Shaolin - a brief history

Ca. 495. Shaolin temple is founded by the Indian monk Batuo on mount song which is now in Henan province china

527. Bodhidarma the 29th patriarch of Buddhism and the 1st patriarch of Chan Buddhism arrives at shaolin temple. He meditates for nine years facing a stone wall. According to legend Bodhidarma creates kung fu in order to promote health amongst the monks.

621. Thirteen shaolin monks assist the first tang emperor, Li Shinmin to defeat rival Wang Shichong, helping to establish the tang dynasty. According to legend the emperor rewarded shaolin by letting them keep cadre of martial monks

1351. Shaolin is attacked by the red turbans; a lone shaolin monk named Jinnaluo defends the temple using a flaming staff

1553. Shaolin monks are sent to the coast to combat Japanese pirates, they use iron staffs to slay hundreds of pirates

1610. The earliest shaolin treatise, exposition of the original shaolin staff method by Cheng Zongyou is published

1666. Shaolin temple goes without an official Abbott for the next three centuries

1722. The end of the reign of the Qing emperor Kangsi. Emperor Kangsi is attributed for original writing the characters for the temple (Shao lin si), which now adorn the temple gates. Some also believe Kangsi ordered the destruction of the southern shaolin temple in Fujian province. The actuality of the existence of this temple is unsure but and yet to be officially verified. However some reconstructed sites have been erected.

1928. Shaolin temple is burned down by warlord Shi Yousan. The temple burned for over forty days destroying 90% of the buildings. Many of Shaolins most precious relics were looted. Its massive library of Buddhism and kung fu was reduced to ash.

1966. The Cultural Revolution. Martial arts are banned and the monks are ordered to disband. 13 monks endure the onslaught of the Red Guard; the rest return to civilian life. Martial arts are still practiced, but underground.

Shaolin Monks in the Pagoda Forest

Drawing of Da Ma. Bodiharma, the Indian Monk credited as the founder chinese martial arts. Shaolin temple guardian. Shaolin monk.