| Revision as of 04:10, 27 July 2005 editKennethtennyson (talk | contribs)1,225 editsm →Current theories← Previous edit | Revision as of 11:30, 27 July 2005 edit undoJFD (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users7,235 edits Cleaned up overview, made "Traditional Legends" more, well, legendaryNext edit → | ||
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| Shaolin ], or to use the more correct term, '''Shàolínquán''' (]: 少林拳; literally "Shaolin Fist"), are those ] with their origins in the ] in ], ]. | |||
| There are a few theories as to its origins, some based on traditional legends. | |||
| == |
==Legendary History== | ||
| The ] monk ] (Chinese ]: ''Pútídámó''; commonly shortened to "Damo") crossed distant mountains and seas to preach the ] in ]. | |||
| One of the more popular legends that exist relate the founding of Shaolin quan by the semilegendary Indian (or Persian, depending on sources) monk, Bodhidharma. According to the '']'' and the '']'', the monk ] (Chinese ]: ''Pútídámó'' or simply ''Dámó'') arrived at the Shaolin temple soon after his departure from the court of the ] in 527. | |||
| Upon his arrival at the Shaolin temple he found the monks in poor health and unable to endure the long sessions of meditation he introduced. | |||
| Damo retreated to a nearby cave and meditated for 9 years. | |||
| Damo is said to have come to ] to introduce the ] of Buddhism known as ] (]: ]). Upon his arrival at the temple he found the monks in poor health and unable to endure the long sessions of meditation he introduced. (There are many versions of the Damo legend; this is one of the more common). Damo taught the monks exercises that developed the stamina necessary for prolonged meditation. Accounts generally include the "]" exercises among them and, depending on the source, the "Brain/Marrow Cleansing" exercises and/or the ]. Other versions of the legend state that he discovered these meditative exercises after meditating without moving in a cave in China for nine years. The monks of Shaolin later incorporated Damo's exercises into the practice of existing martial arts. This was the birth of what is today known as '''Shaolin Quan''' ("Shaolin Boxing" or literally "Shaolin Fist"). | |||
| During this time Damo created two exercise regimens: the "]" exercises and the "]" exercises. | |||
| The monks of Shaolin combined Damo's exercises with existing martial arts. | |||
| This was the birth of Shaolin Kung-fu. | |||
| ==Current theories== | ==Current theories== | ||
| The problem with the traditional view relating Bodhidharma to |
The problem with the traditional view relating Bodhidharma to Shaolinquan by most historians is that most legends relating his meditative exercises with Shaolin Quan were written centuries after his death. Further, most stories relating to his life in general are conflicting and some improbable. Also, these stories are also tied to other legends such as his discovery of tea after cutting his eyelids off. Records exist showing that martial arts were taught at the Shaolin temple by the ] century C.E. and without a doubt, by the ]-] century C.E., the Shaolin monks were actively utilizing early Quan Fa. This would suggest that sometime around the 7th century A.D., the monks began to actively train in the early Shaolin quan style. What would dispute the Bodhidharma theory is that Shaolin records speak of two fighting monks with martial arts skills , Hwei Keung and Sung Chou, who lived at the temple prior to the arrival of Bodhidharma. Further, archeologists have discovered manuscripts that predate the Shaolin temple's construction and Boddhidharma's arrival with illustrations closely matching the meditative exercises that Bodhidharma is attributed to having created. | ||
| Many kung fu (wushu) styles exist to this date that predate the Shaolin style of kung fu in China, such as ] (at least 1000 B.C.E) and martial arts styles that take their inspiration from animals (220 A.D.). Prior to the Shaolin monks, the martial arts were practiced mainly by the military. Historical records state that the Shaolin temple housed soldiers from 528 C.E. onwards and that the monks accepted into their order retired military officers. This would be important centuries later, as the Shaolin temple served as a haven for martial arts masters and rebels during times of repression, such as the Ming dynasties. It is currently believed that the Shaolin style of kung Fu (Wushu), with its focus on religion and philosophical thought, developed from an interplay between the military personnel who were housed at the temple and the Buddhist monks. | Many kung fu (wushu) styles exist to this date that predate the Shaolin style of kung fu in China, such as ] (at least 1000 B.C.E) and martial arts styles that take their inspiration from animals (220 A.D.). Prior to the Shaolin monks, the martial arts were practiced mainly by the military. Historical records state that the Shaolin temple housed soldiers from 528 C.E. onwards and that the monks accepted into their order retired military officers. This would be important centuries later, as the Shaolin temple served as a haven for martial arts masters and rebels during times of repression, such as the Ming dynasties. It is currently believed that the Shaolin style of kung Fu (Wushu), with its focus on religion and philosophical thought, developed from an interplay between the military personnel who were housed at the temple and the Buddhist monks. | ||
Revision as of 11:30, 27 July 2005
Shaolin Kung-fu, or to use the more correct term, Shàolínquán (Chinese: 少林拳; literally "Shaolin Fist"), are those Chinese martial arts with their origins in the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, China. There are a few theories as to its origins, some based on traditional legends.
