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Origins of Asian martial arts

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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 majority of martial arts historians. Both versions agree that the foreign influence was vital on Shaolin temple's approach to institutionalized martial arts.

Main gate of the Shaolin temple in Henan

In an article by published in the New York Times Travel section in 1983, Christopher Wren asserts that organised martial traditions predate the establishment of the Shaolin Monastery by centuries.

The Foreign influence

Establishment of the Shaolin temple

The Indian dhyana master Buddhabhadra 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

Bodhidharma by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)

Bodhidharma, who is credited with the establishment of the Chan and Zen sects of Buddhism, 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 :-

About 150 years later in CE 527 the great Bodhidharma, a prince-turned-monk, came from India to teach Zen at the Shaolin Monastery. Since then the Shaolin Monastery has become the fountainhead of Zen Buddhism, which is a major school of. Mahayana Buddhism.

Bodhidharma left behind as a legacy three great sets of exercise, namely Eighteen Lohan Hands, Sinew Metamorphosis and Marrow Cleansing. Eighteen Lohan Hands became the forerunner of Shaolin Kungfu, and Sinew Metamorphosis the forerunner of Shaolin Chi Kung. "Bone Marrow" in Chinese medical terms is not just the bone marrow in Western terms, but figuratively refers to the nerves. The great Bodhidharma is honoured and worshipped as the First Patriarch of the Shaolin arts, as well as of Zen Buddhism.

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 excercises, meditation, discipline, newer techniques etc. to the native fighting methods during his tenure at the Shaolin monastery.

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.

Bodhidharma is associated with the idea that spiritual, intellectual and physical excellence are an indivisible whole necessary for enlightenment. Such an approach to enlightenment ultimately proved highly attractive to the Samurai class in Japan, who made Zen their way of life, following their encounter with the martial-arts-oriented Zen Rinzai School introduced to Japan by Eisai in the 12th century.

Effect of stature within the Buddhist religion

It must be also be noted that Bodhidharma was a religious figure. A measure of conflicting accounts, traditional and modern in nature, surrounds religious figures, including Jesus Christ, Gautama Buddha and Prophet Mohammed. However the conflicting accounts, traditional or modern, in case of religion are usually made insignificant in comparision by views commonly held by the vast majority.

A painting on a wall in the temple showing lighter skinned Chinese monks and darker skinned monks, similar in skin tone to Indians

In case of Bodhidharma, it is generally believed:

Bodhidharma (c. 6th century CE) was the Buddhist monk traditionally credited as the founder both of Chán and Zen sects of Buddhism. He is commonly associated with the Shaolin kung fu school of the Chinese martial arts. It is generally agreed that he was a South Indian monk—possibly from Kanchipuram—who journeyed to southern China during the Liang Dynasty (502–557), from which he subsequently relocated northwards.

The Shaolin Temple mural

The Shaolin Temple in China contains fresco murals from the 17th century which depict dark-skinned (not black but similar in skin tone to Indians) monks teaching Chinese monks fighting forms. On the mural that survived three fires between 1644 to 1927, it says when translated from Chinese into Japanese script "Tenjiku Naranokaku" translating as "the fighting techniques to train the body which come from India."

Some of the The oldest known records concerning combat techniques are hieroglyphic scrolls from Egyptian tombs, dating as far back as 4000 B.C. The Beni Hasan tombs are shown in the picture.

Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece

Early martial arts can be traced to Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. 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.

Extent of acknowledgement of the foreign influence

Conflicting theories

Further information: Bodhidharma, the martial arts, and the disputed India connection

Many accounts of Bodhidharma's life are largely legendary. A minority of historians within the martial arts community have attempted to present various theories, conflicting in nature, in order to revise history associated with Bodhidharma.

Historian Matsuda Ryuchi dates the Yi Jin Jing, a text often associated with Bodhidharma, to 1827. His claim is rejected by another historian, Lin Boyuan, whose research dates it to 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 revisionist versions as presented by Matsuda Ryuchi, Lin Boyuan and Ling Tingkan.

Most accounts of martial arts history have credited the foreign influence, disregarding the conflicting theories.

The views from the martial arts community

Martial arts authors across the world, including June Lordi, Charles C. Goodin, Hidetaka Nishiyama, Cezar Borkowski, Simmone Kuo, Robin L. Rielly, Howard Reid, Liow Kah Joon and Kah Joon Liow, Annellen M Simpkins and C Alexander Simpkins, Bruce Thomas, Thomas D. Seabourne and Yeon Hwan Park, Steve De Masco, Stephen Kuei, Pat Zukeran, Ervin de Castro, BJ Oropeza and Ron Rhodes, Christopher Wren, Howard W. French, Prof. J. Roe, P. E. Katzer, Joyotpaul Chaudhari, Dr. William Durbin and Tony Sims have noted foreign influence on Chinese martial arts.

The foreign influence has also been recognized by legendary martial arts practitioners and authorities, including Chojun Miyagi, Funakoshi Gichin, Wong Kiew Kit, Tadashi Nakamura, Carlos Machado, and Rickson Gracie.

In addition, 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 influences.

Claims that that Chinese martial arts are independent of any foreign influence have also been rejected by prestigious martial arts institutions, including the Gracie Barra, International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Florida Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the Shaolin temple.

