| Shaolin Spirit |
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Shaolin Kung Fu has become a reference, a milestone for Chinese (and many other) Martial Arts. It has progressed through 5 generations of development, during which time it was influenced by many martial arts, but has also been a strong and revitalizing influence on many more. Shaolin has become a generic term for most martial art practitioners coming from China, and for their kung fu.
Chinese Cinema has contributed to the Shaolin Myth, but in a misleading, or even outright wrong, way; depicting Shaolin, trained fighters and Warrior Monks as aggressive or violent with a high need to win fights, hurt people and fulfill vowed revenge. This could not be further from the truth. Although, there will always be some who may tend towards this type of behavior, Shaolin Masters learned how to weed these few out and send them home before any real knowledge was passed on to them.
It is even rumored that Chinese efforts to have Wushu included as a demonstration sport,
in the Olympics, was hindered by the sometimes brutal and gory depiction of Chinese Fighting Arts.
So, who are the 'real' Shaolin? Are they now travelling Showman, of the Shaolin Monk Show? Or were they eradicated sometime between the 2nd and 3rd burning of Shaolin (1645 CE, when China was taken over by the Quin Dynasty and 1927 CE, when China was again in an internal war respectively) when Shaolin Monks were killed and their temples destroyed. Did Mao Tze Tung eliminate Shaolin Kung Fu when he forbade all types of kung fu training and practice under threat of immediate imprisonment, without a court procedure? In reality, it is not important. Successive Chinese rulers destroyed most of Shaolin history, records and people until nothing but memories were left. There are those who escaped to Taiwan, Hong Kong and other countries each carrying a fragment of Shaolin in their skills, minds and hearts.
Yet, who are the Shaolin and what is 'The True Shaolin Power" that has allowed Shaolin survive in spirit to this day? To answer this question, we need to look at the influences on the Shaolin temple by People, Time and Buddhism. First a short background on Shaolin. (A more detailed Shaolin History Chronicle can be found at
www.shaolin.com.au/history.html
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Buddhism |
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Buddhism believes that we are as children blundering through life relying on our base instincts, much like animals rely on instinct and intuition. We are like children in a sandbox with incredibly powerful and complex toys. Although the simplicity of a child is commendable and at times desirable, there is a reason we grow up. Yet, as long as we are not enlightened, we are relying on potluck for mistakes and learning's, and not always understanding what the learning's are. Although this is also a way, it is the way of trial and error, a very long way, which sees many people not reaching the 'True Path' and not achieving an enlightened condition.
Buddha taught; that to reach enlightenment, you need to know the 4 Noble Truths and follow the Noble Eightfold Path and thus truly enter the cycle of adult hood. All our efforts, once leaving puberty, should be focused on achieving Enlightenment before any major life decisions were made or any serious responsibilities could be taken. Any decision made before that (without the guidance of an Enlightened Elder) are shallow and often not fully considered.
You first needed to truly believe the 4 Noble Truths and thus come to follow the "The Noble 8 Fold path."
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The Four Noble Truths
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The Buddha taught that in life there exists sorrow and suffering. This suffering is caused by desire and want. Therefore, unenlightened life is suffering. Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering. This is described in the 4 Noble Truths
- All life is suffering
- The cause of suffering is desire
- The end of suffering is the end of desire
- The way to end suffering is the 8 Fold Path
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The Noble Eightfold Path
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It is said that; "A person who does not follow the path to an enlightened life lives like a preoccupied child playing with toys in a house that is burning to the ground around them. Even if you do not fully comprehend the need for the 8 Fold Path, you should start the journey as soon as possible.
- Right Speech - Not hurtful, not exaggerated and always truthful way.
- Right Actions - Wholesome action, avoiding action that would do harm
- Right Livelihood - One's way of livelihood does not harm in any way oneself or others; directly or indirectly
- Right Effort/Exercise - One makes an effort to improve
- Right Mindfulness/Awareness - Mental ability to see things for what they are with clear consciousness
- Right Concentration - Being aware of the present reality within oneself, without any craving or aversion.
- Right Thoughts - Change in the pattern of thinking.
- Right Understanding - Understanding reality as it is, not just as it appears to be.
Buddha said that if we are not following this path, we cannot live right.
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Enlightenment
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No, it is not a myth or even very difficult to achieve; it is though, not easy to maintain for longer periods. Many people experience aspects of enlightenment throughout their life. Young children, when they daydream, are very close; when people seem to phase out, they are also on the verge. When you have a brilliant insight or inspiration seemingly from nowhere, this often comes from brief periods of Enlightenment. So you see, achieving Enlightenment is not difficult; it is a natural part of human life. Yet, maintaining this state for longer periods is what requires maturity of purpose.
