By: Rostik & Andrew SHAOLIN TEMPLE 少林寺 SHÀOLÍNSÌ

 China 中國  Dengfeng, Zhengzhou,Henan 登封 鄭州 河南 LOCATION 地點

 The history of the Shaolin Temple is as much the history of an idea as it is the history of a building and its occupants. It’s an idea which the current abbot, Shi Yong Xin, has recently been trying to reclaim. In 1994 he registered ‘Shaolin’ and ‘Shaolin Temple’ as trademarks and set up a company to manage the intellectual property rights. Indeed in modern days the temple has aggressively defended its copyright and its image. For instance, in August 2007 a representative of the temple demanded an apology from an internet user who claimed that a Japanese ninja had defeated Shaolin monks in unarmed combat. HISTORY 歷史

 In the practice of Shaolin kung fu there is one central idea to enable the students to be successful and that is the need to understand that Ch’an Buddhism is at it’s heart. Other schools of martial arts do not have this spiritual centre. Ch’an Buddhism is the propelling force behind Shaolin kung fu. SHAOLIN KUNG FU 功夫

 The Shaolin Monk lifestyle widely began with the construction of the Shaolin Temple. Although this story is disputed, it is believed by most that a wandering Buddhist mentor from India, Buddhabhadra, came to China. He thought that Buddhist teachings would be better taught through a master-student method, rather than reading Buddhist scripts and texts. In 496 AD, Buddhabadra was given funds by the Northern Wei Emperor of China to build a monastery at holy Mt. Shaoshi. The monastery was called the Shaolin Temple (Shao from Mt. Shaoshi, lin meaning "grove") Thus the beginning of the Shaolin Monks was here. TIMELINE 時間表

 Beginning of Shaolin Temple (496)-Most believe it was started by Buddhabhadra  Tang Dynasty Era ( )-Shaolins and their Temple treated fairly, provided military services for China, Shoalin Monastery Stele erected with martial history engraved on it, only non-confiscated land by Emperor Xuanzong  Late Tang through Ming Dynasty Era ( )-Emperor Wuzong spares Shaolin monastery after purging other Buddhist temples, Red Turbans destroy Shaolin, Shaolin monks become famous for martial arts skills, Shaolin Monk following expands with Monk Sanqi Yougong teaching abroad, accused of eating meat and drinking alcohol  Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasty Era ( )-, Shaolin Staff Method, Li Zicheng sacks Shaolin Temple and most of following is gone, government loses trust in Shaolin monks, betray them, Shaolin Monk standing is weak, Qing Dynasty ushered in by Manchus  Qing Dynasty Era ( )-Shaolin reopens and begins to recover from destruction, Yongzheng Emperor wants to majorly renovate Shaolin Monastery, government is on their side again, many praise the Shaolins but warn them to stop eating meat, drinking alcohol, and hiring prostitutes, Shaolin monks can no longer be deployed for battle  Modern History (1900-)- Shaolin Temple affected by the Boxer Rebellion, Shi Youson burns down Shaolin and few remaining monks jailed, the movieShaolin Shi with Jet Li puts interest back into the Shaolin way, private martial arts schools start to form, tourists start to come and visit Shaolin, most fake temples and schools were closed BEGINNING OF SHAOLIN TEMPLE 少林寺

 Emperor Xiaowen the Shaolin Temple  It was built in 495AD  Situated at the Song Mountain, the Central Sacred Mountain, the temple was frequented by generals and emperors. Until its modern renaissance, the golden age of the monastery has been said to be during the Tang Dynasty ( AD) WHO, WHEN AND WHY SHAOLIN TEMPLE BUILT 誰當為什麼

 The long history includes destructions and reconstructions, with the most devastating one in 1928 by warlord Shi Yousan, when a blaze raged for more than 40 days destroying nearly all the temple’s classics and records. Upon successive renovation, most architectures of Shaolin Temple have been restored or under reconstruction now. SIGNIFICANCE 顯著性

 Situated at the Song Mountain, the Central Sacred Mountain, the temple was frequented by generals and emperors. Until its modern renaissance, the golden age of the monastery has been said to be during the Tang Dynasty ( AD). At the beginning of the seventh century, a tiny army of 13 Shaolin monks were reputed to have saved future Tang Dynasty emperor Li Shimin. When he took power, Li showered favors, land and wealth on the temple, then it thrived as a Kungfu center, with masters from around the country.  It was built in 495AD INTERESTING FACTS 事實

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