Shaolin Temple

The Shaolin Temple - 少林寺

2006-03-24T11:10:00Z

The Shaolin temple (chin.: Shàolínsì 少林寺) is a Chinese Buddhist monastery famed for its Chan Buddhism (chin.: chánfó 禅彿) and its martial arts (chin.: wǔgōng 武功). According to the Continued Biographies of Eminent Monks (chin.: xùgāosēngchuán 续高僧传, 645) by Daoxuan (chin.: dàoxuān 道宣, 596-667), an eminent Indian monk came to China in the fifth century right through India and China, crossing the huge barrier of the Himalaya (chin.: Xǐmǎlāyǎ 喜马拉雅) mountain range, teaching Xiao Sheng Buddhism (chin.: Xiǎoshèng 小乘). Emperor Tuoba Hong (chin.: Tuòbáhóng 拓跋宏), posthumous Beiwei Xiaowendi (chin.: Běiwèixiàowéndì 北魏孝文帝 - 471AD to 499AD) enacted an edict to establish the Shaolin Si (Young --New Planted-- Forest Temple the famous Shaolin Monastery) for this Unknown Great Buddhist Monk of the west, called Ba Tuo Luo (chin.: bátuóluó 跋陀羅); on the north side of the Shao Shi Shan (chin.: shǎoshìshān 少室山) of Mount Song (chin.: Sōngshān 嵩山), northwest of Deng Feng city (chin.: Dēngfēngshì 登封市), at Henan province.

Yang Xuanzhi, (chin.: yángxuànzhī 楊衒之) in the Record of the Buddhist Monasteries of Luoyang (chin.: Luòyángqiélánjì 洛陽伽藍記; 547), and Li Xian (chin.: lǐxián 李賢), in the Ming Yitongzhi (chin.: míngyītǒngzhì 明一統志; 1461), concur with Daxuan’s location and attribution of the Shaolin Temple.

The Jiaqing Chongxiu Yitongzhi (chin.: Jiāqìngchóngxiūyītǒngzhì 嘉慶重修一統志; 1843) specifies that the Shaolin monastery, located in the province of Henan (chin.: Hénán 河南), was build, in the 20th year of the Tai He era (chin.: Běiwèitàihéshíjiǔnián 北魏太和十九年)—the “Era of Supreme Harmony” (477-499)—of northern Wei (386-534), namely 496 AD.

Since the Shaolin temple was deep in the woods (translated as Lin - forest in Chinese) of Shao Shi Shan (chin.: shǎoshìshān 少室山), it is known as Young Forest Temple (chin.: Shàolínsì 少林寺). Jing Rizhen of the early Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), explained this in his book Mount Song: Shaolin means woods in Shao Shi Shan.

Venerable Tanlin

2007-08-13T08:25:00Z

The biography of The Dharma Master, Bodhidharma (chin.: Pútídámó 菩提達摩) and explication of his “Treatise on the Two Entrances and Four Practices – (chin.: èrrùsìxíng lùn 二入四行论)” of principle and practice were compiled by Ven. Master Tanlin (chin.: Tánlín 曇林, 506–574) in the first half of the 6th century in Eternal Peace Temple (chin.: Yǒngníngsì 永寧寺) in Luoyang.

Venerable Master Tanlin, or Armless Lin (chin.: wúbìlín 无臂林) as he is known of the Continued Biographies of Eminent Monks (chin.: Xù gāosēng zhuàn 續高僧傳), not only was a member of the Bodhidharma circle, but also had an illustrious reputation as one deeply involved in the translation of Indian Buddhist books into Chinese. Tanlin has been considered a disciple (chin.: túdi 徒弟) of Bodhidharma, but he was also a student of Master Hui Ke (chin.: Huìkě 慧可). He knew Sanskrit to some degree, perhaps quite well. Though we possess no biography for this scholar monk, translation records and prefaces, a genre that provides us with a wealth of detail concerning the history of Buddhist translation in China, tell us that he took part in many translation projects at the great monasteries of the Eastern Wei (chin.: Dōngwèi 東魏, 534-550) capital Ye (chin.: Yè 鄴)—an ancient Chinese city located in what is now Linzhang (chin.: Línzhāng 臨漳) County, Hebei and the neighbouring Anyang (chin.: Ānyáng 安陽) County, Henan—during the late 530’s and early 540’s.