Many have recognised the tangible, scientific and easily noticeable benefits of Meditation which includes;
- Reduced need for sleep
- Greater clarity of thought
- Increased stamina and fitness
- Improved resistance to sickness and stress
- Clearer focus
- and many more health and lifestyle related benefits
Practicing meditation just for these reasons is like using a car as a shelter only. All these benefits are valid but just side benefits and requirements for the search and achievement of periodic, stable and enduring periods of Enlightenment. This superficial use of meditation is bringing us closer to being able to achieve "The great Clarity", but at the same time, it is putting us further away. When we seek to do this without the proper guidance and grounding, problems can occur.
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Gautama Buddha
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Enlightenment is the core to Gautama Buddha, and it is what he achieved sitting for 7 weeks under a fig tree (the Bodhi tree), near Benares. Having wandered about for 7 years in search for the cause of suffering, he sat and in a flash, he saw the light and became the Buddha, the enlightened one.
The Buddhist word for enlightenment is Bodhi which is the basis for the title Buddha. He was the first (known) to be enlightened and thus was called "The Buddha". The root meaning of Bodhi is to awaken thus the Buddha is the Awakened One and all who are not awake are asleep.
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Buddhism in China
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In 64 CE, Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE), sent a delegation to study Buddhism. Three years passed and this delegation returned with them two eminent Indian monks, She Moteng and Zhu Falan with a White Horse as their beast of burden. The beast had on its back Buddhist sutra's and figures. This was the first official record of Buddhism in China. The two monks stayed to translate sutra's and scriptures into Chinese. Emperor Ming built them a Temple and in honor and thanks of their work called it the White Horse Temple.
The completion of this work in the form of the 'Forty-two Chapter Sutra', attracted many monks to the White Horse Temple. It became a centre for Buddhist activity in China and later was honored as the title of 'Founder's Home' and the 'Cradle of Buddhism in China'.
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Shaolin's Foundation
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It was not the first time that China was influenced by wandering wise persons and Monks; and it would not be the last time. Some 400 years later another prominent Indian Buddhist and Indian dhyana master, Batuo, (Bada, Moha, Pao Jaco) came to China. His two Chinese disciples Weiguang and Weineng accompanied him on this journey. He entered the court of Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei in 495 AD and won a lot of respect. The Emperor offered to build him a temple anywhere in China, in the Capitol and such but Batuo chose Song Mountain, which lies near Dengfeng, about 80 kilometers of its capital, Zhengzhou.
Song Mountain, which is also known as Zhong Yue (middle mountain), is known as one of the Five Mountains of China. It is also considered the centre or heart of China; this is where he chose to build the Little/Young Forrest Temple at the foot of Song Mountain, called Shaolin.
It was another 30 years before when another Indian Buddhist and former Nobleman named Bodhidharma (later called Da Mo by the Chinese) came to China following the path of Buddhism from India. Already by this time, Shaolin had gained somewhat of a reputation so he sought and found entry to Shaolin. What he found there disappointed him.
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Bodhidharma
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He noticed that the monks were unfit, unhealthy and sickly spending long times in meditation without any effort put into health. He knew that only a strong body, healthy mind and focused spirit can effectively meditate for the long periods required to reach periods of Enlightenment and keep them.
He spent a long time meditating on finding the ideal solution, as just normal Yoga did not seem to be accepted. As he was of noble birth, he was a practitioner of Indian Kung Fu. He developed two teachings;
- "The Muscle Change " or "The Change of the Sinews,"
- "The Marrow Washing"
These taught the Shaolin Monks to exercise and take care of themselves. One of the first finite exercises developed from this were the 18 Hands of Lohan (Lohan meaning the Enlightened One). Although not immediately, this eventually developed into Shaolin Kung Fu.
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To Follow the Path
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There is not just one way to achieve Enlightenment although there is only one way. It seems that there are many ways yet, when viewed correctly there is only the one path that has many different 'perspectives'. There are however many wrong ways that can lead to the searcher further away from their goal of finding Enlightenment.
Shaolin and Buddhists believe that causing harm to any sentient or living being puts a weight on your spirit that is difficult or even sometimes impossible to lift. They refrain from any activities that are rooted in any emotion as emotions usually lead to foolish actions. Especially emotions of anger, revenge, hate and fear. These are guaranteed to cause lasting spiritual baggage.
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To Follow the Example Set
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Shaolin has taken the path of using Kung Fu training with aspects of Yoga, Chi Kung and Tai Chi to train the body, mind and spirit and prepare it for right meditation; which in turn can/will lead to Enlightenment. Although Shaolin Kung Fu has been portrayed as a violent and powerful martial art, it is not the way Shaolin Buddhists would use it.
