HISTORY OF SHAOLIN

In the past, many articles have been written on the subject of the Shaolin method, some well researched, others not. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that the Shaolin method was never taught for its use in warfare. Tales found in Chinese culture about Shaolin warrior monks are improbable and not true. No Buddhist monk would ever carry a weapon or any other tool of war which could cause harm to any living being. By doing so, a monk would be in direct contradiction and violation of his oath, morals and Buddhist faith.

Unfortunately, after the destruction of the Shaolin monastery in 1644-1645, Ch'an Buddhism began to separate from the Shaolin method of training. Luckily, there were always a few masters that maintained the method as a whole. The physical aspect must be a very strong and important part of this type of training at all times - but at the same time, one must understand that the true driving force of the Shaolin method is Ch'an Buddhism, its philosophy and spirituality.

Today, we use a popular and accepted world wide terminology known as kung-fu (Cantonese name for theatrical mock combat). It is however commonly understood that primitive forms of martial arts have been in existence for many years before the Shaolin method came into being. Historically speaking, some basic forms of martial arts were known in China as early as 250 B.C.

One must realize that physical, mental and spiritual aspects of this type of training are only the guiding light of eventually achieving great skill, self confidence, wisdom and enlightenment.

A serious practitioner of the Shaolin method in today's society must live as an example and role model in the community that he lives in; hence, a teacher of the method must be a man of honour, honesty, loyalty, kindness and compassion --- qualities which are indeed difficult to find today, yet essential of any follower of the ancient Shaolin method.

At the Shaolin Monastery, many empty hand exercises evolved and became Buddhist meditation in motion. Today, as monks before us, we must still learn how to cope with an attack without conscious thought, resistance or emotion. The rigorous training at the Temple was used by each individual to overcome his fears and doubts; to provide a perfect balance between mind and body, to get rid of aggression, and to conquer the evil that lurked within. Finally, as one learns to abandon his bias and self-limitations, he will have no need to control and conquer others, and will quietly achieve peace and enlightenment.

There is one more misconception that is worth mentioning - the internal and external methods of training, or as we refer to them today as styles. As the Shaolin system achieved its peak at one point in time, a new school of martial arts was developing near the mountain of Wu Tang. Since then the name Wu Tang Shan or internal school came into being - in opposition to the Shaolin method called an external school which was only called external because its originator Bodhidharma (monk from India) was an outsider, a non-Chinese, who perhaps started the most famous discipline of self-perfection ever known to man.

Wu Tang Shan was a creation of all Chinese teachers and did not have much value as a combative system because it did not pursue the Ch'an Buddhist philosophy of the Shaolin monks. Unlike the monks, who were striving to obtain a perfect balance between mind and body, eventually achieving enlightenment, practitioners of Wu Tang Shan were not introduced to this concept, thus concentrating only on conquering an opponent with physical force alone.

 

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