Shaolin Kung fu

ShaolinTemple was named after its location in the forest (pronounced as "lin" in Chinese) of the ShaoshiMountain. It was built in the 19th year of the reign of Emperor Xiaowen during North Wei (495 AD) Dynasty.

In the year 527 AD the Bodiharma came to China from India to spread his philosophy of Zen Buddhism. On his arrival at the Shaolin temple, he was intoxicated with the charming and inspiring landscape and the fertile cultural soil there.

Alone, he entered the cave beneath the Wuru peak and sat before the cave-wall for nine years. When the feat of cultivation by facing the wall was completed, his image was incredibly printed into the wall, hence the famous "wall-facing rock" which we can still see today. It is hard to ascertain whether the "shadow-printed rock" is genuine or not. But one thing is sure, that is when Bodhi-dharma came out of that cave, a new Buddhist sect, the Zen, was brought forth into the world. This is a historical fact supported with records. From then on, ShaolinTemple became a world-famous birthplace of the Zen. At the very beginning, Bodiharma just taught Buddhism. Then began to teach fist in order to keep the monks who protected the temple strong. Finally, many high –level Kung Fu artists who came to Shaolin temple for a refuge made Shaolin Kung Fu completed.

The main steps of Shaolin Kung Fu are bow step and horse step. The range of the movements is big and powerful. Shaolin kung fu also pays attention to shouting for helping use power.

Shaolin boxing emphasizes on skill. Its practicing is not limited by space. The saying goes “a boxer can practice where only one ox can lie down". That is to say, a Shaolin boxer can beat his opponent with a space of several steps. Another saying "boxing goes along a line", indicates that when practicing boxing including raising, falling, turning sidling, huddling and jumping, all these moves should be conducted along a straight line. As to the specific movements, they should be neither "absolutely bent nor absolutely straight". Too much bend would reduce the power; to much straightness would influence the flexibility.

shaolin kung fu Attacking with boxing, both forward and backward actions are done in a "turning manner", eyes move along with hand. As to the body movements, the stress is laid on swiftness and an absolute mastery of the gravity centre so that a perfect and kinetic balance is kept. As to the kicking movements, the leg should be as light as a feather when lifting a leg; the leg should be as heavy as the MountTai when kicking.

The content of Shaolin kung fu is abundant. The main fists are Shaolin Cha fist, Shaolin DaHong fist, Shaolin Xiao Hong Fist, Shaolin Cannon Fist, Shaolin Hua Fist, Shaolin LuoHan Fist, Shaolin Liuhe fist(six combination), Shaolin Tiger Fist, etc.

There are Eighteen kinds of Shaolin martial arts weapons including broadsword, spear, straightsword, staff, etc .

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