Shaolin last destructions

2007-04-12T14:06:00Z

The Warlords were to cause the third attack on Shaolin. Chiang Kai Shek (chin.: Jiang Jieshi 蔣介石, 1887 - 1975) worked to reunite China by putting together a huge army in his Northern Expedition (chin.: běi fa 北伐,1926-1928), which was to rid the countryside of the warlords once and for all. At the 17th year of the Republic of China (1928) Shi Yousan (chin.: shíyǒusān 石友三, 1891 - 1940) a low rank officer of warlord Feng Yu Xiang (chin.: Féngyùxiáng 冯玉祥, 1882 - 1948) was appointed to drive out the warlord Fan Zhong Xiu (chin.: fánzhōngxiù 樊钟秀, 1888 - 1930), the commander of the 4th regiment in Henan Province.

General Fan was from Pingdingshan (chin.: Píngdǐngshān 平顶山 ) Xiazhuang village (chin.: xiàzhuāng 夏庄 ). Back in 1901 he was studied Shaolin Wugong under Venerable Master Shi Henling (shìhénglín 釋恒林, 1865 -1923) for three years and he was a good friend with, Venerable Shi Miao Xing (chin.: shì miàoxìng 釋妙兴1891-1927), who was known as an extraordinary martial artist and the commander of the first ever regiment of the Shaolin Monks soldiers.

Shaolin Heritage in Japan

2007-03-10T10:55:00Z

Shaolin has witnessed many exchanges between China and foreign lands in Buddhist culture. Volumes of Ancient Sanskrit scriptures were translated into Chinese by resident Indian monks and stored at this Holy Place into Tripitaka Pavilion known as Zang Jing. It is recorded that more than 5480 manuals stored in 12 libraries inside this building. Shaolin Chan Buddhism and Martial Arts is being extensively popularized in the world. Its overseas spreading can be dated back to the Sung dynasty (960 - 1279).

It was during Sung dynasty (960 - 1279) period that Chan was first established in Japan. Within 30 years of each other, two Japanese monks, Myōan Eisai (chin.: míngānróngxī 明菴栄西, April 20, 1141–July 5, 1215) and Dōgen Zenji (chin.: dàoyuánchánshī 道元禅師, 19 January 1200–22 September 1253), went to China, where they trained respectively in the Linji (chin.: Linji-zong 臨済宗, Japanese, Rinzai) and Chao Dong (chin.: Cáodòngzōng 曹洞宗, Japanese, Soto) schools of Chan. Rinzai emphasizes the use of Sutras (chin.: jīng 经卷), mental stumbling blocks or riddles that the meditator must solve to the satisfaction of his master.

Bowing

2007-02-06T13:33:00Z

The Buddhist practice of bowing to the Buddha (chin.: jūgōngduìpúsà 鞠躬对菩萨) diminishes one's habits of self-importance, pride, and arrogance. It is also a good physical exercise that can make the body strong. Bowing in Buddhism cuts across the lines of traditions and schools. Bowing has been part of Buddhist practice since the Buddha’s time in India and continues to this day.

Within the Buddhist Sangha (chin.: Sēngjiā 僧伽), or monastic community, the daily liturgical schedule began and ended with dozens if not hundreds of ritual prostrations. On ceremony days, clergy and laity alike might engage in the practice of liturgical repentance and bow up to ten thousand times. Monks (chin.: bǐqiū 比丘) and nuns (chin.: bǐqiūní 比丘尼) bow to the images of Sages, Awakened Beings, and the Buddhas, to their superiors, and to each other.

Bowing to the Buddha is like Bowing to the Buddha Within, it is more than a simple gesture; a bow is an act of veneration -- for us and for all.

