Articles on Shaolin Philosophy

Article by Myra Fox (jymfox@aol.com)

These thoughts came from a combination of sources, one is the book by David Carradine Spirit of Shaolin. Another source was a book by Jou, Tsung Hwa. called the Tao of Tai-Chi Chuan. Other bits are things I have picked up from my sifu, William Vardeman.

There was a Taoist temple in the Shiao-Si Mountains, in the Ho-Nan province of China called the Shao-Lin Temple built in the third century a.d. during the Wei Dynasty.

In 527 a.d. an Indian Bodhidarma master named Ta-Mo came to China and lectured at the temple. He found the monks to be weak and unhealthy, and even prone to fall asleep during sermons and meditations.

He developed several forms of exercise to increase health, develop better posture and increase physical energy. The Yin-Gin Ching or the "change of tendons", and Hsi-Swi Ching or the "marrow washing", and the eighteen Buddha's hands. This was the founding of Shao-Lin Boxing.

After Ta-Mo died, his followers left Shao-Lin or gave up boxing and the exercises were abandoned until several hundred years later, when Joy-Yuang, a master monk who was proficient in boxing and fencing came to teach at the temple. He learned of the eighteen Buddha's hands and improved on it by adding his skills. Thus Shao-Lin Chuan was developed into seventy two hands and gained a wider and more respected reputation.

The treasures of the Shao-Lin Temple were called the five chuans. Chuan designates a fighting form (ex: tai chi is a philosophy but tai chi chuan is a self defense form based on the tai chi philosophy).

1. The original chuans:
2. Dragon Chuan-training attention and spirit
3. Tiger Chuan-strengthing bones and emphasizing jumping.
4. Leopard Chuan-practicing the application of force.
5. Snake Chuan-practice inner breathing, stretching, sensitivity.
6. Crane Chuan-training concentration, stability, accuracy and determination.

The Shaolin philosophy is a blending of Taoist thought with Buddhist ideas.

Article by Anita Kappello (ACappe1559@aol.com)

These are the basics that guide the Shaolin and the followers of the Tao:

"the beginning is the essence of all that must be known, and the place where all must return."

Skill is the essence of the Shaolin. They, as scholar warriors, strive to develope a wide variety of talents to a degree greater than even a specialist in that particular field. Poet, doctor, swordsman, musician , the Shaolin uses each part of his overall ability to keep the whole in balance. Uncertainty of the future inspires no fear, whatever happens, the Shaolin (scholar warrior) has the confidence to face it.

The Shaolin (followers of the Tao) believe that it is humanity's refusal to regard itself as a part of a greater order that causes confusion, ignorance and sorrow. They feel that if human beings could balance themselves with this order, they would live a simple life of happiness and understanding.

For the Shaolin, a complete path of life is deeply spiritual. But the definition of spiritual is unique. They define it as rooted in the body and rooted in the life itself. The spirit is not sparate from any other aspect of living. They must be fitted together into a cohesive approach, organize through the dualities of the mental and the physical.

To the true Shaolin, nothing is overlooked, all factors are equally important. With practice, balance becomes second nature. With this you will live longer and healthier. You will develope insight into the deepest meaning of life. The symbol of the Tao: the Path.

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