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Kung fu fights for fame in hi-tech era
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-31 07:06
The kung fu tradition
Shaolin Temple has reason to showcase its pride. As a renowned temple
probably the most famous one on the Chinese mainland, it is not only known for
its long history and its role in Chinese Buddhism, but also because of its
martial arts. As one saying goes, "all martial arts are from Shaolin."
Records say that Bhurdha, an Indian monk, came to Luoyang in AD 5th century
for spreading Buddhism at that period. Emperor Xiaowen a believer of Buddhism
decided to build the temple in the Songshan Mountains to house Batuo, who
translated many Buddhist works and had a few hundred followers there.
Later, Damo (Bodhidharma), the legendary Indian monk, came to Shaolin in 517,
and became the creator of Chinese Zen Buddhism, or Mahayana sect of Buddhism.
One story even said he meditated for nine years in a cave, which is now called
Damo Cave. Many people believe he wrote the famous "Yijinjing," the base of
Shaolin kung fu.
However, many people believed the monks developed the kung fu through their
hard work for generations. Located in a strategic area which forced the monks to
protect the temple and themselves from wars or any invasion, Shaolin monks had
to develop fighting skills. And with the support of some emperors from different
dynasties, which came after the 13 Shaolin monks once saved Li Shimin, the
temple was allowed to have its own soldier-monks. Kung fu has become one of its
top traditional heritages.
Shaolin is also known for its many noted relics. There are over 300 ancient
stone inscriptions, and the large mural of 500 arhats in the Qianfo Hall was
from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). There are 232 pagodas from different
dynasties, known as the forest of pagodas, with oldest one dating back to the
Tang Dynasty. The pagodas are the tombs of the celebrated Shaolin monks. There
are also the Devajara Hall (Hall of the Heavenly Kings), the Mahavira Hall (or
Daxiongbaodian), the Sutra-Keeping Pavilion, and the Hall of Abbot (or Fangzhang
Hall).
With its merits accumulated in the last 1,500 years by generations of
venerated patriarchs and monks, the temple has achieved worldwide fame and
influence today as one of the most cherished facets of traditional Chinese
culture.
The Shaolin Temple Overseas Headquarters is the official subsidiary branch of
the legendary temple, spreading word of this precious cultural treasure outside
of China. Currently, special organizations for imparting Shaolin kung fu have
been set up in more than 10 countries including the United States, Holland,
France, Belgium, Italy, Singapore, and Switzerland. People from around the world
have come to Shaolin to receive kung fu training.
To better protect the temple, the Henan provincial government last year
invested more than 40 million yuan (US$4.93 million) to renovate the legendary
site. A total of 467 nearby households, 37 martial arts schools, 43 enterprises
and government institutions were moved out of the general protection zone.
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