Venerable Shaolin Master Shi Yong An

Shaolin Liuhebafa

2007-01-02T13:24:00Z

It is believed that Shaolin Wu Gong (chin.: Shàolínwǔgōng 少林武功) and all its derivates belong to the hard or external arts (chin.: wai 外), but in fact in the Shaolin training, internal arts (chin.: nei 内) and external are both interrelated. One of the most well-known painting of the Shaolin Temple is the painting in The White clothes Hall (chin.: Bai Yi Dian 白衣殿) , situated at the east side of 1000 Buddha’s Hall (chin.: Qianfo Dian 千佛殿) showing on the north and south walls murals of Shaolin monks in their daily wugong armed and unarmed practice in sixteen pairs. These murals (chin.: Bìhuà 壁畫) are a vivid representation of various styles of Shaolin Boxing (chin.: Shàolínquánfǎ 少林拳法) of the ancient times. Very few know that in the centre of these murals there is the painting of a famous Monk with the name Shi Zhan Ju. He was a famous Shaolin Martial Monk and he has been practicing a kind of Shaolin boxing that is called Six Directions Method (chin.: liùhébǎfǎ 六合把法). This rare art of Shaolin Monastery still exists as part of the Buddhist Tradition of the Shaolin Temple (chin.: Shàolín chuántǒng 少林傳統) and it is known as one of the highest levels of Buddhist Shaolin Wugong.

Many confuse the Shaolin Liuhebafa and Liuhebafa (chin.: liùhébāfǎ 六合八法 also called: Six Harmonies Eight Methods, water boxing, or Hwa Yu after the mountain where it was conceived), of the Daoist monk (chin.: dàozhǔ 道主) Chen Bo (chin.: chénbó 陈搏, 871-989) which is something wrong; or even identified with Eight Methods (chin.: bāfǎ 捌法) which was developed by Li De Mao (chin.: lǐdémào 李德茂) during the Qing dynasty (chin.: Qīng cháo 清朝, 1644 - 1911); which is also wrong.

Vegetarianism

2006-12-17T09:10:00Z

Taking fish and meat by itself does not make a man become impure. A man makes himself impure by bigotry, deceit, envy, self-exaltation, disparagement and other evil intentions. Through his own evil thoughts and actions, man makes himself impure. There is no strict rule in Buddhism (according to the Pali scriptures) that the followers of the Buddha should not take fish and meat. The only advice given by the Buddha is that they should not be involved in killing intentionally or they should not ask others to kill any living being for them. However, those who take vegetable food and abstain from animal flesh are praiseworthy. On the other hand, in Mahayana scriptures Buddha categorically prohibited consumption of the flesh of any animal that was "seen, heard or suspected" to have been killed specifically for the benefit of monks.
(Jivaka Sutra, Majjhima Nikaya 55).

It should be noted that there are two main classes of scriptures in Buddhism, those of the Pali Cannon, which form the foundation of Theravada Buddhism and the Mahayana, which represents the Buddhism of China, Japan, Korea, etc. The Pali Cannon was written around 80 BC and the Mahayana in approximately 100 to 400 AD.

Venerable Fuyu

2006-12-08T16:36:00Z

During twelve century a very special child was born to the Zhang (chin.: zhāng 张) family in Wen Shui County (chin.: Wénshuǐ 文水) in Shanxi province (chin.: Shānxī 山西). His nickname was “little kid saint” (chin.: shèng xiǎo’ér 圣小兒) because he could read a book just once and has a complete understanding of it. He renounced the world for monk hood (chin.: chūjiā 出家), took the name Fu Yu (chin.: 福裕 fúyù 1203-1275) and began training under monk Xiu Lin Wei (chin.: xiūlínwèi 休林为). Master Fu Yu played a significant role in rebuilding Buddhism during the early Mongol period.

With the gradual weakening of the northern Song Dynasty, the Jurchens (chin.: 女真nǚzhēn), the ancestors of the Manchus who established the Qing Dynasty some 500 years later, conquered and ruled over the northern parts and established the Jin Dynasty (chin.: Jin Chao; 金朝 1115-1234). By 1200, Changan, Kaifeng, and Luoyang, the area where Shaolin Si stood, were under Jin control. Kaifeng had fallen into Jurchen hands in 1127.

The Mongols then swept from the north pushing the Jin out of the region. These conquests created great havoc not only in the population at large but in the monastic world as well. A large number of monasteries in the north were either destroyed or abandoned. It was a time of great tribulation and disruption, as entire cities being abandoned in anticipation of the Mongol invasion, roving bandits became endemic. Some Mongol leaders even proposed a plan to turn northern China into a great pasture land by killing every single Chinese person in the region. It would have been one of the greatest slaughters in human history, if it was not for a Chan monk by the name of Hai Yun (Chin.: 海雲), who among other Chinese religious leaders influenced the Mongol court to abandon their plans.

