Background of Shaolin Kung fu

   Most of what is said about the Shaolin Temples, or Shaolin Kung fu (Shaolin means “young forest” and is a location as well as a name) is based on unconfirmed “word of mouth” stories, passed down from teacher to student.

   However, scholars and modem exponents of Kung fu, continue their efforts to prove or discover the truth about the Shaolin Temples. During this time, China had many wars and usurpations of its dynasties. The invasion of the Ching Dynasty (Qing Dynasty) (1644 — 1911) (Manchu) and with the establishment of its government, the Shaolin Temples entered into some of its most troubled times.

   During the height of the Shaolin Temple, there were over 1,200 temples located throughout China. Many monks in these temples were actually rebels who tried to overthrow the Chings and restore the Ming Dynasty. When the Ching government discovered this, they ordered the temples to be destroyed and their occupants to be put to death. Despite the turmoil, the two most famous temples were the Honan and the Fukein. 

   The original Shaolin Temple was located on the northern side of the Sung Shan Mountain range. Located just below the peak of this mountain is the city of Honan. This temple was allegedly built by Emperor Hsiao Wen of the Northem Wei Dynasty (386 — 534) for Monk Pao Jaco[1].

   The second temple, constructed about 1,000 years ago, was called the Fukein Temple. It was located in Chuan Chow, located in the Fukein province in southern China. It was built by Monk Ta Tsun Shen.

   The temples mainly taught Buddhism, but we now know that the Temples evolved three classes of monks. The first practiced only Buddhism. The second practiced Buddhism and “exercise” I martial arts. And the third practiced only martial arts. This third class was Buddhist, but they did not actively practice the Buddhist religion. A fourth class, that of traveling monks, was added later. These monks would travel from temple to temple, and would constantly test their skills.

   Oral tradition passed from teacher to student and from style to style, states that between 420 — 479, an Indian Monk, Ta Mo (Pu Ti Ta Mo, or Bodhidhamia) arrived in China to spread Buddhism. Buddhism already existed in China, hut not to the extent practiced in India.

   Having arrived in Northern Wei, Ta Mo was brought before the Emperor. He was questioned on his knowledge of Buddhism. Later, he was expelled from the Emperor’s court (and 1/3 of the court left with him). 1-Ic later settled at the Shaolin Temple at Honan.

   After arriving at Honan, Ta Mo introduced some very strict conservative Buddhist doctrines — a set of special exercises called the “I Chin Ching” (or, Muscle change Classics), and (he “Eighteen Exercises.” The exercises were at one time 24 movements, but most sources state that only 12 of the exercises were by Ta Mo.

   Shaolin Kung fu existed in China before Ta Mo. Although he is not the founder of Shaolin Kung fu, he did introduce some special exercises. The Monks needed to strengthen their bodies as they often fell asleep during mediation.

   Ta Mo died around 539. His routines were very strict, and approximately thirty years after his death, his techniques and principles began to be misused. Many monks and lay people studying at the Temples no longer wished to practice his methods. Sonic left (he temples, and subsequently misused their Kung fu training. Some even robbed or killed others.

   As a result, the Emperor of the Chou (Zhou) Dynasty (557— 581) in 570; ordered the Temple to be closed. It wasn’t until about 30 years later, during the Sui Dynasty (58 1-618), in 600 AD that the Temple was reopened (I am not sure which Temple this was, although it was probably Honan.) From 600 to 1600, Shaolin Kung fu grew into the most complete system of self defense with many branches.

   During the Yuan Dynasty (1280 — 1368), Shaolin Kung fu entered into one of its best eras. At this time, a highly trained fighter of the martial arts, surnamed Yen, became a priest and took the name Chueh Yuan. He revised Ta Mo’s LX methods into 72 styles.

   Styles at this time did not mean systems, but rather groups of techniques. It was common at this time for Monks to travel to other temples challenging the Masters on their knowledge of Buddhism. Some monks would stay and study before moving on. As a result, they would spread and practice different styles of Kung fu.

   Many times throughout history, Kung fu students joined temples to become Monks, probably because they were upset with their violent past as soldiers or “traveling fighters.” The traveling lighters went around looking fir lights or to set up a “hit fightingstage (or Lei Ti).” This was a stage. set up to challenge all corners to trytheir skills, winner takes all. Frequently, people lost their lives doing this. In an attempt to ease their conscience, many would give up common life, join a temple, and try to do good for the rest of their life.

   Yen was one of these people. He gave up secular life, joined a temple, and changed his name to Monk Chueh Yuan. Chueh Yuan was not content with his creation. He traveled throughout the mainland and to other Temples, in hopes of finding famous masters and test their methods.

