Martial art for the shaolin monks

[Tobias_Reece]

Hi Guys

 

In our dojo we often quiz each other on questions to do with the martial arts.

 

Recently, a student asked us (the instructors) "What was the martial art practiced by the shaolin monks?"

 

At first, I though Shaolin Su-kenpo (sp?), but apparantly that is not the answer. I also thought that the monks invented their own martial art anyway.

 

But does anybody know? please help me

 

C ya

 

 

[Tim Greer]

I was going to offer an answer, or at least attempt to. However, I there's so many opinions, theories and assumptions, that it's almost impossible to say anything about it without people offering conflicting or opposing content, which is understanable, but makes the answer(s) pretty unhelpful.

 

 

[Angus]

Dude, wasn't it Kung Fu? haha.

 

Shaolin-Do or something. pfft, i dunno.

 

Angus

 

 

[Taesujutsudrw]

TR,

 

I am really pressed for time right at the moment...but I will come back in sometime before tommorrow and give you the info I got while I was in China.

 

It may be just one version..but it does seem to fit what I have here in the history books..

 

Anyway, it will give you a good idea as to where it came from.

 

Peace,

 

Tae

 

 

[Karateka]

There was an Indian monk named Bhodidharma. He made the trek from Northern India to China. He stayed at a monastary called Shaolin Szu. He taught the monks there the way of Bhuddism. However, while teaching them meditation techniques, he realised that they were passing out and he had to teach them Indian Martial Arts so they could sustain themselves. This is how the Chinese learned their Martial Arts.

 

There are many theories but this is the widely accepted one and the one told by the Shaolin Monks and India.

 

 

[Taesujutsudrw]

Meditation is not a martial art.

 

There is a little more to it than that.

 

Good short version though..sweet and to the point.

 

Peace,

 

Tae

 

 

[Karateka]

I could say that at first he was rejected and went to live in a cave and then returned when he was 70. The Indian meditation techniques are different then most. The emptiness of the mind would also mean giving up desires. That desire would also mean giving up breathing for long periods of time. The monks at Shaolin Szu were mentally trained and not physically. Bhodidharma said that Bhudda told us to work on the soul, yet the body and the soul are inseperable, so therefore, to work one you must work the other. His exercises were kick and punchs and different techniques that made Shaolin Boxing what it is.

 

 

[Taesujutsudrw]

I will put out the real history tonight.

 

According to what I was told in China..and what I have read he never was rejected...that is just legend.

 

The only rejection was form the first emperor he visited..but then he went further up river. )

 

Anyway..I will give what i have..because I think you will find it interesting.

 

Of cousre I just wanted to add some and you may be able to use it.

 

Bye for now.

 

Peace,

 

Tae

 

 

[Karateka]

All I posted was what I learned from other Indian monks.

 

 

[Taesujutsudrw]

Nothing wrong with that..I just thought you might like some more history from the Chinese.

 

Peace,

 

tae