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Revision as of 19:27, 13 February 2007 by Freedom skies (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) This article is about a matter under debate within the martial arts.See also Bodhidharma, the martial arts, and the disputed India connection.
Foreign influence on Chinese martial arts, or more specifically, Shaolin Kung Fu, is endorsed by the traditional Shaolin temple claims and the claims of a large number of martial arts historians. Both versions agree that while organized martial traditions in China predate the establishment of the Shaolin temple, foreign influence was vital on Shaolin's approach to institutionalized martial arts in China.
Centres of foreign influence
Earliest evidence of martial arts is found in Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. A Babylonian copper stand, dating from the third Millennium B.C., shows two men trying to unbalance each other by controlling the hip. There was an extensive maritime trade network operating between the Indus Valley and Mesopotamian civilizations as early as the middle Harappan Phase, with much commerce being handled by the "middlemen merchants from Dilmun". Ancient Egypt had trading relations with India. Ancient Greece was in contact with India before Alexander the Great's invasion. The Greek Pankration system was practiced by Alexander the Great's army. It has been suggested that over time, concepts in primitive martial arts spread east to India, where they fell on fertile ground and began their development in relationship to Yoga, dharma, and dharmic religions, and were eventually transmitted to China. Historians, notably Tatsuo Suzuki, Hirokazu Kanazawa, and Masutasu Oyama have asserted on the possible Greek influence on Chinese martial arts.
Chinese wrestling is the oldest fighting system in China. This practice was later influenced by Mongolian sportive practices.
Establishment of the Shaolin temple
The Indian dhyana master Buddhabhadra (Chinese: 跋陀; pinyin: Bátuó) was the founding abbot and patriarch of the Shaolin temple.
According to the Deng Feng County Recording (Deng Feng Xian Zhi), Bátuó came to China in 464 CE to preach Nikaya (小乘) Buddhism. Thirty-one years later, in 495, the Shaolin Monastery was built by the order of Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei for Batuo's preaching. The temple originally consisted of a round dome used as a shrine and a platform where Indian and Chinese monks translated Indian Buddhist scriptures into native Chinese languages.
Bodhidharma
Origins of Bodhidharma
The major accounts regarding the origins of Bodhidharma are given by Yáng Xuànzhī, Tanlin and Daoxuan.
According to Yáng Xuànzhī:
At that time there was a monk of the Western Region named Bodhidharma, a Persian Central Asian. He traveled from the wild borderlands to China.
— Yang Xuanzhi, The Record of the Buddhist Monasteries of Lo-yang (547)
Jeffrey Broughton notes that Yáng Xuànzhī may have been referring to a different monk named Bodhidharma, as he mentions a Bodhidharma twice.
Bodhidharma's original name was Bodhitara. The suffix "dharma" means duty in context of Dharmic religions. Yáng Xuànzhī may have been honoring another dharma teacher with the suffix (of dharma). There have been other Indian monks sharing the prefix of "Bodhi" (Sanskrit word for "awakening" or "enlightenment"), such as Bodhiruci, regarded as the patriarch of the Ti-Lun School.
The claim that Bodhidharma was South Indian has its origins in Tanlin's preface to the Two Entrances and Four Acts.
The Dharma Master was a South Indian of the Western Region. He was the third son of a great Indian King.
— Tanlin, The Two Entrances and Four Acts (pre-645)
Daoxuan adds more detail concerning Bodhidharma's origins, writing that he was "of South Indian Brahman stock" (南天竺婆羅門種 nán tiānzhú póluómén zhŏng).
Bodhidharma of South Indian Brahman stock.
— Daoxuan, Xu Gaoseng Zhuan (645)
Broughton notes that Bodhidharma's royal pedigree implies that he was of the Kshatriya warrior caste, though South Indian inscriptions in the 4th and 5th centuries imply that the Pallava dynasty also had Brahmin origins; hence, they may have belonged to the caste of Braham-Kshatriya (Brahmin in origin and Kshatriya by profession). Other Indian social groups, such as the Nairs and the Kayasthas, also adhere to more than one varnas.