   In Lanchou of Kansu Province, he came upon a 60-year-old man being attacked by a young man. When the attacker kicked, the old man “touched his foot with two fingers causing him to fall unconscious” (the point can be found on the acupuncture chart as Shenmai urinary bladder point #62.)

Cheuh Yuan met the old man whose name was Li Cheng. Li denied any “great” knowledge of Kung fu (humility would prevent him from doing so.) He did introduce him to a friend, Pai Yu Feng of Shansi, reportedly, the best Kung fu man in Shansi, Honan and Hopei.

   Pal was 50 years old, and he agreed to go to the Shaolin Temple (exactly which one is unknown.) Li, Pi and Chueh Yuan went to this temple and took Ta Mo’s 18 and Chueh Yuan’s 72 movements and expanded them to 170 movements, which have become the basis of Shaolin Kung-fü as we know it today.

   The 170 movements, or actions, embraced five styles. These being the Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, Snake, and the Crane. Pai taught that humans had “Five Essences.” Those were the spirit, bone, strength, chi (energy) and sinew. These essences must be combined into an efficient oneness with the body and martial arts. This is done through hard-soft, internal-external, movement, non-movement type actions.

  These essences are combined with the above five styles as:

 ·         Tiger style represents the training of the bones; hold shoulders and waist firmly, your body rises and falls, your chi circulates and the two eyes remain wide open.
·         Leopard style develops strength; hook the fingers into a near fist, hold fast, sink and rise with a low stance.
·         Crane style represents sinew; the sinew is rooted into the feet, spirit permeates throughout the body, joints are relaxed, hands and feet flow together.
·         Snake style represents the cultivation of the chi; breathe in and out smoothly, body moves soft yet strong, flexible yet firm.
·         Dragon style represents the cultivation of the spirit; chi is centered, power is not used, shoulders balanced and the five centers — heart, two feet and two palms act togcthcr.

   These five styles were later combined with breathing exercises when Monk Hui Meng arrived in Southern China during the late Ming Dynasty (1368 — 1644). Hui Meng laid down four rules for this practice:

1.    Do not overdue.

2.    Dusty or dirty premises must not be used.

3.    In the beginning, exhale through the mouth, later exhale through the nose.

4.    Do not let your thoughts move.

   The five styles were practiced together. It was not until the Ching take-over around 1644 that the styles eventually became separate. The temple was destroyed around 1760. The Shaolin Temple never regained its former greatness, but it did resume some activity around the 1800’s. During this era, there was widespread governmental corruption.

   As a result of this corruption, the Ching Dynasty was lax and weak enforcing its rules. The slow decline of this Dynasty was aided by the “economic” invasion of China by the Western powers of England, France and Russia. The Ching government spent much of its resources in the fight against Westerners; so therefore, the Shaolin Temple was able to operate with some freedom.

   By the late 1860’s, the Ching army had achieved the widespread use of the gun. Therefore, they felt that they could conquer the Monks at any time, and did not pressure them like before. By 1911, the revolutionary forces of Sun Yat Sen also occupied the Ching Government’s time. All of these factors helped the Shaolin Temple regain some of its freedom.

   The Ching still managed to inflict its final tragedy against the Shaolin Temple. The Ching army burned the Temple in 1926 — 1927. That year (‘hiang Kai Shek began the reunification 1926 and 1928. way of a unified of China by launching the now famous Northern Expedition, between This was done to rid China of the numerous warlords who stood in the China.

   To accomplish unification in the Honan Province, the main home of the Shaolin Temple, Chian Kai Shek appointed General Fong Yu Hsiang to fight the warlord Fran Chung Shiow. This was known as the “Fong Offensive,” which was commanded in the field by Fong Yu’s Lieutenant, Shih Yeou Shan. Fran Chung Shiow was a close friend of Meaw Shing, who was the head Master of the Honan Shaolin Temple.

   When Shih Yeou Shan’s troops routed Fran Chung Shiow’s army, Fran was forced to flee. Fran eventually fled to the Honan Shaolin Temple, where he received protection from Head Master Meaw Shing. In order to protect Fran, Meaw Shing ordered Monks of the Temple to fight against Shih’s troops.

   Though the Monks were good fighters, Shih Yeou Shan’s troops had superior antis and defeated the Shaolin Monks. Head Master Meaw Shing died in this battle and the Temple was burned. This occurred in 1927. Once the country was finally united, the government began an active program to reorganize Kung fu. This occurred in 1928, when Nan King, the Nan King Central Kou Su Institute was founded. The first Master of the Institute was Chang Chih Chiang.

    There is much more to the history of Shaolin Kung fu, but I hope that this short history will give you a better understanding of its main developments. Many styles exist today with different theories and techniques. Although the styles are different, each in its own way is carrying on the great tradition of the Shaolin Temple.