Shaolin History

INTRODUCTION

Shaolin Kung Fu, or Shaolin Chuan as it is properly called, is probably the best known Chinese martial art.

Shaolin Chuan and Kung Fu are used generically to indicate any style of Chinese martial art.

At Shao-Shih, Bodhidharma (Da Mo to the Chinese) founded the Little/Young Forrest Temple, which many know as Shaolin. In doing this he also became the first Patriarch of Ch'an (to the Japanese, Zen) Buddhism.

There are over four hundred styles of Chinese boxing, Shaolin is only one of that four hundred.

Shaolin Chuan is an external style which usually begins as an external style and after a few years progresses to a more internal orientation.

As an external style, Shaolin utilizes physical strengths and weaknesses of bone, muscle, sinews, and mind. Shaolin is the amalgamation of many styles and techniques as refined by the monks of Shaolin Monastery.

There are two major divisions of Shaolin. Northern - Bei Chuan (Northern Boxing) - which is a balance of hand and foot techniques and Southern - Nan Chuan (Southern Boxing) - a predominance of hand techniques.

China Hand Kung Fu Academy teaches techniques and forms from the Northern Shaolin System.

PHILOSOPHY & HISTORY OF THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE

The basic philosophy of Shaolin is Buddhist, tempered with Taoist and Confucian thought. Long before Shaolin became known for its martial arts, it was known as a place of great learning. It was renowned for its translations of Buddhist sutras from Sanskrit into Chinese.

They were often attributed with supernatural powers. Mostly their accomplishments were brought about by superior training and intelligence.

Myths about those who were trained inside the monastery have never been proved or disproved. Such feats as: flying, walking on water, vanishing, seeing through solid objects, etc., were among the attributes of the Shaolin Monks.

Monks of the Fukien Temple were reputed to have chopped wood for their stoves with their bare hands because bladed weapons were forbidden to the monks.

90% of the success or failure in Shaolin Chuan is literally in your hands (and feet).

SHAOLIN CHUAN

As a Martial Art

As a Health Exercise

As a Performance

BRIEF CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY

495 A.D. Era of North/South Division 16 Kingdoms period 316-589	Original Temple built by the Emperor Hsiao-Wen-Ti of the Northern Wei Dynasty.
512-527 Sui 581-618	Da Mo (Bodhidharma) visits Temple and eventually becomes the Temple Master. He develops a series of exercises designed to strengthen the bodies of the scholarly monks and calls it the "18 Lohan" (18 Budda Disciples).
621 T'ang 618 - 907	13 Shao Lin monks aid T'ang Emperor T'ai-Tsung in suppressing a rebellion led by Wang Shih Ch'ung.
900 5 Dynasty Era 907-960 Sung 960-1127 Southern Sung 1127-1279 Yuan Mongol) 1264-1368	Monks from Sung Shan (original Temple) establish five more Shao Lin Monasteries at; Wu Tang Shan, Chiu-Lien Shan, Hua Shan, Shantung, and Kwan Tung.
1368-1644 Ming 1368- 1644	During Ming Dynasty Shao Lin monks aid in suppressing raids by Japanese pirates.
1662-1723 Ching 1644-1911	Ching Dynasty Emperor Sheng Tau orders the destruction of Chiu-Lien Temple.
1723-1736	Ching Dynasty Emperor Shih Tsung orders the destruction of the Shao Shih or Sung Shan Temple. Only five monks escape
1928 Republic of China 1911-1949	Shao Shih Temple catches fire and burns for forty days. Almost all of the Classical literature (the texts went back as far as 1,600 years) was destroyed.
1930	Last Buddhist monk ordained at Shao Lin Temple.
1967-1977 Peoples Republic of China 1949 to Present	"Cultural" revolutionaries, the Red Guard desecrate Shao Shih and harass the few remaining monks.
1983	Restoration of Temple by Government, only 7 monks, 11 disciples in Shaolin