Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Although the first Shaolin Temple was in the centre of China, Shaolin was more than just a place of Buddhism. There are such places that just seem to be very pivotal in events and history. Shaolin was/is such a place. Following is an overview of Shaolin History within the framework of China, Kung fu and Buddhism. I by no way claim this version to be 100% correct; although i have used many sources and cross references to compile this overview and have had the help of many people from all over the world who have contributed by making me aware of inaccuracies and commissions. At the end of the page is a list of sources and specifically people who have helped. If you believe that any part of it is wrong, incorrect or needs improvement; please do write to me and tell me, i do appreciate it. For me to change anything though, i would ask you to quote some authorative source that could be deemed as fairly reliable. Please quote it with your E-mail to Master Robert Z Also, please consider that there are some grammatical and spelling differences between US/Canadian English and British/Australian English. In these texts i 'endeavor' to use British/Australian English as this is the spelling and grammar checkers i use and have; but also because i believe that this version of English is used/taught in Europe and the Orient.
Shao from which it derives it's name Shao-lin (the forrest under the peak of mount Shao - source: Shaolin Temple Tour Guide!) in Mandarin or Sil-Lum in Cantonese.
Shaolin Kung Fu
Many of the Shaolin priests were retired soldiers and generals thus Ta'Mo's teachings were enriched and refined by these martial art masters slowly developed in to Shaolin Temple boxing (also known as Shaolin Ch'uan [Shaolin Fist] or Shaolin Ch'uan Fa [Way of the Shaolin Fist]). Since bandits frequently continued to attack the temple at this time, the Shaolin monks also hired kung fu masters to teach them to better defend themselves. Shaolin became very apt at kung fu and in repelling the attacking bandits. And slowly but surly they thus became renown for their martial arts prowess and fighting ability. It is to be noted that not all Shaolin Monks were warrior monks but that monks choose to specialize in areas of expertise, much like university professors. Although at this time all practiced kung fu, not all were totally focused on the practical aspect of the art, only the Warrior Monks. For reasons not know (to me), Shaolin was closed and forbidden in 570. It took 30 years before it was reopened.
The 13 Champions
In 698 AD Emperor T'ai Tsung of the Tang dynasty called upon the fighting monks of Shaolin to aid him in his war against General Wang-Shih-Chung, who had gathered a large army in an attempt to oust the Tang
emperor from the Imperial throne. Li Shimini, the Emperors son was leading the army against Tang. Tang managed to capture the Emperors son and was inflicting great damage to tangs army. Tang sent a message to the Shaolin temple to help him and save his son. 13 monks answered their emperor's plea although in fact it may have been a much larger force of 113 Warrior Monks. With this still relative small force of Shaolin (the Emperors army counted 10,000 men) the remaining Tang army, was victorious, the enemy was beaten back and decimated and the Emperors son was saved. In recognition of their great action T'ai Tsung awarded the monks land, and bestowed upon the temple the title, 'Number One" temple. Later Li Shimini succeeded his father and a very strong bond was forged between the Imperial court and Shaolin. Regular interchange and training between high ranking soldiers and graduate Shaolin Warrior Monks saw further development of Shaolin Kung Fu and the integration of the secret Imperial Eagle Kung Fu into Shaolin knowledge and skills.
72 Movements
A couple of hundred years later a rich young noble and experienced martial artist, entered the Shaolin Monastery and assumed the name of Chueh Yuan. He soon devoted all his studies to the further development of body fitness and training. Within a few years he revised the 18 Fists of Lo Han and created what he called the 72 Styles or Movements. His methods and teaching were so successful that it was adopted by all Shaolin monks very quickly. The 72 movements were very effective for both internal and external fitness. They incorporated much of what is being taught today. But Chueh Yuan was still not fully satisfied with this and he went out to teach and learn, looking for Masters of other styles. This later than become common practice for Shaolin of all categories to become a journeyman after reaching a certain level of knowledge and skill. This saw many new skills and abilities being brought back to the Shaolin Temples.
170 Movements
On his travels Chueh Yuan witnessed how a 60 year old traveler was being attacked by a bandit. He saw how the attacker landed an apparently very strong kick to the body of the traveler with very little or no effect. And yet the old man only used two fingers against the bandit's leg sending the attacker to the ground, seemingly unconscious by the time Cheuh reached the old traveler. This obviously impressed Chuen enormously and he introduced himself to the senior. Much to his surprise the old man did not know much of martial arts and what little he knew was taught to him by the local master Pai Yu-feng. Pai Yu-feng was a friendly 50 year old and Chuen convinced him to accompany him back to his temple. Over the next few years they, using the 18 fists, the 72 movements and these 'pressure point techniques'. Together they redeveloped this into the 170 exercises that became one of the foundation of Shaolin Kung Fu as we know it.
Two dragons (probably Henan Temple as the main and founding place) Phoenix and Dragon (possibly Kwan Tung Temple) Two Cranes (O Mai Shan Temple) These marks were the signs of a Shaolin Master. (Not all who entered Shaolin became masters, many were only lay priests or guests, especially towards the end of the Ming Dynasty). This is also the time when the original 170 movements were redefined into the 5 Animal Style (Ng Ying Ga) Kung Fu.