Bodhidharma's influence
Bodhidharma is credited with the establishment of the Chan and Zen sects of Buddhism. Bodhidharma arrived in China during the 5th century. He stayed and taught for several years in the Shaolin temple.
Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit, 4th generation successor of the Southern Shaolin Monastery writes :-
It was during this time that the Venerable Bodhidharma came from India to China to spread Buddhism. In 527 CE he settled down in the Shaolin monastery in Henan province, and inspired the development of Shaolin Kung Fu. This marked a watershed in the history of Kung Fu, because it led to a change of course, as Kung Fu became institutionalized. Before this, martial arts were known only in general sense.
Chinese martial arts, like martial arts of Greece and India, have existed before the arrival of Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma's status in martial arts is due to his role in the institutionalization of Chinese martial arts, presumably by introducing exercises, meditation, discipline, newer techniques etc. to the native fighting methods during his tenure at the Shaolin monastery.
In addition to being a master of Dhyana, Bodhidharma is also related to Yogacara (Sanskrit: "Practice of Yoga " ). He is described as a "master of the Lankavatara Sutra", and an early history of Zen in China is titled "Record of the Masters and Disciples of the Lankavatara Sutra" (Chin. Leng-ch'ieh shih-tzu chi).
It has also been suggested that these techniques which are the foundation for many martial arts today were never originally intended to be utilized as methods of fighting but were a manner in which the monks could attain enlightenment while preserving their bodies' health. Gichin Funakoshi writes that during lectures on Buddhism, a number of Bodhidharma's followers succumbed to exhaustion. Daruma then presented method of developing the mind and body. The method is contained in the Ekkin Kyo (Ekkin Sutra). With it, the monks were able to recover their spiritual and physical strength.
Similarities
Historians have noted foreign influences on aspects of Chinese culture, such as mythology (Sun Wukong and Guan Yin, which were influenced by Hanumana and Avalokiteshvara respectively ) and architecture (Pagodas influenced by Buddhist Stupas) in the past.
The similarities between arts of India and Chinese martial arts have also been noted by martial arts practitioners, historians and news organisations.
Around the 3rd century BC, Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras, which taught how to meditate single-mindedly on points located inside one's body, which was used in later martial arts, while various mudra finger movements were taught in Yogacara Buddhism. These Yoga elements, as well as finger movements in the nata dances, were later incorporated into various martial arts.
References to martial arts are found in early Buddhist texts. The Lotus Sutra also categorized combat techniques as joint locks, fist strikes, grapples, and throws, and also referred to a martial art with dance-like movements called Nara. Other stories suggest that Siddhartha Gautama was a champion wrestler and archer before becoming the Buddha.
Knowledge of the Indian arts was carried into China by Buddhist monks. Joyotpaul Chaudhuri notes that far too much attention is given to the Bodhidharma alone. Buddhist monks were active in China before Bodhidharma.
The Lankavatara Sutra repeatedly refers to the 108 steps. The 108 of the Yang long form and Wing Chun, taught by Yip Man having 108 movements are noted in this regard. The similarities between the posture of the "Nataraja" and bong sau and bong gurk in one hand and one foot position are also noted. The Chinese school of martial arts agrees with the South Indian school of martial arts on the principle of 108 pressure points.
The foreign connection with China's martial heritage is marked visually in several ways within the Shaolin temple. A significant aspect in this respect is the Shaolin wall painting. The painting depicts Chinese and Indian monks practicing martial arts together for spirtual edification. Doshin So, the founder of Shorinji Kempo, has described the paintings as his main inspiration.
The pavillion named after Bodhidharma is in the main building of the Shaolin monastary, the First patricarch temple built in his honor still stands in the monastary complex some distance from the main building, and the cave behind the building is still called the Bodhidharma cave. The koan "What is the intention of the first patriarch coming from the west?" was frequently used to test the student' development in Zen cultivation.
Historians have also noted that Indian works of art and particularly in temple sculptures show warriors in positions similar to modern day East Asian martial arts.