Legendary History
The Buddhist monk Bodhidharma (Chinese pinyin: Pútídámó; commonly shortened to "Damo") crossed distant mountains and seas to preach the dharma in China. Upon his arrival at the Shaolin temple he found the monks in poor health and unable to endure the long sessions of meditation he introduced. Damo retreated to a nearby cave and meditated for 9 years. During this time Damo created two exercise regimens: the "Muscle/Tendon Changing" exercises and the "Brain/Marrow Cleansing" exercises. The monks of Shaolin combined Damo's exercises with existing martial arts. This was the birth of Shaolin Kung-fu.
Current theories
The problem with the traditional view relating Bodhidharma to Shaolinquan by most historians is that most legends relating his meditative exercises with Shaolin Quan were written centuries after his death. Further, most stories relating to his life in general are conflicting and some improbable. Also, these stories are also tied to other legends such as his discovery of tea after cutting his eyelids off. Records exist showing that martial arts were taught at the Shaolin temple by the 7th century C.E. and without a doubt, by the 8th-10th century C.E., the Shaolin monks were actively utilizing early Quan Fa. This would suggest that sometime around the 7th century A.D., the monks began to actively train in the early Shaolin quan style. What would dispute the Bodhidharma theory is that Shaolin records speak of two fighting monks with martial arts skills , Hwei Keung and Sung Chou, who lived at the temple prior to the arrival of Bodhidharma. Further, archeologists have discovered manuscripts that predate the Shaolin temple's construction and Boddhidharma's arrival with illustrations closely matching the meditative exercises that Bodhidharma is attributed to having created.
Many kung fu (wushu) styles exist to this date that predate the Shaolin style of kung fu in China, such as Shuai Chiao (at least 1000 B.C.E) and martial arts styles that take their inspiration from animals (220 A.D.). Prior to the Shaolin monks, the martial arts were practiced mainly by the military. Historical records state that the Shaolin temple housed soldiers from 528 C.E. onwards and that the monks accepted into their order retired military officers. This would be important centuries later, as the Shaolin temple served as a haven for martial arts masters and rebels during times of repression, such as the Ming dynasties. It is currently believed that the Shaolin style of kung Fu (Wushu), with its focus on religion and philosophical thought, developed from an interplay between the military personnel who were housed at the temple and the Buddhist monks.
Later Development
Shaolin Quan began to take the shape we see today during the Ming Dynasty (14th-17th centuries). Typically within the Shaolin system, there are ten empty hand "sets" and many different weapons. Weapons training will vary from school to school. Shaolin practitioners are historically well known for their ability to endure hardship as well as their training with the distinctive steel monk's spade, iron staff and spear.
Schools of Shaolin
The two main schools of Shaolin Quan are the Temple style and the Northern style (Cantonese: Bak Siu Lum). Both of these consist of ten hand sets and although similar in technique the sets are completely different.
Southern Shaolin is famous for its Five Animals, styles adapted from imitating the motions of the animals in question for martial applications.
Influence
Shaolin Quan is credited as the ancestor of hundreds of other widely practised styles, such as Hung Gar and Shorinji Kenpo. Martial arts traditions in both Japan and Korea cite Chinese influence as transmitted by monks.