The History of Shaolin Kung Fu
A History of Shaolin Kung Fu - An Ultimate Guide
Deep within the forests of Songshan Mountain in Henan Province lies the Shaolin Monastery – one of the four holy Buddhist temples of China.
This was the birthplace of both Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu - and the first temple that institutionalised Kung Fu.
Read a FULL history of this fascinating legend of the martial arts world.
A monk practises Shaolin Kung Fu in front of an ancient temple
The name of the monastery – Shaolin - is a reflection of its position within the historic forest (林 lín) on Mount Shaoshi, nestled deep within the heartland of the Songshan mountain range.
This little place of peace is rightfully considered to be the cradle of Kung Fu.
Shaolin Kung Fu was named after the Shaolin temple where it originated, and it is believed to be the oldest institutionalised style of Kung Fu.
Chinese folklore has many popular sayings that roughly translate to some version of “All martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin" and "Shaolin Kung Fu is the best under heaven.”
This further shows the deep influence that Shaolin Kung Fu has had over all martial arts that followed!
Two Sides of the Same Coin: Chan and Quan
The legacy of the Shaolin temple is truly remarkable and intricately woven into Chinese heritage and culture.
Mainly, this legacy consists of two parts, Chan (禅), which refers to Chan Buddhism, the religion of Shaolin, and Quan (拳), which refers to the martial arts of Shaolin.
Yet, even though many try to distinguish between them as separate disciplines, the Shaolin monks’ philosophy has always been that of unification of Chan and Quan.
They consider the Quan, the martial art whose history we will explore deeper in this article, to be just a part of the greater legacy – Chan.
Quan – the martial art side - has developed over long centuries and, as a result, it includes plenty of content.
Typically, the teaching of Shaolin Kung Fu is classified as follows.
Basic Skills
Known as "基本功" (jīběn gōng) in Chinese, these skills focus on improving stamina, flexibility and balance.
These skills enhance the body's ability to perform martial manoeuvres.
Within Shaolin Kung Fu, flexibility and balance are specifically referred to as a "childish skill" (童子功; tóngzǐ gōng) and are further divided into 18 postures.
Power Skills
Also called "气功" (qìgōng), power skills encompass different practices. Qigong meditation consists of two types: internal (内; nèi) and external (外; wài).
Internal meditation involves stationary techniques, while external meditation includes dynamic methods such as the Shaolin four-part exercise (si duan gong), eight-section brocade (八段锦; bā duàn jǐn), Shaolin muscle-changing scripture (易筋经; yì jīn jīng) and others.
Additionally, the 72 arts incorporate 36 soft and 36 hard exercises, collectively known as soft and hard qigong.
Combat Skills
Referred to as "拳法" (quánfǎ) in Chinese, combat skills involve various barehanded, weapon-based and barehanded vs. weapon-based routines or styles.
These skills encompass the techniques and strategies employed in combat, including the methods used in sparring (散打; sàndǎ).
But where did all begin? What is the story behind the origins of Shaolin Kung Fu and how did this popular Chinese martial art develop and evolve throughout the years?
Is Shaolin Really the Birth of Martial Arts? Martial Arts Before Shaolin!
Even though Shaolin is widely regarded as “the birthplace” of martial arts, the truth is, forms of martial arts did exist before Shaolin and they were practised by ancient monks, although not nearly as much as Shaolin Kung Fu.
These were well documented in Chinese historical records, such as
Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue
Bibliographies in the Book of the Han Dynasty
Records of the Grand Historian
These sources indicate that martial arts have been part of Chinese culture for thousands of years and long before Shaolin.
Ancient Chinese history, much like other ancient histories, has a thin line that separates myths from historically-confirmed facts.
In a journal article specifically dedicated to revealing the myths and the facts associated with Chinese martial arts, Stanley Henning explains how the Chinese monasteries were large, landed properties with significant sources of regular income, meaning they were often the target of thieves.
As a result, monks from the monasteries found themselves in need of protection.
So, they started collecting weaponry and engaged in the practice of martial arts to be able to protect themselves and their properties.
All of this was historically confirmed by various pieces of evidence that speak about the different martial arts that pre-dated Shaolin Kung Fu.
One of the best examples is probably the Chinese Shuai Jiao – which is the Chinese martial art of wrestling.
Many historical documents confirm this sport pre-dated the establishment of the Shaolin temple by several centuries.
Nonetheless, the reason why many see Shaolin as the origin of Kung Fu is that Shaolin has truly transformed and evolved martial arts to the next level.
It is the place where Shaolin Kung Fu specifically originated and began its development, evolving and spreading its influence over many other martial art forms.
It became a key component of Chinese culture and heritage.
Gotta have good balance to be good at Kung Fu!
The Legends Surrounding the Origin of Shaolin Kung Fu
Today there are several different legends that focus on the origins of Shaolin Kung Fu and who first developed the skills.