Kalaripayattu and Chinese martial arts have division into Northern and Southern styles, separation of systems and techniques into "external" and "internal" categories, medical tradition (Ayurveda), vital points discipline, spiritual aspect and weapons training tradition. In some systems the empty hand arts are secondary - as in some South-East Asian martial disciplines.
Similarities were also recorded by the British Broadcasting Corporation in a television documentary in 1981 titled "Kalari, the Indian way" which noted that a Southern Kalaripayattu practitioner performed martial arts identical to one found in a branch lineage from the Wong-Hon-Wing line of Tibetan Hop-Gar Kung-Fu.
The Discovery Channel also notes "Possibly the oldest martial art in the world, Kalarippayattu is still being practiced widely today in the Indian state of Kerala. Shaolin chuan is said to have evolved from Kalarippayattu."
Views from the martial arts community
The foreign influence is noted in the works of prominent figures across the martial arts community, including Charles C. Goodin, Hidetaka Nishiyama, Simmone Kuo, Lawrence Galante, Robert Scaglione, George A. Kirby, and George E. Mattson.
Academic authors related to martial arts, including Bruce A. Haines, Joyotpaul Chaudhari, Howard Reid, Howard W. French and Christopher Wren have noted the foreign influence. Encyclopedia Brittanica and Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki note the Indian foundation of Zen/Chan.
The foreign influence has been recognized by legendary martial arts practitioners and authorities, including Steve De Masco, Dr. William Durbin, Jhoon Rhee, Doshin So, Chojun Miyagi, Funakoshi Gichin, Wong Kiew Kit, Tadashi Nakamura, Carlos Machado, Royler Gracie and Rickson Gracie.
Reputed organizations such as the British Broadcasting Corporation, the New York Times, The Hindu and the Discovery Channel to name a few, have also taken a note of the foreign influence.
Claims that that Chinese martial arts are independent of any foreign influence have been rejected by prestigious martial arts institutions, including the Gracie family, Gracie Barra, International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Florida Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the Shaolin temple.
In addition, journalists and writers, including June Lordi, Cezar Borkowski, Robin L. Rielly, Liow Kah Joon and Kah Joon Liow, Annellen M Simpkins and C Alexander Simpkins, Bruce Thomas, Thomas D. Seabourne and Yeon Hwan Park, Stephen Kuei, Pat Zukeran, Ervin de Castro, BJ Oropeza and Ron Rhodes, Prof. J. Roe, P. E. Katzer, Jess O'Brien and Tony Sims have noted the foreign influence on Chinese martial arts.
Opposing theories
Further information: Bodhidharma, the martial arts, and the disputed India connectionMost accounts of martial arts history have credited the foreign influence. Given the long history of cultural exchange between China and her neighbors, claiming an absolute lack of foreign influence within the Chinese martial arts may be extreme -- though the extent and manner of influence is subject to debate.
A number of martial arts historians have conducted independent research on this matter and have reached separate conclusions. Some criticisms of the "Foreign Influence" theory have included:
- Questions on whether Bodhidharma provided more than simply religious influence upon China.
- Questions on whether Bodhidharma was simply a legendary character.
- Disputes over the dating of texts supposedly written by Bodhidharma.
Of note, these historians are not without criticism either. For example, historian Matsuda Ryuchi dates the Yi Jin Jing, a text often associated with Bodhidharma, to 1827. Another historian however, Lin Boyuan, dates it to over two centuries earlier in 1624. Ling Tingkan concluded that the author of the Yì Jīn Jīng must have been an "ignorant village master." This claim has also been rejected by Lin Boyuan who attributes the Yì Jīn Jīng to the Taoist priest Zining writing in 1624. Historian Paul Pelliot presents a version claiming that Bodhidharma did not exist at all, he is an entirely fictional creation, a proposal which conflicts with results of research conducted by Matsuda Ryuchi, Lin Boyuan and Ling Tingkan.
