Shaolin Kung Fu
More than 1500 years ago
the Chinese emperor gave the order to construct a temple to
welcome a traveling Indian monk, named Batuo, who came to China to
spread Buddhism.
This temple was
constructed at the foot of the mountain Songshan, in Henan
provence, not too far away from Luoyang, the former capitol of
China.
About 30 years later
Bodhidarma, an Indian prince who gave up his birthright to spread
Buddhism, came to the temple, and stayed for nine years on the
mountain to meditate.
After those nine years,
when he had achieved the enlightment, he was admitted to the
temple. In the temple he saw in what poor condition the monks were,
who often fell asleep during the long sessions of meditation.
That's why, to improve
their health and condition, and to help the monks protect
themselves during voyages, he taught the monks 18 techniques. And
with those 18 techniques, legend says, the martial art of kung fu
was born...
Offcourse nowadays
everybody has seen those monks, with their spectacular movements,
and mystical powers, performing in shows around the world. But
what do they do exactly, and why ? And what does a Shaolin monk's
life look like ? Why do monks fight ? We're going to try to
give answers to all these questions and more in the Shaolin
section of this site !
'All
martial arts are born under the Shaolin sky !'
