Our schools are internationally renowned for keeping alive the traditions of the art. The Shaolin heritage of Wing Tsun is essential and no art is possible to deeply understand without the examining its history. As China’s first great historian, Sima Qian (ca. 145-86BC) stated “Those who do not forget the past are the masters of the future”.

 

With the tendency to ‘Westernise’ the art of Wing Tsun now dominating, and vital etiquette, culture and traditions ignored or debased, it is the duty of any serious martial artist to have at least a basic understanding of the background. Sadly, many practitioners of Wing Tsun/ Wing Chun/ Ving Tsun are unaware of the heritage of the art. References to Wing Tsun’s Shaolin history are brief at best and it is not uncommon for students to train many years without any awareness of its Shaolin roots.

Our schools are internationally renowned for keeping alive the traditions of the art. The Shaolin heritage of Wing Tsun is essential and no art is possible to deeply understand without the examining its history. As China’s first great historian, Sima Qian (ca. 145-86BC) stated “Those who do not forget the past are the masters of the future”.

 

With the tendency to ‘Westernise’ the art of Wing Tsun now dominating, and vital etiquette, culture and traditions ignored or debased, it is the duty of any serious martial artist to have at least a basic understanding of the background. Sadly, many practitioners of Wing Tsun/ Wing Chun/ Ving Tsun are unaware of the heritage of the art. References to Wing Tsun’s Shaolin history are brief at best and it is not uncommon for students to train many years without any awareness of its Shaolin roots.

Due to the date, and its tumultuous history of the Shaolin, exact details of the Shaolin history are not always possible. However, records indicate that the first Shaolin temple was the Songshan Shaolin Temple on the sacred Shao Shi Mountain in Henan province, North China in 495AD. Set up by an Indian monk Buddhabhadra (known as Batuo by the Chinese), the name Shaolin can be translated as ‘new forest’.  

 

Legend has it that when Bodhidharma (Tamo in Chinese) arrived in China from India in 527AD he was refused entry to the temple. Therefore he went to a nearby cave and meditated for 9 years until the monks recognized his prowess. When he did finally arrive in the temple he saw how weak the monks were from long meditation and taught them exercises to build their strength and health, based on the movement of 18 animals. These would also help in defence against attacks from bandits, becoming the basis of the different styles of Shaolin Kung fu. Tamo is credited with the development of Zen Buddhism.

 

The Southern Shaolin Temple, where Wing Tsun emanated, was built in 557 AD, only 62 years later than first. In total 5 Shaolin temples were built: Songshan; Fujian; Guangdong; Wutang; and OMei Shan. In ancient times monks from the Shaolin Temples could be identified by the branding on their forearms - a dragon on the left and a tiger in the right.

 

At one time hundreds of styles of Kung Fu existed. However due to repeated political repression most of these have ceased to exist, dying with their masters. There is a generally accepted divided between the Northern and Southern styles: Northern styles tend to emphasise long range techniques, wide stances, fast and powerful kicks and high jumps whilst Southern styles focus more on strong arm and hand techniques, and stable stances and fast footwork.

 

The most well-known Shaolin styles from North are: Northern Preying Mantis, Black Crane and Black Tiger. From the South Temples: Wing Tsun, Southern Preying Mantis, Snake, Dragon, Tiger, Choi Li Fut.

 

Whilst the practices varied at different periods and temples, trainee monks were often accepted before the age of 10 (Interestingly, according to the later traditions of Wing Tsun, as a ‘master’ art, disciples were not to be taught until they were older). Before students were accepted as disciples of a master they spent a large amount of time performing menial tasks. This not only taught them humility but allowed the masters to see whether they were worthy of being accepted as their protégés

 

The Shaolin monks were taught not only to be self-sufficient, able to work the land, cook and have skills with textiles, but were highly educated. As part of the discipline they studied among others history, philosophy, music, painting and calligraphy. These concepts profoundly influenced Wing Tsun, where despite the emphasis on practicality, fighting prowess was seen as a part of obtaining enlightenment rather than an end in itself.

 

The position of the Shaolin throughout its history varied between patronage of the rulers and destruction by the rulers. The Temples were rebuilt numerous times in its history, and indeed, it was out of this destruction in 18^th Century that Wing Tsun was created. The most recent problems that faced the Shaolin Temple were the implication in the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 and the burning down of the Shaolin Temple by Warlord Shi Yousan in 1928. The Cultural Revolution, from 1966-1976 meant that the few remaining monks publicly beaten and jailed. It was not until the film Shaolin Temple in 1982 starring Jet Li that the fame of the Temple was restored.