References
- Shaolin.cn.com
- The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
- ^ "Of Monks and Martial Arts"; Sept. 11, 1983; New York Times
- African Martial Arts Homepage
- Official Gracie Miami Websites: History of BJJ
- Neyland, R.S. (1992) “The seagoing vessels on Dilmun seals”, in D.H. Keith & T.L. Carrell (ed.), Underwater archaeology proceedings of the Society for Historical Archaeology Conference at Kingston, Jamaica 1992 pp. 68-74. Tucson (AZ): Society for Historical Archaeology.
- Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Maritime Spice Route Between India, Egypt. Publication: Popular-Science.Net. Date: April 1, 2004
- New Proof Of Ancient India's Flourishing Trade With Rome by Anand Parthasarathy
- History and backgroud of Pankration
- The Roots of Martial Arts
- Martial Arts-Basic History by Rick Gill
- Kalari Payatt: Martial Art Of India by Steve Richards 2002
- History and backgroud of Pankration
- The Method of Chinese Wrestling By Tong Zhongyi, Zhongyi Tong, Tim Cartmell
- Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals: A Historical Survey By Brian L. Kennedy, Elizabeth Guo (248)
- Faure, Bernard. Chan Insights and Oversights: an epistemological critique of the Chan tradition, Princeton University Press, 1993. ISBN 0-691029-02-4
- The Founder Of Shaolinsi The founder of Shaolinsi
- Kungfu History at EasternMartialArts.com
- Legacy of Shaolin Fighting Monks by Salvatore Canzonieri
- Broughton 1999:54
- Broughton 54
- Denkoroku: Record of the Transmission of Luminosity by Keizan Jokin zenji, translated by Anzan Hoshin roshi and Joshu Dainen zenji
- "Western Region" is the Chinese literary term for the region that encompasses the territory between present-day Kazakhstan in the north and the tip of the Indian subcontinent in the south. "The Dharma Master was from South India, which is part of the Western Region" is a valid interpretation of this sentence.
- Broughton, Jeffrey L. (1999). The Bodhidharma Anthology: The Earliest Records of Zen. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-21972-4.
- Dumoulin (2005), 87
- Dumoulin, Heinrich (2005). Zen Buddhism: A History, India and China. Bloomington: World Wisdom. ISBN 0-941532-89-5.
- Broughton 2
- Mahajan 705–707
- Concise Encyclopedia Brittanica Article on Bodhidharma
- The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
- The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
- Encyclopedia Britannica Article: Yogacara
- The five holy mountains
- Our Martial Arts History and Tradition: A Brief History Of Kempo by Prof. J. Roe
- Systematic study and training in ancient Chinese discipline of Shaolin Kung Fu Wushu for holistic health and self-defense, including the study of various aspects of Eastern philosophy and religions - International Curriculum Proposal
- Karate-dō kyōhan: the master text By Gichin Funakoshi ("Although the way of Buddha is preached for the soul, the body and the soul are inseparable. As I look now, I think it is likely you will not complete your training because of your exhaustion. For this reason, I shall give you a method by which you can develop your physical strength enough to enable yourselves to attain the essence of the way of Buddha." - page 6)
- Karate-dō kyōhan: the master text By Gichin Funakoshi (page 6)
- ^ J. R. Svinth (2002). A Chronological History of the Martial Arts and Combative Sports. Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences.
- The creation of Goddess of mercy from Aalokitesvara by Bagyalakshmi]
- Chinese Steles: pre-Buddhist and Buddhist use of a symbolic form By Dorothy C. Wong
- Kalari Payatt: Martial Art Of India by Steve Richards 2002
- The Bodhisattva warriors : the origin, inner philosophy, history, and symbolism of the Buddhist martial art within India and China by Terence Dukes (1994). Publisher: York Beach, Me. ISBN 0877287856
- The Spiritual Legacy of Shaolin Temple: Buddhism, Daoism, and the Energetic Arts - Page 78 by Andy James
- A Historical Prespective: The Origins of Kwon Bup, Chuan Fa, Kempo, Kuntao by Ian A. Cyrus, 9th Dan, Headmaster, Choson Kwon Bup International Chosondo Federation
- History of Taekwondo. University Martial Arts Association.