See also

Further reading

References

  1. Shaolin.cn.com
  2. The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
  3. ^ "Of Monks and Martial Arts"; Sept. 11, 1983; New York Times
  4. Faure, Bernard. Chan Insights and Oversights: an epistemological critique of the Chan tradition, Princeton University Press, 1993. ISBN 0-691029-02-4
  5. The Founder Of Shaolinsi The founder of Shaolinsi
  6. Kungfu History at EasternMartialArts.com
  7. Legacy of Shaolin Fighting Monks by Salvatore Canzonieri
  8. Concise Encyclopedia Brittanica Article on Bodhidharma
  9. Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit's Homepage
  10. The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
  11. The five holy mountains
  12. Our Martial Arts History and Tradition: A Brief History Of Kempo by Prof. J. Roe
  13. 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
  14. A Life of Jesus by Howard Nicholson Brown
  15. On the trial of Jesus: on the Trial of Jesus 2a Stj 1 by Paul Winter
  16. Theosophical Path Magazine (January to June 1931) edited by Gottfried De Purucker. Page 54
  17. Boddhisatva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature by H. Dayal
  18. The Historical Buddha: The Times, Life, and Teachings of the Founder of Buddhism by Hans Wolfgang
  19. The Succession to Mohammad: A Study of the Early Caliphate by Wilferd Madelung
  20. A Force Profonde: The Power, Politics, and Promise of Human Rights by Edward A. Kolodziej
  21. Concise Encyclopedia Brittanica Article on Bodhidharma
  22. The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
  23. India and China
  24. African Martial Arts Homepage
  25. 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.
  26. Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Maritime Spice Route Between India, Egypt. Publication: Popular-Science.Net. Date: April 1, 2004
  27. New Proof Of Ancient India's Flourishing Trade With Rome by Anand Parthasarathy
  28. History and backgroud of Pankration
  29. The Roots of Martial Arts
  30. Martial Arts-Basic History by Rick Gill
  31. Concise Encyclopedia Brittanica Article on Bodhidharma
  32. Matsuda Ryuchi 松田隆智 (1986). Zhōngguó wǔshù shǐlüè 中國武術史略 (in Chinese). Taipei 臺北: Danqing tushu.
  33. Lin 1996:183
  34. Lin 1996:183
  35. In his "Notes on some artists of the Six Dynasties and the Tang," Paul Pelliot asserts that all accounts of Bodhidharma are legendary.
  36. 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
  37. Tai Chi by June Lordi
  38. Daruma: Determination and Zen training in Budo by Charles C. Goodin
  39. Karate: The Art of Empty-Hand Fighting By Richard C. Brown, Hidetaka Nishiyama
  40. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Martial Arts By Cezar Borkowski, Marion Manzo
  41. Long Life, Good Health Through Tai-Chi Chuan by Simmone L. Kuo
  42. Yin-Yang in Tai-Chi Chuan and Daily Life by Simmone Kuo
  43. Karate for Kids by Robin L. Rielly
  44. 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
  45. A Musical Journey: from the Great Wall of China to the water towns of Jiangnan by liow kah Joon, Kah Joon Liow
  46. Zen in Ten: Easy Lessons for Spiritual Growth by C. Alexander Simpkins, Annellen M. Simpkins
  47. Bruce Lee: Fighting Spirit: A Biography by Bruce Thomas
  48. Tae Kwon Do Techniques & Tactics by Thomas D. Seabourne, Yeon Hwan Park
  49. An American's Journey to the Shaolin Temple by Steve De Masco
  50. Beginning Qigong: Chinese secrets for health and longevity by Stephen Kuei, Stephen Comee
  51. Martial Arts by Pat Zukeran
  52. Patrick Zukeran: The Origins and Popularity of the Martial Arts
  53. Enter the Dragon? Wrestling with the martial arts phenomenon. Part I: The historical-philosophical backdrop by Ervin de Castro, BJ Oropeza and Ron Rhodes
  54. So Many Paths. Which Shaolin Is Real? The Reply: Yes. by Howard W. French
  55. Our Martial Arts History and Tradition... by Prof. J. Roe
  56. History of Shotokan Karate by P. E. Katzer
  57. 108 STEPS: The Sino-Indian Connection in the Martial Arts by Joyotpaul Chaudhuri
  58. The History of Teaching Methods used in the Martial Arts by Dr. William Durbin
  59. Kempo Jitsu – Pre 1900 Martial Art System by Tony Sims
  60. Breathing In and Breathing Out In Accordance With "Go" and "Ju": A Miscellaneous Essay on Karate by Chojun Miyagi
  61. Okinawa Kata Classification: An Historical Overview by Mario McKenna
  62. The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
  63. Karate: Technique and Spirit by Tadashi Nakamura
  64. Origins of Jiu-Jitsu at Carlosmachado.net
  65. History of Jiu-Jitsu
  66. How Hong Kong took Hollywood- BBC
  67. So Many Paths. Which Shaolin Is Real? The Reply: Yes. by Howard W. French
  68. Of Monks and martial arts by Christopher Wren. Published: September 11, 1983
  69. Journey to self-discovery
  70. Art most ancient by Karthi Sekar
  71. The story of Bodhidharma
  72. Zen and the art of storytelling
  73. Kalaripayatta- Discovery Channel
  74. The history of Brazillian Jiu Jitsu - Gracie Barra
  75. Phoenix International Academy of Mixed Martial Arts
  76. The History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra
  77. The History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
  78. The beginning: Florida Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  79. History Facts: The Founder Of Shaolinsi
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