Qigong

2006-11-02T13:46:01Z

Vital internal energy (chin.: qìgōng 气功) is a Chinese cultivation practice which, according to specific written documents, goes back at least 3000 years ago. During the legendary Chinese ruler’s Tang Yao (chin.: Táng yáo 唐堯 2353 - 2234 BC) monarchy; qigong art used as a form of dancing. The actual origins of Qi Gong, however, are lost in Chinese prehistory. Qi Gong was practiced during the earliest period in order to maintain good health.

In Master Lu’s Spring and Autumn (chin.: lǚshìchūnqiū 呂氏春秋) records which was completed in 239BC we read: In the beginning of the Tao Tang Tribes, the sun was often shut off by heavy clouds and it rained all the time; turbulent waters overflowed the rivers’ banks. People lived a gloomy and dull life and suffered from rigidity of their joints. As a remedy dancing was recommended. From the experience of their long-term struggle with nature, the ancients gradually realized that body movements, exclamations, and various ways of breathing could help readjust certain bodily functions. For example, imitating animal movements such as climbing, looking about, and leaping was found to promote a vital flow of Qi. Pronouncing “Hi” was found to either decrease or increase strength, “Ha” could disperse heat, and “Xu” could alleviate pain. In this way, Qigong was brought into being.

Venerable Guan Xiu

2006-10-09T12:07:00Z

The Arhats (chin.: luóhàn 羅漢) are the enlightened beings of Buddhism (chin.: Fójiào 佛教), who were disciples of Buddha Sakyamuni (chin.: Shìjiāmóuní 釋迦牟尼) and attained freedom from the cycles of suffering and rebirth. Arhat is translated into Chinese as Luohan. Luohans are those who become enlightened (chin.: zhèngguǒ 證果) by means of the Four Noble Truths (chin.: Sìshèngdì 四聖諦) of suffering, suffering’s origin, suffering’s extinction, and the path leading to suffering extinction. Their enlightenment is not ultimate, because they only enlighten themselves, and do not yet know how to enlighten other beings like the Bodhisattvas (chin.: púsà 菩薩) do.

Master Shi Hai Deng

2006-09-15T05:43:00Z

The representative of the Orthodox Tradition of the Shaolin Chan, Venerable Master Hai Deng (chin.: shìhǎidēng Fǎshī 释海灯法师) was not only an important authority in Martial arts but also he was a Great Master of Shaolin Chan Buddhism.

Even when he was 86 years old, he lived a very active life, participating in the Buddhist conferences in cities like Chengdu and Beijing, reading sutras many hours every day and teaching Wugong to his numerous students and followers. Master Haideng was born on February 8th, 1902 as Fanwubing (chin.: Fàn wúbìng 范无病) in Jiangyou county (chin.: Jiāngyóu 江油) of Sichuan province (chin.: Sìchuānshěng 四川省). He was born in a very poor family. His father was a tailor. Master Haideng started training in Chinese Martial Arts since he was 7 years old. His uncle Xue Jiu Zhi (chin.: xuējiǔzhì 薛久志), a well-known master of Kung Fu in that area, taught him the sword skills.

Guan Yin attendants

2006-09-07T08:34:00Z

In China, Japan, Korean and Southeast Asia, the Goddess of Mercy or widely known as Guan yin (chin.: Guanshiyin 觀世音) is usually represented as a gentle lady in white robes carrying a vase with a willow twig. This image is extremely popular since the Song Dynasty. In India however, images were made portraying Guan yin as a handsome prince wearing a crown bearing the image of his teacher-Buddha Amitabha (chin.: émituofo 阿彌陀佛) . It is also worth mentioning here that in scriptures, Shakyamuni Buddha addresses Guan Yin as “pious man” (chin.: shânnanzi 善男子) which implies that he manifested as a male during Buddha’s time. In Tibet, Guan Yin is still thought of as male and is portrayed as a youth with 4 arms bearing a string of white quartz prayer beads, a wish fulfilling jewel and a white lotus in bloom. There are also other representations showing him with 18, 42 etc hands carrying various ritual implements. Another common convention is to show Guan yin and bodhisattva Da Shi Zhi (大勢至 Vajrapani) on the left and right of Amitabha Buddha respectively. This triad is usually called “ The 3 holy ones of the West”.

