Shaolin Kungfu

Shaolin Kungfu: the Unity of Zen and Martial Arts

Shaolin Kung Fu is a traditional Chinese martial arts school originating from Shaolin Temple on Songshan Mountain in Henan Province. With “the unity of Zen and martial arts” as its core, it is the most comprehensive and far-reaching martial arts system in China, known as “All Kungfu under heaven originate from Shaolin“. It is not only a combat skill, but also a complete cultural system integrating Buddhist Zen, Confucian ethics and traditional Chinese medicine health preservation.

Shaolin Kungfu: Historical Origin and Development (Over 1,500 Years)

  • Founded in the Northern Wei Dynasty (495 AD): Emperor Xiaowen built the temple for the Indian monk Batuo. In the early days, monks began to practice Shaolin Kungfu to relieve fatigue, defend against beasts and protect the temple, with representative figures including Seng Chou and Hui Guang.
  • Famous in the Sui and Tang Dynasties (620 AD): Thirteen Monk Warriors Rescued the Tang Emperor, helping Li Shimin pacify Wang Shichong. They were specially permitted by the imperial court to form monk soldiers, making “the temple famous for Shaolin Kungfu” and Shaolin Kungfu reputation known to the world.
  • Prosperous in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644): The system matured, and monk soldiers were conscripted by the imperial court to resist Japanese pirates and defend the border. A complete set of routines for fist, staff, spear and sword was formed, and “Shaolin staff technique is the best under heaven”.
  • Secretly Passed Down in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912): The imperial court banned Shaolin kungfu, and Shaolin suffered suppression. Shaolin kungfu spreading to the folk, evolving into many branches such as Hung Kuen and Wing Chun.
  • Modern Revival (1949 to present): The 1982 film “Shaolin Temple” became popular all over the world. In 2006, Shaolin Kung Fu was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list.

Shaolin Kungfu Core Culture: The Unity of Zen and Kungfu

The soul of Shaolin kungfu is cultivating the mind through Zen and tempering the body through martial arts, integrating Shaolin kungfu practice with Zen enlightenment.

  • Zen and Shaolin kungfu as One: Practicing boxing is practicing Zen. Through concentration, breath regulation and focusing on one point, the state of the unity of movement and stillness, and the unity of mind and hand is achieved.
  • Shaolin Kungfu Ethics: Emphasizing compassion and stopping violence with Shaolin kungfu. Strictly abiding by the “Eight Strikes and Eight Non-Strikes” (clearly defining attacking and forbidden areas) with strict precepts.

Faith Foundation: Integrating the Buddhist belief in Kimnara King (Dharma protector), regarding Shaolin kungfu practice as part of protecting the Dharma and cultivating oneself.

Shaolin Kungfu Technical System: Comprehensive and Profound (Over 700 Routines)

Shaolin kungfu is an authentic representative of external martial arts, with a complete system divided into four categories:

Internal Qigong Methods (Foundation)

  • Shaolin Yijin Jing (Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic): The top divine skill of Shaolin. It mainly focuses on strengthening muscles and bones, dredging meridians and generating internal strength,which is also Beneficial to longevity.
  • Shaolin Xisui Jing (Marrow-Cleansing Classic): It mainly focuses on regulating internal vitality, cleansing the marrow and purifying the body and mind.
  • Shaolin Baduanjin (Eight-Section Brocade) and Luohan Shibashou (Eighteen Arhat Hands): Introductory health-preserving exercises that regulate qi and blood, stretch muscles and bones.
  • Shaolin Hard Qigong: Iron Cloth Shirt and Golden Bell Shield. Through breathing and patting, one can cultivate an invulnerable body and enhance the ability to resist attacks.

Shaolin Boxing (Core, Authentic External Martial Arts)

Characteristics: Valiant, rapid, simple and concise. Emphasizing “fists strike in a straight line, fists strike within the space of a lying ox” (effectively subduing enemies in a narrow space).

  • Shaolin Luohan Quan (Arhat Fist): The foundation for beginners, imitating the demeanor of Arhats, combining hardness with softness and full of Zen meaning.
  • Shaolin Da Hong Quan and Xiao Hong Quan (Big and Small Hung Kuen): “The mother of Shaolin boxing”. With broad and powerful movements, strong and vigorous, magnificent.
  • Shaolin Pao Quan (Cannon Fist), Chang Quan (Long Fist), Mei Hua Quan (Plum Blossom Fist), Xin Yi Ba (Heart-Intent Palm): Each has its own focus, either rapid, agile or steady.

Shaolin Weapons (Famous Worldwide)

  • Shaolin Staff (Supreme): Single Coiled Dragon Staff, Yasha Staff, Eyebrow-Level Staff,shaolin shadow hand staff. It has the power of “a staff strikes a large area” and is a iconic skill of Shaolin.
  • Shaolin Swordsmanship: Plum Blossom Sword, Single Sword, Double Swords. Valiant and fierce, with rapid chopping and slashing.
  • Swordsmanship, Spear Technique, Nine-Section Whip, Convenient Shovel: Covering long, short, hard and soft weapons, with comprehensive techniques.

Shaolin Seventy-Two Unique Skills and Practical Combat Techniques

  • Shaolin Seventy-Two Unique Skills: Unique secret skills such as finger and palm techniques (Golden Vajra Palm), grappling, acupoint pressing, bone dislocating, lightness skill (climbing walls and walking on eaves).
  • Shaolin Practical Sanshou (Free Combat): No fixed moves, adapting to changes randomly, focusing on grappling, fighting and close-range short strikes in real combat.

Shaolin Kungfu Style Characteristics and Training

General Style Principles

  • Valiant and Crisp: Force is exerted simply and directly, aiming at key points, no redundant fancy moves.
  • Offense and Defense Integration: Every move contains defense in offense and offense in defense, with a very fast rhythm.
  • Steady Footwork: Based on the Four-Post Horse Stance, with a solid lower body, as stable as Mount Tai.
  • Shaolin Kungfu Training System
  1. Basic Skills: Stance training (Horse Stance, Bow Stance), leg techniques, waist and abdomen training, strength training (practicing in the severe cold of winter and extreme heat of summer).
  2. Routines: Solo practice (mastering moves) → Pair practice (offense and defense coordination) → Actual combat.
  3. Special Skills: Wooden Man Post, Sandbag Hitting, Iron Sand Palm, Golden Bell Shield and other special hard skills.
  4. Profound Influence
  • Mother of World Martial Arts: Most martial arts schools in the world (such as Hung Kuen, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, etc.) are influenced by it or directly originate from Shaolin Kungfu, with the saying of “All methods return to the origin“.
  • Cultural Symbol: It is the global symbol of Chinese Kung Fu. The Shaolin Monk Martial Arts Troupe tours around the world, establishing hundreds of cultural centers overseas, with more than 60 million learners.
  • Intangible Cultural Heritage Treasure: Included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006, it has become a culture card for Chinese civilization to communicate with the world.