Some of these legends appear to originate from the previous centuries, but they were popularised in the 1900s.
Nonetheless, the majority of them, even though widely spread, were disputed, questioned and straight-up labelled as legends due to discrepancies with actual historical documentation.
The Bodhidharma Legend
One of the best examples of an inaccurate legend is the Bodhidharma legend.
This idea actually originated in the 17th century but it was widely popularised through the serialisation of the novel ‘The Travels of Lao Ts'an’ in Illustrated Fiction Magazine from 1904 to 1907.
This legend suggests the idea that Bodhidharma, who is traditionally credited as the transmitter of Chan Buddhism to China and described as the first Chinese patriarch, was also the one who founded martial arts at the Shaolin Temple.
It originated from a now-debunked apocryphal 17th-century legend which was based on a Qigong manual written during that period.
The manual, known as the ‘Sinews Changing Classic’, was written in 1624 by a Taoist using the pseudonym 'Purple Coagulation Man of the Way.’
It showcases in its first preface a lineage tracing from Bodhidharma to the Chinese general Li Jingvia "a chain of Buddhist saints and martial heroes."
However, this work may as well be seen as a work of fiction as it is full of anachronistic mistakes; the manual even includes a popular character from Chinese fiction, the 'Qiuran Ke' ('Bushy Bearded Hero') (虬髯客), as a lineage master.
This further speaks to the level of inaccuracy it contains.
These are just some of the many reasons why people disregard it as anything but a fantasy myth and refer to it as a work of fiction.
Ling Tinkang, a scholar-official from that period, even went as far as referring to the author as an "ignorant village master.”
The Legend of Buddhabhadra
The establishment of the Shaolin Temple in 495 AD is closely related to another legend that speaks about the origins of Shaolin Kung Fu.
Namely, the Indian monk named Buddhabhadra (佛陀跋陀罗; Fótuóbátuóluó), who was simply called Batuo (跋陀) by the Chinese, arrived at the temple from India and originally introduced Buddhism to the temple.
Back in that period, it was actually quite common for Indian monks to be travelling across various monasteries in China and promoting Buddhist teachings.
This visit is actually historically confirmed and there are historical records like the Chinese Buddhist canon that speak about one or both of Batuo’s first Chinese Disciplines - Huiguang (慧光) and Sengchou (僧稠).
The Chinese Buddhist canon specifically documents the Sengchou skillset.
There are also theories that combine legends or hint that both of the first Chinese Shaolin Monks had actually been military men before entering monastic life - and the skillset they brought to the temple originated from there.
Shaolin Kung Fu Development
The development of Shaolin Kung Fu was heavily influenced by several factors throughout the years.
Dynasties as Shaping Factors
Ruling dynasties heavily influenced the development and spread of Shaolin Kung Fu throughout China.
The Sui Dynasty
During the Sui dynasty (581-618), the building blocks were set for the officialisation of Shaolin Kung Fu.
This is the period in which the Shaolin monks began to create fighting systems of their own, which at the end of the dynasty became quite powerful.
More so, the 18 methods of Luohan that were developed and practised by the Shaolin monks from this era became the grounds upon which later, more advanced Shaolin martial arts were developed.
The Tang Dynasty
The Shaolin monks were directly involved and helped the Tang dynasty to become a ruling dynasty.
The end of the Shui dynasty led to uncertain times of upheaval and competition for the throne. Eventually, Wang Shichong declared himself emperor.
The previous emperor, Wen of Sui, had bestowed the estate on a nearby monastery called Shaolin for its monks to farm.
However, when Wang Shichong declared himself emperor, he quickly realised the monastery’s strategic value and decided to seize the estate and place troops at a signal tower, as well as start the establishment of a prefecture called Yuanzhou.
He did not stop there, assembling an army at Luoyang to march on the Shaolin Temple itself.
This resulted in the monks of Shaolin choosing to side with his enemy, Li Shimin, and fight to take back the Cypress Valley Estate.
They successfully defeated Wang's troops and captured his nephew.
More so, they helped in the Battle of Hulao in 621 and once that battle was won, Wang Shichong was officially forced to surrender and Li Shimin's father and Li Shimin himself became the first and second emperors of the Tang Dynasty.
Considering the monks’ significant contribution to the Tang Dynasty rule, the Shaolin enjoyed royal patronage in the following decades.
The Ming Dynasty
In contrast to the period from the 8th to 15th century, where there are no documents that speak of Shaolin participation in combat, in the 16th and 17th centuries this completely changed.
There is plenty of documentation - from epitaphs of Shaolin warrior monks to historical writings, travelogues and even fiction.
These documents confirm that the Shaolin monks didn’t only practice martial arts but evolved the martial practice to such a high level that it had become an integral part of the Shaolin monastic life.
