Question by Walking on the Empty Road…: Is it true that all kung fu originated from Shaolin?
I heard that it was but it was also a rumor. I’m currently taking Shaolin Kung Fu lessons and I want to learn more about it.
Best answer:
Answer by lastsonofkrypton007
Well, that’s the general consensus.
There is no real written record of the origins of kung fu in China except for the legend of a man called Bodhidharma.
Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk from India who made his way to China to spread the word of the Buddha. He arrived at the Northern Shaolin temple, and was disappoint in the physical abilities of the monks there. They were all rather weak and frail. Bodhidharma was concerned that this weakness wouldn’t allow the monks to full immerse themselves in the practice of Buddhism, so he retreated to a cave where he meditated on the problem for nine years. Emerging from the cave with a set of exercises to help strengthen the monks and increase their chi flow. This is the basis for all Shaolin kung fu.
At this time in history China wasn’t the safest of places and lawlessness ran rampant. The threat of bandit attack on the temples and traveling monks was serious. So being vulnerable to attack, the monks developed a system of self defense based on the original set of exercises handed down by Bodhidharma. Thus, kung fu was born.
Over time, other ‘Shaolin’ temples appeared across the land, and depending upon location, the monks modified the techniques to suite their lifestyle, environment, and abilities. Northern styles tend to use more kicks, and more complicated stances, while in the south where the ground could be unforgiven they favored simple solider stances and punches.
That, in a nut shell, is the origins of Shaolin kung fu.
Hope that helps.
