What is the Shaolin Temple
Nestled in the foothills of Song Mountain in the Henan Province of China, the Shaolin Temple is one of the most iconic and revered cultural landmarks in the world. Established in 495 CE, the temple was originally built to house the Indian monk Batuo, who introduced early Buddhist teachings to China. Over time, it became the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and earned legendary status as the heart of traditional Chinese martial arts.
For centuries, the Shaolin monks have combined spiritual practice with physical discipline, creating a unique legacy that blends meditation, philosophy, and kung fu. The temple has withstood dynastic changes, invasions, and even destruction, yet it remains a powerful symbol of resilience, cultural heritage, and spiritual devotion. Today, the Shaolin Temple continues to attract visitors and disciples from around the globe, offering a living connection to China's rich religious and martial traditions.
What is Kung Fu
"Shaolin Kung fu refers to the traditional cultural system that
has formed in the particular Buddhist cultural environment in Shaolin Temple of Songshan Mountain over long history."
Legendary Beginnings
Legend has it that Bodhidharma invented kung fu during his time at the Shaolin Temple. He felt that the monks there had grown weak and unhealthy from long hours of meditation and devised a series of movements meant to increase blood flow, strengthen muscle, and improve longevity. During their travels the monks discovered they could use these movements to defend themselves against bandits and kung fu was born. Although it is merely a legend, it is historically accurate that kung fu has been practiced at the Shaolin Temple throughout it's long history.
What Makes Shaolin Unique
Shaolin kung fu combines Buddhist beliefs, Chan wisdom, and martial arts to form a complex system that achieves the best form of movement for the human body. The ancient Chinese believed that people should be one with nature. As a result, only movements that aligned with the natural structure of the human body were used in Shaolin kung fu. It's series of movements were based on the medical knowledge available to the ancient Chinese and the concept of balance; soft and hard, yin and yang. They were arranged to give full play to the range of movement of the human body and to combine both movement and stillness, hardness and softness. Throughout the years Shaolin kung fu has updated and evolved, continuing to change and reform itself while still retaining the essence of Chan Buddhism at its core.