Yi Jin Jing 12 Methods

2006-08-04T09:11:00Z

Muscle-Tendon Changing (chin.: Yi Jin Jing 易筋经) is one of the Venerable Bodhidharma’s timeless teachings and have been considered the key to long-lasting youth. The term Yijinjing can be translated also as regeneration of the Body and Tendon-Transformation and Marrow-Purification method.

Bodhidharma’s Yi Jin Jing is one of the most well kept Martial Arts (chin. wugōng 武功)technique of the Songshan Shaolin Monastery (chin.: Sōngshān Shàolínsì 嵩山少林寺). Practicing Bodhidharma’s Yi Jin Jing improve the external strength (chin.: Jìn 劲) of the body but also the body flexibility (chin.: róuxìng 柔性.)

The Yi Jin Jing taught the Shaolin Monks (chin.: Shàolínsēng 少林僧) how to build their internal energy (chin.: qi 气) to an abundant level and use it to improve health and change their physical bodies from weak to strong. After the Monks practiced the Yi Jin Jing exercises, they found that not only did they improve their health, but also they also greatly increased their strength. When this training was integrated into the martial arts forms, it increased their martial abilities. This change marked one more step in the growth of the Shaolin Martial Arts (chin.: Shàolín wugōng 少林武功.)

Luohan shiba shou

2006-07-19T12:54:00Z

The Shaolin Tradition (chin.: Shàolín xiāngchuán 少林相传) claims that the 18 Hands of Luohans (chin.: Luóhàn Shíbā shou 羅漢十八手) is the first form (chin.: tào 套) of the Shaolin Martial arts (chin.: Shàolín wugōng 少林武功).

Venerable Bodhidharma (chin.: Pútídámó 菩提達摩) taught these techniques to Shaolin Monks (chin.: Shàolín Sēng 少林僧), for preserving good health (chin.: Jiànzài 健在). But in fact the Venerable master taught them the 18 Subduings; an ancient art a way to get Enlightnent.

The 18 Subduings (chin.: Shíbā kèfúzhe 十八克服着) were being taught as Nata (chin.: Nàtā 衲他) in India (chin.: Yìndù 印度). Nata was an ancient Buddhist term describing the earliest form of the art of ritual movement practiced for spiritual purposes, and used by Vajramutki (Thunderbolt Closed/Clasped Hands) practitioners in India. The ritual movements made up of Mudras (chin.: Yìn 印 a ritual gesture) or pose assumed by a part or all of the body. Nata essentially consist of 18 classical sets of Yins, combined with respiratory patterns, steps, muscle tension and relaxation, and specific meditation techniques.

Shaolin Qinna

2006-07-03T11:49:00Z

Qinna (擒拿) is the famous “seize hold and control” Martial Art of the Chinese Culture. Shaolin Qinna (少林擒拿) is the rare “hold and protect” Martial Art of the Shaolin Culture.

Qinna is the Chinese martial art of seizing and controlling an attacker. It is the root of the Japanese arts of jujitsu (chin.: róushù 柔术) and Aikido (chin.: héqìdào 合気道). Generally, Qinna techniques attack pressure points (chin.: yālìdian 压力点) and lock joints (chin.: suojīnjié 锁筋节) to render an attacker helpless.

Although Qinna techniques are believed to have existed for several thousand years, it was not until 527 C.E. that these techniques were systematically researched and categorized by the Shaolin Temple’s Masters, leading to the creation of many non-lethal techniques, based on Buddhist Non Violence Teaching (chin.: fófēibàolìzhuyì 佛非暴力主义).

Buddhism (chin.: Fójiào 佛教)is built around a general Dharma toward compassion and extreme non-violence. The Shaolin sect of Buddhism differed from other sects of Buddhism by promoting the mastery of the physical self through the martial arts (chin.: wugōng 武功) and the Sitting Meditation (chin.: zuochan 坐禅).