Shaolin 72 Fist Kung Fu

Introduction
Around 570CE Shaolin was burned only 90 years after it was originally built (refer to Shaolin History for full account of Shaolin from founding to today). When it was rebuild, Shaolin Monks wanted to make it more secure. As Shaolin was in a remote place, they concluded that they need to be able to take care of themselves. The concept of Warrior Monks was born.

Emperors Son
Around this time, as legend goes, 13 Shaolin Monks helped to free the Emperors son from an opposing army. The Emperor was very thankful and named Shaolin the 'No 1 Temple in China'. This also lead to a close cooperation between the Empire and Shaolin.

Shaolin 1st Golden Era
Shaolin and the Chinese Court started a cultural exchange. Shaolin provided spiritual guidance, education and healing and the Emperor provided funds, protection and status. When the Emperor died and the son came to power, this close cooperation increased leading to an unprecedented Golden Era.

Cultural Exchange
Retired Generals and Soldiers would seek entry in Shaolin for meditation and rest; in turn they provided kung fu training including the secret special protection skills. In addition, Shaolin invited wandering warriors and heelers for information exchange. With is popularity and now growing knowledge and skills, they were inundated with visitors and 'others'. Yet the Shaolin realized this could not last. As relatively quickly as they fame came, they still remembered the destruction of their temple grounds, temple and living quarters. The sought to make themselves autonomous and safe.

Birth of Shaolin Kung Fu
With all these resources it was not until another 'outsider' came along, a gifted martial artist and noble man, that the 18 Hands of Lo Han were turned into the first Shaolin Kung Fu, the 72 Fists (routines, methods, ways, strategies, defence's) of Shaolin were developed. With all these warriors now living around Shaolin and the memory of the Burning still in their minds, the 72 Fists were very effective, almost brutal. Shaolin remembered that they are first and foremost Buddhists. Any harm they cause any sentient being would take them away from ending their cycle of death and rebirth through reaching enlightenment. They needed something 'less' damaging for their warrior monks.

170 Moves of Shaolin
The 72 Fists were redeveloped into the 170 moves, that had at it's core a very 'grab and redirect' style of martial arts that later would be know as Chin Na. together with the 72 Fists at its core, the 170 Moves of Shaolin were developed.

University of Arts
Shaolin developed into a learning center; a style of university. Many schools in China still follow this model where students live-in, learn normal schooling and train kung fu all at the same school and all as part of the syllabus. All Shaolin trained the Shaolin Kung Fu as art of their first years up to the age of 20. When they completed their training they were sent out into the world to do good and to be tested. Unlike in the movies where the monks had to fight their way out (this never happened), the tests were not martial arts but the temptations of life. The Shaolin who were well educated, healthy, strong, knew how to read and write (only about ½% or less of the population were literate and this normally very basic) and there were many opportunities for them to 'stray' from the path of Buddhism and Shaolin. Many, many did not return, preferring a 'normal' life. Some did! These became true Shaolin Monks. But this was still not the end!

Specialization
The return monks needed to be useful and contribute in the management and running of Shaolin. Each of them had multiple responsibilities; farming, teaching, healing, repairing building, mending cloths, security and much more. All the things that were needed to make a University work. Each of them was also to take a specialization. Each needed to continue to work on their enlightenment, remain fit and master a skill or craft. Some, the fittest, most enduring, physically strong and healthy chose to be Warrior Monks. Not all who wanted this were allowed to take this path.

Perspective
We also need to understand that there were three . . . 'levels' of Shaolin Kung Fu. As people who entered Shaolin were taught all the same, usually Philosophy (inc. Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism), Mathematics, Calligraphy (reading & writing), Poetry, History, Healing and Kung Fu training. Many did not make it past the first few years of being at Shaolin. The 'terrible teenage years' saw many promising students leave Shaolin. This for many was not bad, as even a few years of Shaolin gave you an excellent grounding for life and reputation. The ones that did make the full course to where they were invited to go on their journey years would be considered as we would consider High School graduates. Especially in those days, Shaolin trained graduates could do and be almost anyone they wished. Yet the true masters of Shaolin were those who did not get swayed by earthly pleasures and who returned celibate to continue their studies.

2nd Burning
In 1645CE China was successfully invaded and the Ming Dynasty ended. All Kung Fu training and weaponry in general was forbidden. Shaolin was burned and all monks, especially Warrior Monks, put to death. Those Shaolin who were not warrior monks, that survived, were given three choices; die, leave China or promise on your oath that you will never practice martial arts in any form again! This virtually lead to the death of Shaolin Kung Fu in China. Even today, Kung Fu practice is still forbidden in China.

Bruce Lee bought Kung Fu to the attention of the world. In 1972 CE the American series with David Caradine made the world aware of Shaolin Kung Fu and in 1982 CE the movie Shaolin Temple with Jet Li was so popular that even the Chinese Government noticed it. Seeing the export value of the Shaolin name it has replaced the American coined term of kung fu with its own term of Wushu (meaning War Art) and started re-inventing kung fu.

Fortunately, some Shaolin chose to leave China. Many went to other Asian countries. Many 'sudden' and spectacular developments in martial art were recorded in the 17th and 18th century because of this. Many non Kung Fu styles were reinvigorated and enriched in this period. Although a lot of the original Shaolin Kung Fu was lost much was also remembered indirectly in all these other styles in the US, Japan, Indonesia, Thai Land Korea and even Europe and others.

The Modern 72 Fists
Master Robert Z has been training martial arts since he was dragged along by his older brother to Judo, in the 60's when Judo was all the rage. Since 1967 CE he has trained regularly 2 to 8 times a week with only short breaks. Since 1983 CE Sijo has taken to researching the history of Shaolin and Kung Fu. In 2004 this was recognised when his paper in the form of a WEB page was included as a reference on Shaolin into the Encyclopedia Britannica CD edition.

Master Robert went about exploring the 'other' generation of Shaolin Kung Fu and was intrigued by the 72 Fists of Shaolin. Once the principle of the 72 Fists was understood, one could find bit's and pieces here and there. Some lead to the foundation of whole martial art styles or strongly influenced these. The Stone Breaking Fist, all but lost in China found it's home in Okinawa; Whirlwind Fists survived in Taiwan; some fists went into Hung gar, Choy Lee Fut and Wing Chung. Now, after over 9 years of research and experimentation the 72 Fists of Shaolin are back. if not exactly as they were in detail but in spirit, effectiveness and style

9 Books of Fists
There are nine 72 Fists Books with 8 Fists in each with over 50 supporting techniques, 36 Strategies, 72 Spirits and extracts from Art of War. It is a complete course that deals with conflict and how to resolve it physically, Strategically and Amicably, if anyway possible. It is a comprehensive program for both people new to martial arts and also experienced martial artists and Black Belts/Sashes.

Strategies are well explained for both Sparring/Self Defence and life. Ancient and well proven Strategies like "Loot the Burning House" are explained and how these can be used in a conflict, argument or even discussion to your best advance. Each individual Fist has a system, routine that shows how best it can be used and what allows it to be so effective.

The Shaolin 72 Fists are supported by defensive techniques including the incredible Sunrise Block, Iron Bar Block and others. It is possible a bit more extensive than the original version of 600 CE, but we now know a whole lot more and are vastly more short and long term, safety & legally aware!

Details
Towards the top, in the right column are graphics depicting each of the 9 books. You can click on any of the books and you will find a short detailed description of each of the fists!