Shaolin - The History
The Shaolin Temple
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The Founders
For over fifteen hundred years the Shaolin Monks from China's Henan Province have applied the discipline of martial arts as a unique manifestation of their religion. The name Shaolin has become synonymous with the finest and most extraordinary feats of discipline, strength and courage; and with the growth in popularity of modern Kung Fu, the reputation of the Shaolin Monks has become established throughout the world.
The Soldier Monks
In
the early years immediately following the founding of the Shaolin Temple
in 495 AD, the first Soldier Monks created a set of eighteen different fighting
actions - the original Kung Fu - which utilised all parts of their bodies.
These were combined with the use of various weapons made from simple farming
tools and were initially a means of providing daily exercise and as a form
of meditation. Later they were used as a means of self defence.
The Defenders
Nowadays the Monks are renowned as much for their peaceful existence as for their elite fighting skills but, as in centuries past, they continue to practice their Kung Fu disciplines and remain ready to defend their Temple.
The Protectors
As the acknowledged founders of Kung Fu, the Shaolin Monks have experienced a turbulent history. Over the past fifteen hundred years they have engaged in battles to protect the Chinese Emperors against warlords and foreign invaders and to defend their Temple against attack. Their involvement in these military campaigns further developed the martial art we know today as Shaolin Kung Fu.
The
Monks Practice Martial Arts
In the year 497AD the scholar monk Buddhabhadra (Ba Yuo in Chinese) left his native India and settled in the Songshan Mountains of Henan Province. He became very interested in Chinese Wushu (martial arts or Kung Fu to Westerners), although it is not known if he received any training himself. His disciples, Seng Chou and Hui Guang, however, perfected their skills, and according to historical records, Seng Chou was able to "walk a wall" and leap up on to a rooftop with one bound to demonstrate the formidable strength in his legs. For Hui Guang, it was said he could keep a shuttlecock in the air by kicking it 500 times without stopping while, at the same time, balancing on the rails of a well. Hui Guang and Seng Chou were the first Shaolin Monks to practice martial arts.
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