DA mo Statue Shaolin Temple

The birth of Shaolin Kung Fu Wu - Ch’an 

Shaolin Kung Fu is unique from other martial arts, and this unique feature is the union of Ch’an (emptiness or dhyana) and Wu (as wushu or martial arts) – learn and practice martial arts as if one is engaged in Ch’an cultivation, learn and practice martial arts as a means to engage in Ch’an cultivation. The union of Ch’an “the inner practice” and Wu “the outer practice” is the essence of Shaolin Kung Fu; it is also the realization of Shaolin monks over the course of thousands of years. It is the reason behind the miraculous feats, which the monks can perform. 

Goals - Harmony of Body and Mind 

Although Shaolin monks’ kung fu skills are extraordinary; they cannot jump as high as the high jump athletes, or lift as much weight as the weight-lifting athletes or do flips as high as the gymnasts, or maintain balance as well as the acrobats. However Shaolin Kung Fu combines all the above and then infuse them with the Ch’an spiritual goals, then Shaolin Kung Fu achieves perfection. Therefore Shaolin Kung Fu goes after an integrated quality, harmony of body and mind, perfection of human character, improvement in the quality of life. 

Characteristics 

Shaolin Kung Fu is based on self-defense and not for attacking, which is the reason behind its’ measured modest characteristics. The special characteristics of Shaolin Kung Fu are swift movements, subtle focus on internal force, short punchy moves and overpowering opponents by fast movements. 

There are over a few hundred Shaolin Kung Fu routines. Among these there are over ten kinds of classic techniques of fist forms and weapons, the 72 Consummate Skills, the twisting of joints, grappling, bone dismantling, striking the vital acupuncture points, qi gong and all kinds of distinct practices and techniques. All these are “organically” organized into a large and orderly system according to the substance of content, degree of difficulty, and respective grouping.

This system of techniques, it appears as a series of martial arts routines, with each routine consisting of a collection of movements. These in turn arise from the theory of “Liuhe” (Six harmonies) : harmony of hand and feet ; harmony of elbow and knee ; harmony of shoulder and hip ; harmony of mind and intent ; harmony of intent and qi ; and harmony of qi and power.

These routines represent the essence that has endured a selection process lasting through the ages; incorporating experimentations, innovations and new developments. The routines epitomize the optimal method of exercising and fully realizing the latent potential of the human body.

Levels

Shaolin Kung Fu practice entails several stages. The primary stage comprises of grasping the fundamentals, the foundation is for form and appearance and intermediary is for integration of mind and fist. The highest aspect is to guide all with heart and fight with the heart; to achieve the body and mind equanimity. All teaching plans are based on these principles.