The ancient Shaolin Monastery - a real icon of the world of martial arts. Buddhist philosophy is widely spread throughout the Western world thanks to modern cinema, beginning and ending with Bruce Lee Kung Fu Panda, east penetrates our hearts with wide screens. However, despite the fact that the Shaolin martial arts are firmly rooted in modern culture, most of us know surprisingly little about this phenomenon.
10. Shaolin Temple was founded by an Indian
Shaolin Monastery seems as an integral part of Chinese culture that many are surprised to learn that its founder was not Chinese. The founder of Shaolin was an itinerant Buddhist monk from India named Batu or Buddhabhadra. He appeared in Imer Northern Wei in 464 AD and preached there for several decades before the Emperor Xiaowen ordered to build for him the Shaolin Monastery on Mount Song (now Henan province). Elder became the first abbot. Unfortunately, there is little historical evidence of the time, but for those of them that were in the hands of historians, it was concluded that the monastery at that time was the center of the translation of Buddhist texts into Chinese. Led by Batu, Buddhist monks followed the charter school Hinayana, but because even the monks were quite difficult to follow this path, the monastery has long remained relatively small. Only with the arrival of Bodhidharma, another Buddhist monk monastery refused Hinayana path and replaced it with Zen Buddhism, Shaolin monks who followed to this day.
9. It's not only the Order of warrior monks
Contrary to popular opinion, not only the Order of Shaolin warrior monks. Moreover, it is not even the first of the account monastery, where monks are trained in martial. Over a century before was founded Shaolin, many Chinese monasteries already have their stocks of weapons and practiced martial arts. Himself Shaolin was built as a civilian training center. According to legend, only with the arrival of Bodhidharma in the 5-6 centuries AD, Shaolin monks began practicing martial arts. The first real record, indicating the practice of martial arts in Shaolin, date from the 14th century. In fact, the world had no shortage of religious orders who practice martial arts training. In India, for example, the Naga Sadhus was one of the most well-armed and militant sects in the country. Shiva devotees warriors Sadhu familiar to modern tourists as Hindu saints in loincloths with matted hair, but in the Mughal era, they were among the most dangerous fighters Asia, armed strikes fear sharpened iron tongs. Korean Buddhist monks of the monastery Bul Kyo Mu Sool also studied martial arts, and even calling one time to defend the country in times of emergency. In Japan, the warrior monks Shohei once controlled large territories, believing in the way of salvation through the holy war. Even in Tibet, there were several fraternities warrior monks led by the Dalai Lama.
8. Kung Fu went to Shaolin
In China, you can often hear that all the martial arts went from Shaolin, but actually it is not. Several centuries after the founding of the monastery, it was a peaceful community, without the slightest sign of studying martial arts. Monks really participated in the battles that helped bring to power the Tang Dynasty (618-907 years BC), but this does not prove that they have developed special methods of warfare. Historians believe that during the fighting monks simply use weapons provided for by the Tang Dynasty, and were no more proficient in martial arts than regular soldiers. At that time, as the very first mention of martial arts practiced in the Shaolin temple, dated to the 14th century, other orders of monks began zealously to study martial arts and fighting with sticks already in the 12th century. The emergence of the first mentions of melee in Shaolin dates back to the 16th century, the time history of kung fu began long before this time, not to mention the fact that the first mention of this art goes back to the days when the Shaolin Monastery has not even been established . Entries Chunqiu that have been made about 800-500 years BC, refer to the "hard" and "soft" techniques of unarmed combat - these two techniques form the basis of modern kung fu. During Dynasty Moon (1368-1644 AD), when the Shaolin only became associated with the perfect martial arts, kung fu was already known throughout China.
7. Shaolin helped royal dynasty come to power
Start becoming power Shaolin took root in the late Sui Dynasty (581-618 AD). Sui Dynasty united China, but a series of popular uprisings and subsequent murder of the emperor led to their speedy overthrow. After these unfortunate events several noble houses began to compete for control over the unraveling empire. One of the contenders for the throne was Shichong Wang, a former general under the Sui dynasty, who had already captured the province of Zheng. To consolidate his power over the ancient capital of Luoyang, Wang Shichong pitched signal tower and oaspolozhil military camp on Mount Huanyuan - plot of land that was donated to the Shaolin Monastery by Emperor Wen of Sui dynasty. Fearing that the monks will rebel, he sent an army to the walls of the monastery, and ordered to besiege it. To provide adequate resistance, monks pledged allegiance to his opponent - Li Yuan, who, after all, and became the founder of the Tang Dynasty. Li Yuan sent his son Li Shimin to help the monks. With the help of the monks was able to beat Li Shimin Wang Shichonga army, freed Luoyang and forced to surrender to the invader. After this victory, the Tang Dynasty took the ruling position in China, which hold up to 907 years. The role played by the monks of Shaolin in this war, to ensure their long years of honor and respect.
6. The mythical origin of tea
Favorite drink all of China is surrounded by many myths and legends related to its occurrence. One of the myths about tea dates back to the days of the Tang Dynasty. It's pretty creepy story about the incredible religious devotion and several severed body parts. According to legend, after a century after the founding of the Shaolin Temple, a devout monk named Bodhidharma took a long and dangerous journey from his native India to China, hoping to spread his teachings. Going through the whole of China, he finally got to the Shaolin Temple, and decided to stay to rest in a cave not far from it. Nine years he meditated in this cave, his back against the cold stone wall, without food and water, sitting with eyes wide open. After some time he decided to repeat this feat, but this time fell asleep in the midst of meditation. Rebelled their indiscipline, as punishment, he cut off his eyelids to never succumb to the temptation of a sweet sleep. To his surprise, the place where his eyelids fell, rose plant, the leaves of which have properties that help to stay awake and not fall asleep. Thus was born the tea bush. It is believed that this is why so dry tea leaves resemble withered eyelids.