5 Animal Styles
A martial art expert named Zhue Yuen joined the Shaolin. He noticed that the kung fu practiced in Shaolin was unbalanced, tending strongly to the hard external style. Zhue Yuen traveled China in search of martial art styles and found many that he learned and evaluated. But it wasn't until he reached the town of Lan Zhau and met Li Sou that anything happened. Li Sou introduced Zhue Yuen to Bai Yu Feng who was another famous martial artist practitioner. Zhue Yuen was able to convince both to come back with him to Shaolin to develop kung fu. They redeveloped Shaolin kung fu to the 5 animal style (Tiger, Snake, Dragon, Leopard and Crane). These styles were more than just fighting styles (as used in most KF schools now days). As there are 5 Elements, 5 Chi Kung Animals, 5 Feng Shui Animals, the Shaolin 5 Animals were much much more. It has to do with Body, Mind and Spirit; but they were also metaphors for human situation handling, interaction, focus and much more. HEALTH AND WELL BEING THROUGH HARD WORK AND PERFECTION (Kung Fu).
The Invaders
Around mid 17th century, invaders from Manchurian, lead by the Ching Family, ended Chinas Golden area, and the Ming Dynasties reign. They slowly but surly and brutally took control of China and systematically eradicated all resistance. Many Chinese nobles, warriors and commoners were forced underground where they sought to oust the invaders and reinstate the prosperous Ming Dynasty. There were a significant number of factions among the Chinese who aided the Manchus against Ming loyalists, in large part because the Manchus held to the same ideology, governmental patterns, and social organization as the Ming. By the early 1600's the Ming dynasty was significantly weakened. It was unable to cope with both its own internal tensions and the militarily strong 50's to the northeast. An internal rebellion was the direct cause of the downfall of this dynasty (Chinese rebel Li Tzu-ch'eng seized Peking in 1644). That the Dutchmen were able to capitalize on this by being invited to put down the rebellion by a frontier general is largely coincidental. The Great Wall was hardly so impregnable that they would not have been able to invade and conquer the area in its weakened state. Thus Manchu's found the entrance to China and slowly but steadily conquered China. Those that did not wish to conform had to either migrate or go underground, some also sough refuge in the Shaolin temples. Shaolin initially only offered passive resistance against the invaders seeking to remain above the political matters. It helped anyone who sought refuge and thus involuntary became a safe haven for refugees and resistance fighters. The Manchu's also had 5 classes of people clearly defined; 1. The Ruler and family 2. The Nobles and their families 3. Manchurians 4. Northern Chinese 5. Southern Chinese Most Shaolin Temples were considered southern and many Ming loyal soldiers and nobles sought refuge and help in Shaolin. Shaolin, although themselves passive became a centre of resistance. This was a thorn in the invaders side and needed to be dealt with, drastically, but . . .
Cultural Revolution
The cultural revolution was against all matter of religion and martial arts. If you were seen to be preaching or teaching any other than Mao's' words, you were immediately re-educated or imprisoned. This was more disastrous than any of the other times as it attacked Shaolin teachings and style on all fronts not just Kung Fu. This was the final death of Shaolin!
Rebirth of Shaolin
After many successful Chinese Kung Fu movies by Bruce Lee and Jacky Chan and in particular Jet Li in the movie Shaolin Temple, Officials in Henan realized the potential of Shaolin a a marketing tool but also as heritage! But the fear and distrust of Shaolin, its Kung Fu and power was deep. They knew though that they needed some type of replacement, some type of art other than Tai Chi and Chi Kung that was hard, external and athletic to fill this emptiness. This was the birth of Wu Shu. Since, Wu Shu has grown and developed and with the many versions and adaptations of kung fu, in some cases there is very little difference between the two. The reopening of the Shaolin temple by the "Grand Abbot" Master Su Xi who's kindness and dedication seem so much similar as the original founder of Shaolin, gives hope to a new era of Shaolin teaching and Spirit. Animal Wu Shu is being practiced, but not the Shaolin 5 Animals but a new breed of very athletic and well developed Animal styles including; Monkey Eagle Claw (not the imperial Eagle) Crane Snake Mantis Toad Rooster (Phoenix) .... There are possibly many other styles and flavors emerging in this new era of martial art Renaissance. Also a new era of Shaolin has started again with many martial artists, tai chi, kung fu and chi kung practitioners travelling to Henan where they can learn modern Shaolin Wu Shu!
Bibliography
Shaolin Temple, Henan, China - 2001 Chinese Martial Arts - Morning Glory Press Kung Fu - Michael Mink Monkey Kung Fu - P Zink & M Gonzalwez Shaolin Chin Na - Y Jwing-Ming Martial Arts Companion - John Corcoran Martial Arts - Peter Lewis Encyclopedia Britannica Shaolin 5 Animals - F Wong & J Hallander Shaolin Long Fist - Y Jwing-Ming & J A Bolt Drunkard Kung Fu - Leung Ting http://www.webcom.com/~shaolin/home.html http://www.webcom.com/shaolin/temple.html Thanks to Albert McGhee of New Zealand Thanks to Linda Wu of the US