- Tim Steinwachs. History of Karate.
- Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts: Koryu Uchinadi by Patrick McCarthy
- 108 STEPS: The Sino-Indian Connection in the Martial Arts by Joyotpaul Chaudhuri
- 108 STEPS: The Sino-Indian Connection in the Martial Arts by Joyotpaul Chaudhuri
- Subramaniam Phd., P., (general editors) Dr. Shu Hikosaka, Asst. Prof. Norinaga Shimizu, & Dr. G. John Samuel, (translator) Dr. M. Radhika (1994). Varma Cuttiram வர்ம சுத்திரம்: A Tamil Text on Martial Art from Palm-Leaf Manuscript. Madras: Institute of Asian Studies. pp. 90 & 91.
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has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Reid Phd., Howard, Michael Croucher (1991). The Way of the Warrior: The Paradox of the Martial Arts. New York: Outlook Press. pp. 58–85. ISBN 0879514337.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Zen Arts: An Anthropological Study of the Culture of Aesthetics Form in Japan By Rupert A. Cox, Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (page 157)
- History of Shorinji Kempo compiled by R. Codling
- UWE Shorinji Kempo club Since his first visit to the Shaolin Temple, Doshin So had been impressed with the wall paintings which depicted Indian and Chinese monks training and enjoying themselves together. This method of training together stood in contrast to his own training, and he developed the idea that training should be a collaboration between partner, for the purpose of mutual progress. In Japanese this concept is expressed as "otagai renshu" (training for each other) or "jita kyoraku" (enjoying things with other people).
- Shorinji Kempo by Richard Killion - Dragon Times #14 The symbol of Shorinji Kempo is an commonly seen Buddhist symbol of Indian origin, and great antiquity. In Japan it is used to denote a Buddhist temple, on maps and the symbol itself is displayed in and around the temples. The religious device is composed of four Ls at right angles to each other similar to, but not to be confused with the swastika used in Nazi Germany which is its mirror image. Another form of the Manji in Shorinji Kempo is two flowing lines within a circle, somewhat similar to a double yin-yang symbol. This modified symbol commonly used in Shorinji Kempo dojos in the West.
- The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment By Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit (page 186)
- Complete Book of Zen by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
- Tae kwon do: secrets of Korean karate By Sihak Henry CHO
- Kalaripayatta- Discovery Channel
- Daruma: Determination and Zen training in Budo by Charles C. Goodin
- Karate: The Art of Empty-Hand Fighting By Richard C. Brown, Hidetaka Nishiyama
- Long Life, Good Health Through Tai-Chi Chuan by Simmone L. Kuo
- Yin-Yang in Tai-Chi Chuan and Daily Life by Simmone Kuo
- Tai Chi: The Supreme Ultimate By Lawrence Galante, Betsy Selman
- Building Warrior Spirit: With Gan Soku Tanden Riki By Robert Scaglione
- Jujitsu: Basic Techniques of the Gentle Art By George A. Kirby
- The Way of Karate By George E. Mattson
- Karate's History and Traditions By Bruce A. Haines
- 108 STEPS: The Sino-Indian Connection in the Martial Arts by Joyotpaul Chaudhuri
- The Book of Soft Martial Arts: Finding Personal Harmony with Chi Kung, Hsing I, Pa Kua and T'ai Ch'i by Danny Connor and Howard Reid
- So Many Paths. Which Shaolin Is Real? The Reply: Yes. by Howard W. French
- Concise Encyclopedia Brittanica Article on Bodhidharma
- D.T. Suzuki's The Zen Doctrine of No-Mind
- MANUAL OF ZEN BUDDHISM - DAISETZ TEITARO SUZUKI, D.LITT. (1934)
- An American's Journey to the Shaolin Temple by Steve De Masco
- The History of Teaching Methods used in the Martial Arts by Dr. William Durbin
- Chon-Ji of Tae Kwon Do Hyung By Jhoon Rhee
- Shorinji Kempo by Doshin So
