Shaolin
 The Shaolin Temple is considered the birthplace of martial arts. Although this may not be true from a purely physical stand point Kung Fu underwent dramatic changes in the temple and became an art. Before Shaolin, Kung Fu was only comprised of fighting techniques. While in Shaolin temple the religion of Chan Buddhism and the practice of Qigong were integrated with the combat techniques to create a complete training regimen and an art. The Shaolin temple was built in 495 AD in Song Shan in Henan province China. Until 520 AD no physical training took place. All that changed when Damo (Bodhidharma) an Indian priest arrived. He was invited be the emperor at the time but the emperor basically wanted to know how much "Karma credit" he gained by building statues and temples to honor Buddha. The emperor was angry with Damo's response when he told the emperor that these shrines meant nothing and the true path to enlightenment lie inside. Damo left the emperor's court and soon arrived at the Shaolin temple.
When Damo joined the monks, he observed that they were not in good physical condition. The Shaolin monks lacked the physical and mental stamina needed to perform even the most basic of Buddhist meditation practices. Damo began to sit in cross-legged meditation facing a rock cliff next to a cave close to the Shaolin Monastery. He remained there in absolute silence for nine years. But do not get the impression that Bodhidharma was staring at the rock wall for twenty-four hours a day.
When Damo came down from the cave he countered this weakness by teaching them moving exercises, designed to both enhance Chi flow and build strength. These sets were modified from Indian yogas. Although Buddhism is aimed specially at the salvation of the soul. Bodhidharma explained to the monks that body and soul are inseparable. He then transmitted orally his exercise forms which were transcribed by later monks as 1. The Muscle Change Classic 2. The Marrow Washing and 3. The Eighteen Hand Movements of The Enlightened One (the eighteen lo han shou).
It is hard to say just when the exercises becomes "martial arts". The Shaolin temple was in a secluded area where bandits would have traveled, so the martial side of the temple probably started out to fulfill self-defense needs.
Written By Sifu Rino Côté
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