Cang Long
04-05-2006, 06:36 AM
- Shaolin History Tour -
Origin of Kung Fu
Everlasting Martial-Art Tradition of the Zen
Meritorious Feats by Monk Soldiers, a Brilliant Page in History
Mimic boxing, a Superb Martial Art
Eighteen Shaolin Martial Arts
Incredible Kung Fu Rarely known to the world
Sharpness of Sword from Diligence in Whetting
The World-Famous Shaolin Temple
http://www.shaolin.nl/history.html
The history of the Shaolin Temple (north and south) and their fighting monks has been a long, exiting, honored tradition, full of political intrigue.Through the ages, the Shaolin Temples have been built, burned down, and rebuilt many times. Even so, through all its tribulations, it has never ceased to be a training ground and holy place for the monks. Out of about 1,500 years, it has been totally closed and deserted only a handful of years and even then, monks trained there at night secretly. Shaolin’s fighting monks, of which at its peak numbered thousands, had a reputation throughout China for being highly honorable, most courageous, and greatly skilled. They served as role models for the virtuous and spiritual warrior.Oddly enough, the Shaolin fighting arts came from a pacifist beginning: the merger of the spiritual philosophies of Buddhism and Taoism. The first main Shaolin temple was located in Henan (Honan) province, along the north side of Shoa Shih mountain, and built by the royal decree of Emperor Hsiao Wien during the early Northern Wei dynasty (386-534 AD) for an Indian Buddhist monk named Butuo (or Fo Tuo in Chinese) who is most remembered today by his statue, which depicts a fat and jolly seated monk, the "Laughing Buddha." The temple originally consisted of a round dome used as a shrine and a platform where Indian and Chinese monks translated Indian Buddhist scriptures into Chinese, toiling both day and night.
http://pages.eidosnet.co.uk/kungfumaster/shaolin.html
This philosophical concept of 'oneness' is further emphasised by the fact that just 'silent sitting' in meditation was not enough to transcend the suffering of life on the physical plane. Simply ignoring the 'physical' world does not make it 'go away.' Practicing the in-depth and diverse movements of the many styles of martial art – with a concentrated and developed mind (acquired through seated meditation) creates the perfect balance of 'mind' and 'body.' For when the physical body is aligned, and that body is merged with the 'One Mind,' universal energy flows and there is nothing that can not be achieved. If the Mind is enlightened through seated meditation, that is its essence; when the Mind moves the body on the physical plane, that is its function. All things accord, and there is peace.
http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=626
Origin of Kung Fu
Everlasting Martial-Art Tradition of the Zen
Meritorious Feats by Monk Soldiers, a Brilliant Page in History
Mimic boxing, a Superb Martial Art
Eighteen Shaolin Martial Arts
Incredible Kung Fu Rarely known to the world
Sharpness of Sword from Diligence in Whetting
The World-Famous Shaolin Temple
http://www.shaolin.nl/history.html
The history of the Shaolin Temple (north and south) and their fighting monks has been a long, exiting, honored tradition, full of political intrigue.Through the ages, the Shaolin Temples have been built, burned down, and rebuilt many times. Even so, through all its tribulations, it has never ceased to be a training ground and holy place for the monks. Out of about 1,500 years, it has been totally closed and deserted only a handful of years and even then, monks trained there at night secretly. Shaolin’s fighting monks, of which at its peak numbered thousands, had a reputation throughout China for being highly honorable, most courageous, and greatly skilled. They served as role models for the virtuous and spiritual warrior.Oddly enough, the Shaolin fighting arts came from a pacifist beginning: the merger of the spiritual philosophies of Buddhism and Taoism. The first main Shaolin temple was located in Henan (Honan) province, along the north side of Shoa Shih mountain, and built by the royal decree of Emperor Hsiao Wien during the early Northern Wei dynasty (386-534 AD) for an Indian Buddhist monk named Butuo (or Fo Tuo in Chinese) who is most remembered today by his statue, which depicts a fat and jolly seated monk, the "Laughing Buddha." The temple originally consisted of a round dome used as a shrine and a platform where Indian and Chinese monks translated Indian Buddhist scriptures into Chinese, toiling both day and night.
http://pages.eidosnet.co.uk/kungfumaster/shaolin.html
This philosophical concept of 'oneness' is further emphasised by the fact that just 'silent sitting' in meditation was not enough to transcend the suffering of life on the physical plane. Simply ignoring the 'physical' world does not make it 'go away.' Practicing the in-depth and diverse movements of the many styles of martial art – with a concentrated and developed mind (acquired through seated meditation) creates the perfect balance of 'mind' and 'body.' For when the physical body is aligned, and that body is merged with the 'One Mind,' universal energy flows and there is nothing that can not be achieved. If the Mind is enlightened through seated meditation, that is its essence; when the Mind moves the body on the physical plane, that is its function. All things accord, and there is peace.
http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=626