5. Shaolin werewolf
According to legend, during the second half of the 19th century was a man named Tai Jin, who was nicknamed Shaolin werewolf. Jean suffered hypertrichosis and was known to the whole neighborhood because of its hairy body, but not only that gave him such fame - he was the best fighter in all of China. Shaolin obroten superstitious Chinese born in a family where he was considered a demon. Believing that he will bring misfortune on the family, the boy was wrapped in swaddling clothes, and left to die in the near forest. Fortunately, while passing by the Shaolin monks had heard the cries of the boy and took pity on him, taking with him to the Shaolin Temple, located in Fujian Province. The monks were trying to find a family ready to adopt Tai Jin, but no one wanted to take the child covered with hair. In the end, nothing is left to the monks as a boy to grow up themselves. In the temple, the boy studied martial arts monks, and unlike others, devoting all his life to only one type of martial arts, the boy decided to learn them all. They say that the boy has spent over 200 receptions "empty hand" and could be used in combat over hundreds of weapons. Moreover, he has learned the infamous reception Dim Mak called "deadly touch." In addition, many people believe that Tai Jin possesses superhuman senses. Widely known story, tells the following: when Jin went to the meeting with 12 masters of Shaolin, instead of a greeting, a boy threw a knife into the roof. To the surprise and shock of everyone present, from the top down was hiding on the roof of a killer. Dagger sticking out of his chest. When Gina asked how he knew that there was a killer, the boy replied that when he entered the room, he heard the breathing of 13 people, not 12. Unfortunately, there remained no official evidence that Tai Jin was associated with Shaolin and that it even existed. In any case, the legend continues to inspire martial artists to this day.
4. Deity of Shaolin
Godlike creature that Shaolin monks especially respected and revered as the patron saint and, most often referred to by the name of the Bodhisattva Vajrapani. Like Christian saints, Vajrapani is surrounded by many strange legends. One of the strangest stories associated with Vajrapani tells how she saved a young monk from bullies. A long time ago, shortly after the founding of Shaolin, lived near him a monk named Shenchen which constantly suffered because of bullying by his fellow monks. Tired of this, he began to ask for divine assistance that would stop his suffering. For this, he went to the temple, where there was a statue of Vajrapani, and began to pray to her. He prayed for six days and six nights without food, which could satisfy his hunger, and no water that could quench his thirst. On the sixth night of the virgin appeared to him. Thunderous voice she the all monk if he was ready to become stronger. When Shenchen eagerly nodded, Vajrapani offered him a huge bowl filled with steaming meat, and ordered him to eat. Shenchen horrified as monasticism implied waiver of any meat. Irritated reaction monk Vajrapani took his knife and threatened them with forced monks to open his mouth and shoved it into the meat. Shenchen tried to spit out the meat, but Vajrapani threatened him with beatings if he did not begin to cooperate. Coming from the very thought of it terrified Shenchen finally swallowed the meat. Upon returning to the monastery, Shenchen walked to bully his monks. To everyone's surprise, he showed impressive strength and physical skills, easily defeating all. His new abilities were so surprising that, tell, he was able to run on the walls, jump to a height of several floors and easily lift huge objects. Needless to add, that from this day bullying stopped, and all thanks to Vajrapani and a huge bowl of meat.
3. Shaolin against Japanese pirates
2. Jieba
Fans of movies about kung fu with Shaolin monks may have noticed that those often depicted with nine round dots on the forehead (three points in a row). This figure is known as Jieba - Rite labels put on the monk his mentor, and means that the monk finished his studies. This label has a great importance in the world of Shaolin. Each point is one of the fundamental rules of conduct to be followed by each monk. Unfortunately, up until recently, this label was banned. The process of labeling a whole ceremony, which includes the entire month of intensive meditation and physical training. In the climax to the head monk attached nine sticks of incense, which are then set on fire and expect until they burn the skin around them. In 2007, the Chinese Government has partially lifted the ban on holding the ceremony, allowing the monks to revive the ancient tradition. Only a hundred monks was recognized physically and mentally prepared to move this process, and only 43 of them managed to get through it. Today in the world there is only one resident of the West, has received the label - a Franco Testino, also known as Shi Yan Fang. This monk of Italian origin, who currently runs a small church in California.
1. Star Wars and Shaolin
In the words of George Lucas, Shaolin monks were the key figures, inspired him to create characters of the Jedi Knights. All films from the series Star Wars entirely owe their existence to the present Shaolin monks. Overarching concept of "power" which is in every living being, is comparable to the concept of "Chi" in Shaolin. The legendary Shaolin monks drew his superhuman strength in the control and manipulation of Chi, as well as the Jedi drew power in the Force. Used Jedi fighting style lightsaber is very similar to acrobatic tricks used by the monks in the fights with the use of double-edged swords and staves. Even the Jedi faith in the semi-pacifism (using force only when there is an urgent need), and abstinence from worldly goods and pleasures mirrors the basic ideas of Buddhism. In addition, it is impossible not to notice a strong similarity between prehistory and history of the Jedi Order establishment of the Shaolin Monastery, and the power struggle between the Jedi Order and Emperor Palpatine reminds Shaolin monks conflict with the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. In the movie "Revenge of the Sith", Palpatine tells Anakin Skywalker attack the Jedi Temple and kill all the children that are taught there. Shaolin experienced a similar fate when the Qing emperor ordered the destruction of the temple and cut all its inhabitants, including children.