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Shaolin Temple Courtyard

Chan (Zen) Buddism

The emphasis of combining the study of peak human potential with Chinese cultural understanding and deep Chan (Zen) wisdom represent the first performance of the  Buddhist faith within Shaolin Kung Fu.  This includes the belief in the wisdom of the power of faith.  Bodhidharma, or Da Mo,  an Indian monk who is considered the first Shaolin Kung Fu master, gave the monks of the Shaolin Temple the conviction or faith to believe in their ability to develop the divine spirit within themselves.

Within Chan Buddhism , desire for the extraordinary divine power, for the pursuit of extraordinary wisdom, has always been a goal to pursue.  This stubborn desire manifests itself in the performance of Shaolin Kung Fu, in its extraordinary physical prowess and seemingly miraculous qi gong demonstrations and feats.

Shaolin Kung Fu is the soul of the Temple's Buddhist belief in the wisdom of  Chan. Meditation is a central discipline in Chan Buddhism as handed down by the Buddha himself.  Belief in the wisdom of Shaolin Kung Fu (physical exercises and Qi Gong) is the  Temple's first form of meditation. This was taught to the first disciples accepted by Bodhidharma or Da Mo. Chan Buddhist culture came to China from India, and Chinese metaphysics mixed in with the Indian beliefs to develop our current understanding of the results of the two ancient civilizations.

The emergence of the Chan sect within the Buddhist community is an affirmation of our ability to transform the sorrow of human suffering and death into the  joy inherent in human life.  Within Chinese history, the Chan sect helped bring together the high ethical and moral development of the senior monks with the ruling scholars, warriors and elite of Chinese society.  It exposed these ruling scholars, warriors and elite to the mysteries of the universe and of life itself and to the essence of the experience and insights of the practicing monks.

The successes of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties are sometimes attributed to the prevalence of Chan Buddhism and Shaolin teachings and the uniting of meditation and martial techniques.  This way of thinking entered the mainstream and it was thought the marrying of the two was the highest ideal of living life.  It was thought that applying this kind of cultivation, concentration and practice to everyday life with the goal of becoming a Shaolin Buddhist monk was living life to its highest ideal.

It was believed that the Shaolin Kung Fu practice, that this form of Buddhism, would develop Chan Yun-Xin Wu, a quality life with a fearless heart, that showed the spirit of great wisdom and courage, which in turn would enrich Chan Shaolin Kung Fu more.  The practitioner was believed to develop an easy, comfortable and relaxed demeanor in which to exist in the world.

More On Chan (Zen)

One legend talks about Sakyamuni Buddha presiding over the Lingshan Assembly where thousands of people were assembled to hear him teach.  The Buddha sat in silence and did not say a word.  His closest disciples sat in a ring around him.  The Buddha opened his palm to reveal in his hand a lotus flower.  He held the lotus flower silently before them, showing it to each of them individually, not saying anything.   When the Buddha's disciple Mahakasyapa viewed the lotus flower, he looked in silence and then suddenly smiled.  Mahakasyapa understood.  The Buddha publicy announced, "My disciple Mahakasyapa has the correct eye of  understanding, he now holds Nirvana in his heart." From that day forward, Mahakasyapa was the disciple appointed to carry forward with the Buddha's dharma.  

Mahakasyapa understood that there is no educational text or other instructional tools that can give one a true understanding of Chan (Zen).  This was the real beginning of Chan and of the 1^st Chan generation.  That moment was generated using Chan-force or "insight" as the way to understand the dharma.  Chan Buddhism is the way of the heart.

Inherent in Chan is a great respect for life. It cultivates a kind and soft-hearted realization of life and is practiced with an emphasis on virtue while still maintaining lightheartedness and happiness.

Chan is a constantly blooming flower taking root in our human world.  It brings together the light of illumination with our human life.  It is wisdom and knowledge mixed with sincere benevolence. It is a way of surpassing written scripture, chants and sutras.