The origin of Shaolin martial arts can be traced back to the legendary Indian monk Bodhidharma (chin. 菩提達摩), who came to a monastery around 523 to introduce Chan Buddhism there.
He allegedly realized that the monks there did not have enough stamina to endure the hours of meditation that they had to participate in daily.
Together with the doctor Hua Tuo he developed Wu Qin Xi (chin. 五禽戲) also called “the game of the five animals", a compilation of forms which belong to the old practices of Qi Gong and is therefore considered to be the origin of Wu Xing Xi (chin. 五形戲). The exercises of the "Game of Five Animals" support the internal organs. Five of those are assigned to Yin and five to Yang.
He then developed two qigong forms named Yi Jin Jing (Chinese 易筋經) "Transformation of the Tendons and Ligaments", (various breathing techniques to improve endurance) and Xi Sui Jing (Chinese 洗髓經) "Washing of the Mark", (to develop self-discipline and inner strength). These movements evolved into a famous form known as Shiba Luohan Shou (Chinese 十八羅漢手) "the 18 hands of the Arhats". The purpose of the exercises was primarily to strengthen the body sufficiently.
Bodhidharma is also said to have designed the Wu-de*, which exhorted discipline, self-control, humility, and respect for life. Since it became apparent that those trained who trained this way were more successful in self-defense, the exercises began to develop even further.
The Shaolin Temple is the only monastery that has fighting monks. This is due to the liberation of Prince Li Shimin by the Shaolin monks from enemy captivity. Li Shimin, who was later crowned emperor and is beloved as the best ruler in China to this day, bestowed great honors on the monks of Shaolin. Out of gratitude, he gave the monastery special permission for martial monks to live in the monastery. Thus, in the early period of the Tang Dynasty (618-714), the monastery developed into a Buddhist powerhouse in China. It had more than 5,000 halls and over 2,000 monks. Thus, the monastery became the starting point for the spread of Chan Buddhism throughout China and East Asia.
In the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) all Buddhist temples in the country were placed under the leadership of the abbot of Shaolin Monastery by the emperor. During the following Ming Dynasty (1368 -1644) the Shaolin culture, consisting of Buddhism, Shaolin Kung Fu and healing medicine, experienced an enormous boom.
In the first half of the 20th century, the monastery was destroyed and burned several times - the last time in 1928. Each time, the monks managed to rebuild the temple and continue the old tradition in its glory.
*Wu De - The ethics of traditional Chinese martial arts
the 5 virtues of the mind: the 5 virtues of action:
Will (Yi Zhi)
Perseverance (Ren Nai)
Perseverance (Yi Li)
Patience (Heng Xin)
Courage (Yong Gan)
Humility (Qian Wu)
Respect (Zun Jing)
Trust (Xin Ying)
Loyalty (Zhong Cheng)
Righteousness (Zheng Yi)