- Breathing In and Breathing Out In Accordance With "Go" and "Ju": A Miscellaneous Essay on Karate by Chojun Miyagi
- Okinawa Kata Classification: An Historical Overview by Mario McKenna
- The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
- Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit's Homepage
- Karate: Technique and Spirit by Tadashi Nakamura
- Origins of Jiu-Jitsu at Carlosmachado.net
- Historia do Jiu-Jitsu at Royler Gracie's official website
- History of Jiu-Jitsu
- Documentary used: 1981 Television documentary titled "Kalari, the Indian way"
- How Hong Kong took Hollywood- BBC
- So Many Paths. Which Shaolin Is Real? The Reply: Yes. by Howard W. French
- Of Monks and martial arts by Christopher Wren. Published: September 11, 1983
- Journey to self-discovery
- Art most ancient by Karthi Sekar
- The story of Bodhidharma
- Zen and the art of storytelling
- Kalaripayatta- Discovery Channel
- Phoenix International Academy of Mixed Martial Arts
- Official Gracie Miami Websites: History of BJJ
- Historia do Jiu-Jitsu at Royler Gracie's official website
- Origins of Jiu-Jitsu at Carlosmachado.net
- History of Jiu-Jitsu
- The History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra
- The History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
- The beginning: Florida Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- History Facts: The Founder Of Shaolinsi
- Tai Chi by June Lordi
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Martial Arts By Cezar Borkowski, Marion Manzo
- Karate for Kids by Robin L. Rielly
- A Musical Journey: from the Great Wall of China to the water towns of Jiangnan by liow kah Joon, Kah Joon Liow
- Zen in Ten: Easy Lessons for Spiritual Growth by C. Alexander Simpkins, Annellen M. Simpkins
- Bruce Lee: Fighting Spirit: A Biography by Bruce Thomas
- Tae Kwon Do Techniques & Tactics by Thomas D. Seabourne, Yeon Hwan Park
- Beginning Qigong: Chinese secrets for health and longevity by Stephen Kuei, Stephen Comee
- Martial Arts by Pat Zukeran
- Patrick Zukeran: The Origins and Popularity of the Martial Arts
- Enter the Dragon? Wrestling with the martial arts phenomenon. Part I: The historical-philosophical backdrop by Ervin de Castro, BJ Oropeza and Ron Rhodes
- Our Martial Arts History and Tradition... by Prof. J. Roe
- History of Shotokan Karate by P. E. Katzer
- Nei Jia Quan: Internal Martial Arts Teachers of Tai Ji Quan, Xing Yi Quan, and Ba Gua Zhang edited by Jess O'Brien
- Kempo Jitsu – Pre 1900 Martial Art System by Tony Sims
- A Historical Prespective: The Origins of Kwon Bup, Chuan Fa, Kempo, Kuntao by Ian A. Cyrus, 9th Dan, Headmaster, Choson Kwon Bup International Chosondo Federation
- Matsuda Ryuchi 松田隆智 (1986). Zhōngguó wǔshù shǐlüè 中國武術史略 (in Chinese). Taipei 臺北: Danqing tushu.
- Lin 1996:183
- Lin 1996:183
- In his "Notes on some artists of the Six Dynasties and the Tang," Paul Pelliot asserts that all accounts of Bodhidharma are legendary.
See also
Further reading
- Introduction of Red Pine, translator; The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma. North Point Press, New York. (1987)
- Our ancient legacy
- Denkoroku: Record of the Transmission of Luminosity by Keizan Jokin zenji, translated by Anzan Hoshin roshi and Joshu Dainen zenji
- Prana
- Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms (by Soothill and Hodous)
- - An interview with the Shankaracharya of Kanchi
- The Sound of the One Hand - Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 107, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1987), pp. 125-126
- Trinidad and Tobago's Guardian newspaper
- The Bodhisattva warriors: the origin, inner philosophy, history, and symbolism of the Buddhist martial art within India and China by Terence Dukes (1994). Publisher: York Beach, Me. ISBN 0877287856
- Karate Basics By Robin L. Rielly
- Luo Han 18 Monks