It is said that all martial arts have origins at the Shaolin Buddhist Temple in China. Buddhist monks are supposed to not kill any living beings, so why would they practice martial arts? The story says that Bodhidharma came to the Shaolin temple but was rejected, he then started a 9 years meditation in a cave. Impressed by this stunt, the temple allowed him to enter. Bodhidharma noticed that a lot of the monks were falling asleep during their meditation because of a lack of physical exercise leading to a weak body. So he came up with some exercise and taught them to the monks: the 18 Arhat Hands of Shaolin. Those exercises became the base of the Shaolin Kung Fu, they were to improve physical strength and balance while promoting energy management.
In Chinese, Shaolin means the little forest. Back then, it was not rare crossway with thieves, outlaws or even wild animals. So learning martial arts is also a way for the monks to protect themselves.
Being born in a Buddhist temple also forged the martial arts philosophy where you should only use the martial art as a way of self-defense and only as last resort because all life is to be respected.
It is said that all martial arts have origins at the Shaolin Buddhist Temple in China. Buddhist monks are supposed to not kill any living beings, so why would they practice martial arts? The story says that Bodhidharma came to the Shaolin temple but was rejected, he then started a 9 years meditation in a cave. Impressed by this stunt, the temple allowed him to enter. Bodhidharma noticed that a lot of the monks were falling asleep during their meditation because of a lack of physical exercise leading to a weak body. So he came up with some exercise and taught them to the monks: the 18 Arhat Hands of Shaolin. Those exercises became the base of the Shaolin Kung Fu, they were to improve physical strength and balance while promoting energy management.
In Chinese, Shaolin means the little forest. Back then, it was not rare crossway with thieves, outlaws or even wild animals. So learning martial arts is also a way for the monks to protect themselves.
Being born in a Buddhist temple also forged the martial arts philosophy where you should only use the martial art as a way of self-defense and only as last resort because all life is to be respected.
I didn't know that, thanks for sharing. I was going to comment and decided to read comments first and here you are explaining it.
I haven't heard of that style of Kung Fu either, glad it's working well for you.
thanks for telling!