These sources describe Shaolin's combat methods, including unarmed combat, spear fighting and their renowned staff techniques.
Military experts from across Ming China began to travel to Shaolin to study their fighting techniques. Around 1560, Yú Dàyóu visited Shaolin and taught two monks, Zongqing and Pucong, staff techniques.
They returned to Shaolin and passed on their knowledge to their fellow monks, contributing to the development of the Shaolin staff style known as the Five Tigers Interception.
This is also the era that gives us the earliest surviving manual on Shaolin Kung Fu, titled ‘Exposition of the Original Shaolin Staff Method.’
This was written around 1610 and published in 1621 by Chéng Zōngyóu, who had spent over 10 years at the monastery.
The Late Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty
Shaolin Kung Fu experienced significant developments throughout the late Ming Dynasty and the following Qing Dynasty, but not thanks to the Qing Dynasty.
During these eras, the evolution of martial arts occurred, resulting in several martial art disciplines emerging and originating from Shaolin.
Martial arts like Tai Chi - T'ai chi ch'uan, Chang Family Boxing, Bāguàquán, Xíngyìquán and Bajiquan are all believed to have originated from this region and time period, based on the Shaolin teachings.
This happened because of the regime change that occurred after the Ming Dynasty’s 300 years of rule.
The Qing Dynasty did not like the monks of Shaolin and the rulers destroyed the temple in the Henan Province, killing most of the monks in the process.
The few masters that survived managed to go into hiding and practised the art in secrecy.
They transferred their Kung Fu knowledge onto their students in secret and it was from these masters’ teachings that several new styles emerged.
Geology as a Shaping Factor
The geological position of where Shaolin Kung Fu was practised determined its preferred style and main focus.
So the Southern regions, characterised by wet and muddy terrain, ended up putting a greater focus on close-quarters combat.
On the other hand, in densely populated areas like seaports, grappling techniques became more prevalent.
In contrast, the Northern regions, which are more known for their dry and open landscapes, have witnessed the flourishing of long-range techniques, such as jumping kicks.
Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that these distinctions are broad generalisations, and there still is significant overlap in technique, too.
Additional Contributing Factors in the Development of Shaolin Kung Fu
General rulings and geology weren’t the only factors that heavily influenced the development of Shaolin Kung Fu.
There are plenty of individuals who have also tremendously contributed to its development.
Bear in mind that, while for some of these individuals, there is historic evidence of their existence and contributions, for others, much of the information is based on legends.
Chueh Yuan & Pai Yu Feng
Chueh Yuan was a young monk who, at the beginning of the 10th century, created the 72 Movements that focused both on internal and external fitness.
Later on in his journeys he met and teamed up with Pai Yu-Feng who was knowledgeable about the body’s pressure points.
They joined forces to create the 170 exercises that became the stable basis of modern Shaolin Kung Fu.
Zhang Sanfeng
Legend says that Zhang was a monk who came from the Wu-Tang temple and emphasised the importance of internal energy and harmony when practising martial arts.
The legend (not historically confirmed) claims that he was inspired to move in this direction with his teaching due to a fight he watched between a snake and a bird.
He implemented his fascination with this fight into his own teachings and system; that very system is believed to have evolved into the modern-day Tai Chi Chuan.
Hong Xiguan
Hong Xiguan is another legendary figure associated with the development of the Hong Quan style, which is characterised by powerful, explosive movements.
The Animal Styles
Supposedly, the five animal styles are another martial arts trait that originated from Shaolin Kung Fu, even though it is predominantly associated with Southern styles and it’s seen as rare in Northern Shaolin martial arts - and Northern Chinese martial arts in general.
It originally included five animals: the dragon, tiger, crane, leopard and snake.
It is believed to have been inspired by observing and imitating the movements and behaviour of animals in nature.
The practitioners of Shaolin Kung Fu sought to harness the unique qualities and attributes of these animals to enhance their martial arts techniques and combat effectiveness.
The specific techniques and characteristics associated with each animal style were likely developed and refined by multiple individuals and passed down through generations within the Shaolin tradition.
They have evolved into the various animal styles we practice today.
The Fascinating History of Shaolin Kung Fu
The history of Shaolin Kung Fu is a fascinating and diverse tapestry that intertwines facts with myths.
It is a martial art deeply rooted in the ancient traditions of the Shaolin Temple, where countless generations of monks and practitioners have contributed to its development.
The evolution of Shaolin Kung Fu has given rise to various styles and branches, each with its own unique techniques and philosophies.
It is important to understand that the contributions to Shaolin Kung Fu are a collective effort rather than the result of individual achievements.
Despite the challenges in distinguishing historical facts from legends, the enduring legacy of Shaolin Kung Fu stands as a testament to its significance in the world of martial arts, inspiring practitioners with its rich history, profound philosophy and effective combat techniques.
