Can girls do training in the shaolin temple

[ovine king]

first of all, no need for you to reply to this post goju boi, just read it and take it in.

I was talking about the comment of girls not being accepted into shaolin style training.

Now of course there are Shaolin schools in existence, and yes, in America, many do accept female students.

read that quote carefully and see where you went wrong.

[shogeri]

Let's go back in time, as I enjoy Asian history, since it was something I studied in college, and throughout my life.

The place for women in historical china was the home. Filial piety, humility, and home bound duties were a woman's primary function.

Foot binding began, among the rich, upper class around the time of the T'ang Dynasty (618), and lasted until the late 19th century, and in some smaller remote places until the early part of the 20th century, depending on those who fell under the law, and who accepted the legal change in custom.

It is noted that roughly 1 billion women had their feet bound during that time.

In sum, thanks to foot binding the women could not walk very far, restricting their ability to wander off, and they became highly dependent upon men, either husbands or fathers.

Because of the social customs we can see that many women simple did not have the luxury either traditionally, culturally, or physically - to join the Shaolin Monastery/Temple.

Historically, the Shaolin Temple has taught martial arts as a vehicle to further the spiritual cultivation of its monks.

Other Temples did not use this method of aiding their Buddhist cultivation

Though many customs in China have been relaxed, it would seem that women still do not fall heavily into the practice of the Traditional Kung Fu, but do excel well in Taijiquan, and Modern Wushu Dance.

On that note, in China, the YongTai Temple that was built about 1,500 years ago for Princess Ming Lian, the only (or most notable) female student of Da Mo, finished it's renovation in 2003.

I believe it's open to the public, and plans have been in the making for re-establishing as a place where women can become Buddhist (Nuns) with training in the Shaolin Arts.

Located in Dengfeng County in central China's Henan Province, the Northern Shaolin Temple was built in the foothills of the sacred Songshan Mountain in AD 495 during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534).

With that, we find that the trend is to bring Shaolin Kung Fu, as used within the Buddhist sect, back into mainstream practice.

In sum, I just wanted to clarify this statement I made:

The historical Shaolin Monks like you see in the movies no longer exist.

Meaning, the purpose of Shaolin throughout the late 70's, 1980's, and 1990's was misguided thanks to the media, and the travel industry.

It has since been steered back to it's orginal path of Buddhism, with Shaolin being a vehicle for the cultivation of their original path.

Note that this school in Henan, is partially controlled by the government and is subject to the whims of the travel and tour industry. Thus, it is questionable as to it's future.

There are many branches of Shaolin, and many temples.

The Shaolin Temples have a long history of going from personal enrichment, to warfare, to near distinction, and then slowly back to there spiritual beginnings.

The Martial Art practices themselves are not spiritual, and in some ways, the history of Chinese Martial Arts, makes it hard to explain to other's that there is indeed a difference.

The USA Shaolin Temple, a direct lineage school of the Fighting Monks of Southern Shaolin (such as in Fujian), does teach to women and children. This is based upon what I have found so far.

They can be found here for further info:

https://www.usashaolintemple.com

I figured I would update my last post with this one, after some further research.

[Goju_boi]

I guess u aced that class.Anyways wasn't wing chun developed by a nun in the southern temple?

[MenteReligieuse]

so the myth says, it has no historical facts to back it up.

[shogeri]

Like mentioned before there are many different angles to this story.

Here are some more thoughts:

In some sense, women, though few, were allowed into the temple, since some older manuscripts and drawings suggest such. Perhaps it was also the thought of women back then, that they felt out of place among so many men.

If you lived back then, you certainly wouldn't want the whole culture of China to send all the female population to the Shaolin temple since they treated people as equals within the wall, save for rank, or position.

Outside of Shaolin walls, women had their place.

It was just more prevailent that history focus on the man's journey, even though the way of Buddhism was universal regardless of gender.

However, for the longest time, there wasn't an all female temple until the Yong Tai was built.

I believe as time, society, and culture permitted the role of women shifted quite often.

All the arts of the temple were aimed at leading one closer to enlightenment by providing tools to make a whole person, both physically, spiritually, and mentally.

They also learned crafting, and trades.

There were 5 main temples, though not all of them may have been operating at the same time. Also, many of them were burnt down, and then rebuilt throughout the turbulent history. These 5 primary temples were, Henan (Hunan), Fukian (Fujian), Kwangtung, Wutang, and O Mei Shan.

Each served a different purpose or function. Think of them collectively as a university if you will.

The first four temples had the brands of the tiger and dragon on the left and right forearms respectively. Sometimes the phoenix and a dragon was chosen, or two dragons.

The O mei shan temple had the mantis and the crane on the right and left forearms. Or sometimes, dual cranes.

Another reason for fewer women turnout, is that at some point, the Shaolin temple was putting our warriors. Now the military itself was male-dominated.

It is noted, or accepted that Ng Mui, (buddhist nun, Bil Gee master and Dim Mak expert) helped develop Wing Chun Kung Fu, founded Dragon shape boxing and Wu Mei boxing.

Shaolin also shifted between a Taoist focus and a Buddhist one. During war, more emphasis was placed on the fighting aspects of course. Or one would logically come to such conclusion.

There a myths, legends, folklore, paintings, poems, and literature, that suggest a wide array of different stories surrounding the Shaolin way of life.

That's all for now...

Have a great day!

[Goju_boi]

lol,"stay tuned for tommorows lessonon chinese history"

[shogeri]

I get long winded...sorry...lol

gasp. gasp...I write so much, I take the air out the room, and my brain...helppp mmmeeee...

[Goju_boi]

calm down