 Martial arts
Created by: * Lau Ma Feng, 2004-06-30 18:15:30
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Shaolin Wushu is one of the major branches of Chinese Wushu and has numerous varieties and unique characteristics . It is very effective in bodybuilding and in self-defense. It is very popular in China and is rapidly gaining in popularity throughout the world.
Shaolin Monastery is the source of Shaolin Wushu. In 527 A. D. , an Indian monk, Bodhidharma, arrived at Shaolin Monastery. He promoted mediation that included sitting for a long period of time. This made the limbs of the monks grow numb, so Bodhidharma developed a set of exercises that helped a set of exercises that helped the monk to limber up. Over many generations, other monks improved these local county folk. The diligence with which the monks practiced these Wushu movements can be seen from the deep impressions left by their feet in the hard brick floor of the exercise room of the Hall of One Thousand Buddhas.
At the end of the Sui dynasty, Shaolin monks rescued Price Li shimin, who has been captured by a warlord. Later, When Li ascended the Emperor's throne and became emperor Tai Zong, he issued a special decree to allow the Shaolin minks to eat meat and to train monk soldiers. Shaolin Monastery was at the height of its glory. Military training enabled the monks to practice a variety of exercises, breathing techniques and horse riding. They often teach and exchange ideas. This greatly facilitated the further improvement of Shaolin Wushu.
At the end of Ming Dynasty China was in chaos. Many scholars started to learn Wushu in the hope to fight against the Manchus who were to invade central China and found the Qing dynasty. Among them were Huang Songxi and Guo Yanwu, who, not only practiced Wushu but also wrote books about it, which played an important role in promoting Shaolin Wushu.
After the 1911 Revolution which overthrew China's last feudal dynasty, Wushu masters were regarded as hatchet men of officials and wealthy people. Although sometimes they were asked to hold a contest, it was merely a show for fun. Under such circumstances, Shaolin Wushu, like all other schools. could not develop.
In 1928, Warlord Shi Yousan set fire to Shaolin Monastery. It burned for over forty days. The main structures and many valued cultural relics were wiped out. Literature on Shaolin Wushu such as the "Orthodox Shaolin Skills," "Secrets of Shaolin Boxing" and " The Essence of Shaolin Boxing" were lost in the fire.
The ancient structures have been restored in recent years. Specialists have been organized in the national, provincial and county sports commissions to collect materials from monks, Wushu masters and from common people. So far, 166 routines of boxing and weapon combat have been sorted out; written good conditions for the comprehensive development of Shaolin Wushu. Shaolin Wushu has now become a popular event in sports meets in China.
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