 

Sadly, due to constant destruction, very little exists today of any of the original temples. The sole remaining genuine historical relics are only small 18^th Century frescos, an old floor of the Songshan Temple and the Pagoda Forest. Substantial investment has been made by both the Chinese government and private individuals, particularly in the 1990’s.  The Temple has become a major tourist attraction, with over 1 million tourists visiting per year.

 

Although nothing remained of the original, in 1992 permission was granted by the Chinese government to rebuilt the Southern Shaolin Temple at Putian, Fujian province.

Due to the date, and its tumultuous history of the Shaolin, exact details of the Shaolin history are not always possible. However, records indicate that the first Shaolin temple was the Songshan Shaolin Temple on the sacred Shao Shi Mountain in Henan province, North China in 495AD. Set up by an Indian monk Buddhabhadra (known as Batuo by the Chinese), the name Shaolin can be translated as ‘new forest’.  

 

Legend has it that when Bodhidharma (Tamo in Chinese) arrived in China from India in 527AD he was refused entry to the temple. Therefore he went to a nearby cave and meditated for 9 years until the monks recognized his prowess. When he did finally arrive in the temple he saw how weak the monks were from long meditation and taught them exercises to build their strength and health, based on the movement of 18 animals. These would also help in defence against attacks from bandits, becoming the basis of the different styles of Shaolin Kung fu. Tamo is credited with the development of Zen Buddhism.

 

The Southern Shaolin Temple, where Wing Tsun emanated, was built in 557 AD, only 62 years later than first. In total 5 Shaolin temples were built: Songshan; Fujian; Guangdong; Wutang; and OMei Shan. In ancient times monks from the Shaolin Temples could be identified by the branding on their forearms - a dragon on the left and a tiger in the right.

 

At one time hundreds of styles of Kung Fu existed. However due to repeated political repression most of these have ceased to exist, dying with their masters. There is a generally accepted divided between the Northern and Southern styles: Northern styles tend to emphasise long range techniques, wide stances, fast and powerful kicks and high jumps whilst Southern styles focus more on strong arm and hand techniques, and stable stances and fast footwork.

 

The most well-known Shaolin styles from North are: Northern Preying Mantis, Black Crane and Black Tiger. From the South Temples: Wing Tsun, Southern Preying Mantis, Snake, Dragon, Tiger, Choi Li Fut.

 

Whilst the practices varied at different periods and temples, trainee monks were often accepted before the age of 10 (Interestingly, according to the later traditions of Wing Tsun, as a ‘master’ art, disciples were not to be taught until they were older). Before students were accepted as disciples of a master they spent a large amount of time performing menial tasks. This not only taught them humility but allowed the masters to see whether they were worthy of being accepted as their protégés

 

The Shaolin monks were taught not only to be self-sufficient, able to work the land, cook and have skills with textiles, but were highly educated. As part of the discipline they studied among others history, philosophy, music, painting and calligraphy. These concepts profoundly influenced Wing Tsun, where despite the emphasis on practicality, fighting prowess was seen as a part of obtaining enlightenment rather than an end in itself.

 

The position of the Shaolin throughout its history varied between patronage of the rulers and destruction by the rulers. The Temples were rebuilt numerous times in its history, and indeed, it was out of this destruction in 18^th Century that Wing Tsun was created. The most recent problems that faced the Shaolin Temple were the implication in the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 and the burning down of the Shaolin Temple by Warlord Shi Yousan in 1928. The Cultural Revolution, from 1966-1976 meant that the few remaining monks publicly beaten and jailed. It was not until the film Shaolin Temple in 1982 starring Jet Li that the fame of the Temple was restored.

 

Sadly, due to constant destruction, very little exists today of any of the original temples. The sole remaining genuine historical relics are only small 18^th Century frescos, an old floor of the Songshan Temple and the Pagoda Forest. Substantial investment has been made by both the Chinese government and private individuals, particularly in the 1990’s.  The Temple has become a major tourist attraction, with over 1 million tourists visiting per year.

 

Although nothing remained of the original, in 1992 permission was granted by the Chinese government to rebuilt the Southern Shaolin Temple at Putian, Fujian province.