Kung Fu Training at the Shaolin Temple

Shaolin kung fu is one of the oldest and most respected martial arts in the world. Many Asian martial arts can call Shaolin kung fu their predecessor. The birthplace of Shaolin kung fu, the Shaolin Temple, sits at the base of the Song mountain range in Henan province, China. The Shaolin Temple receives visitors from all over the world interested in viewing the legendary temple and its kung fu.

  1. History

    • Martial arts training at the Songshan Shaolin Temple began as early as the Northern Song dynasty (960-1126 AD), according to Meir Shahar of Tel Aviv University. By the Ming dynasty, the fighting monks of Shaolin had become famous for their exceptional fighting skills and many books had been written about them. Military and political leaders of the day would often visit the Shaolin Temple to witness the Shaolin martial arts and participate in training.

    Modern

    • Master Shi Yong Xin officially became the new abbot of the Shaolin Temple in 1991, and the under his direction, the temple was completely renovated to restore areas that had been destroyed during the cultural revolution. One of his many responsibilities is to oversee the monks’ martial arts training. Training takes place on the temple grounds throughout the day.

    Daily Regimen

    • The monks wake up in the early hours of the morning and begin their day with meditation. Because the Shaolin Temple is a Chan Buddhist temple, the abbot emphasizes meditation and Buddhist religious duties with daily kung fu practice, and much of the day is spent focusing on their responsibilities as Buddhist monks. Throughout the day, the monks also practice Shaolin kung fu forms--or “taolu”--as well as sparring, weight lifting and stretching.

    Requirements

    • To live and train at the Shaolin Temple, a student must dedicate his life to Buddhism and live the strict life of a Buddhist monk. He must also be dedicated, patient, strong and determined. Kung fu training at the temple is difficult, and there is little time for extra-curricular activities. Therefore, a student must be willing to sacrifice his time for the art of Shaolin kung fu. New students are usually young, Chinese and hand-selected by the temple's masters.

    Foreigners

    • For many years it was not possible for foreigners to train inside the Shaolin Temple. However, there are a few masters that allow limited training for foreigners within the walls of the temple, as of 2010. The training does not take place with the monks, is not under the direction of the abbot, and is usually taught by the masters’ students or coaches. One area of the temple called Wushu Guan, is where most foreigners are taught. A large training center was built in Wushu Guan in 2002, and it's devoted mostly to foreign kung fu students.