In the Shaolin way of using Kung Fu, the practitioner requires high degrees of control and dedication to master the art to such a degree that they do NOT have to hurt an attacker. As a Buddhist they would rather be hurt themselves than to cause hurt on others. Thus, they learn to be so good at their kung fu that they can effectively disarm, stop and placate an opponent without the need of hurting or harming them. And they practice Chi Kung to be able to take the occasional blow, even from a weapon, without being overly hurt.
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Reality
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Yet, we need to remember that Shaolin is a reality not a myth. Shaolin were real people, with real problems in a country that was constantly engaged in one war or another, territorial disputes and of course the constant invasions by surrounding countries. As such, we also need to understand that there were circumstances where Shaolin chose the path of force rather than emptiness. Yet, as with any struggle, occasional setbacks are part of the path and should not be seen as the rule or norm, and these exceptions are definitely not to be aspired to.
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Power & Influence
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Shaolin power lies in its ability to focus on the internal aspects of martial arts. To focus on Health and Well-being, Meditation and Enlightenment. These are not to help Shaolin Monks become superior martial artists, but rather superior Kung Fu is the path to be better Shaolin Buddhists. It is this small but significant difference that defines Shaolin.
| Shaolin Spirit |
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Shaolin Kung Fu is the tool to help people become fit, healthy and focused. This allows Shaolin practitioners to safely engage in extended periods of meditation. This in turn leads to maturity and Enlightenment. It is not to be confused with martial arts that use strength, fitness and meditation to be better at dominating and hurting people; martial artists that use 'meditation' as a tool to improve their ability to cause harm to others.
This is what truly makes a difference between Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Chi Kung; the classic three forms of exercise, health and well being from China. And this is the true Spirit of Shaolin.
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About the Author |
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Sijo Robert Z first entered martial arts with Judo when he was 'dragged' along by his older brother around 1960. As this was a period of great unrest for his family, with constant moving around, he did not settle into the style. In 1970, his parents migrated to Europe where he trained in Karate for 6 years, culminating in a 1st Degree Black belt and the European Full Contact Championship. The same year his master died, Robert began studying Aikido, a little known and mysterious art in the 1970's. He trained this discipline until 1982, grading to 1st Degree Black Belt in Aikido shortly before migrating to Australia.
Here he was introduced to Kung Fu and trained predominantly with the Golden Lion. He also trained with various other styles, mainly various forms of Kung Fu. It is during this period that he became interested in Shaolin.
Since 1989, he has studied Shaolin intently, culminating with a study and training tour to China and Shaolin in 2001. His works on Shaolin and Shaolin History have been copied in over 5000 articles, WEB pages, TV, University and School papers and assignments. In 2005, the Encyclopedia Britannica referred to the clubs WEB site as an additional source of reference on Shaolin. Even AboutChina.com uses the Shaolin History as a reference.
Now, after 45 years of martial arts, he is still fascinated by Shaolin, specifically the most advanced version, the 5 Animal Style. As a full time martial artist, he devotes his time to training, teaching, writing and life.
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More Information |
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If what you have read above resonates within you and you wish to go further you can. Come and train with us if you like. If in Victoria Australia come to one of our Kwoons (training venues). If you are anywhere else in the world, have a look at our Shaolin Kung Fu training packs. And if you have any questions at all, please do write to us to Sijo Robert Z. He will usually reply within 24 to 72 hours unless it's a toughy or he is travelling overseas.
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This is the way Shaolin Was introduced to the world; as fighters, warriors and seekers of revenge. Although there may be some truth to this it is not Shaolin.
Shaolin mural depicting the 2nd Burning of Shaolin
Buddha Statue in Mile-Honghe
Buddhist Scriptures
Wisdom
"Knowledge is the power of the mind,
wisdom is the power of the soul."
- Julie Shannahan
uddhist Enlightenment Sand Mandala
"Hundreds of stupid flies gather on a piece of rotten meat, Enjoying, they think, a delicious feast. This image fits with the song Of the myriads of foolish living beings Who seek happiness in superficial pleasures; In countless ways they try, Yet I have never seen them satisfied."
At the western side of the Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya, stands a large and historic Pipal Tree ficus religiosa, known throughout history as the Bodhi Tree, under which Shakyamuni Buddha, then known as Gautama, attained Enlightenment some 2500 years ago.
Shaolin Kung Fu Academy at the Shaolin Temple training School with the Schools Chief Training Instructor/Master
Bodhidharma
The Eight Fold Path
"Truth is not determined by majority vote." - Doug Gwyn
The Spirit of Shaolin - Bodhidharma in the Cave above Shaolin Ssu
Renshi Vincent Busuttil, ...., Shihan Richard Norton, Sijo Robert Z and Hanshi Tino Ceberano
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