, then accepted him as a student, and changed his name to Huike.

When Bodhidharma passed away in 536(or 528), Huike took over his mantle, became the Second Patriarch of Zen Buddhism.(Essay: Liu Tao      Chinese Zen Buddhism)