Shaolin Kung Fu
Many of the Shaolin priests were retired soldiers and generals, thus, Ta Mo's teachings were enriched and refined by these martial art masters and it slowly developed in to a martial art of the hands also known as Shaolin Ch'uan [ Shaolin Fist ] or Shaolin Ch'uan Fa [ Way of the Shaolin Fist ].
Shaolin was not a poor temple by this time and was regularly attacked by peasant armies ( since individuals h CE no chance to penetrate Shaolin defences and walls ). Often, to enrich its knowledge, Shaolin would invite wandering healers, scholars and now also martial art masters into its walls to learn from these by sharing knowledge and skills.
Shaolin became very apt at Kung Fu and in repelling the attacking bandits. Slowly but surly the Shaolin became renown for their martial arts prowess and fighting ability. It is to be noted that not all Shaolin Monks were warrior monks, often they chose to specialize in areas of expertise, much like university professors. Although at this time all practiced Kung Fu, not all were totally focused on the practical aspect of the art, only the Warrior Monks. It is also interesting to note that Shaolin preferred not to hurt their assailants as this would have ramifications for their spirituality in this life and the next!
A mere 30 years later, Shaolin was closed and forbidden, it took some 30 more years, around 600 CE, before it was reopened.
The Second Temple
Built around the same time as the Henan Temple, the Fukien Temple was integrated into mainstream Shaolin around 650 CE and became the 'Second Temple" of Shaolin. It was/is a much larger temple than the one in Henan and served as the second main temple in times where Henan was destroyed or occupied by other than Buddhists and Shaolin.
The 13 Champions
In 698 ad, Emperor T'ai Tsung, of the Tang dynasty, called upon the fighting monks of Shaolin to aid him in his war against General Wang-Shih-Chung, who h CE gathered a large army in an attempt to oust the Tang emperor from the Imperial throne. Li Shimini, the Emperors son, was leading the army against Tang. Wang-Shih-Chung managed to capture the Tang Emperors son and inflicted great damage to Tangs army.
Tang sent a message to Shaolin, asking for help to save his son. 13 monks were sent to answer their emperor's plea, although in fact it may have been a much larger force (113 monks or some such). Even though the number of Shaolin monks sent was small ( the enemy's army numbered 10,000 men ) the Shaolin were victorious, the enemy was beaten back and decimated. The Tang Emperors son was saved.
In recognition of their great action T'ai Tsung awarded the monks land, and bestowed upon the temple the title, 'Number One" temple in China.
Li Shimini, succeeded upon his father death. Remembering how he was saved, a very strong bond was forged between the Imperial court and Shaolin. This lead to regular interchange and training between high ranking soldiers and graduate Shaolin Warrior Monks saw further development of Shaolin Kung Fu and the integration of the secret Imperial ( Eagle ) Kung Fu into Shaolin knowledge and skills which set the foundation to what later would become the Shaolin 72 Fists.
Many of the Shaolin priests were retired soldiers and generals, thus, Ta Mo's teachings were enriched and refined by these martial art masters and it slowly developed in to a martial art of the hands also known as Shaolin Ch'uan [ Shaolin Fist ] or Shaolin Ch'uan Fa [ Way of the Shaolin Fist ].
Shaolin was not a poor temple by this time and was regularly attacked by peasant armies ( since individuals h CE no chance to penetrate Shaolin defences and walls ). Often, to enrich its knowledge, Shaolin would invite wandering healers, scholars and now also martial art masters into its walls to learn from these by sharing knowledge and skills.
Shaolin became very apt at Kung Fu and in repelling the attacking bandits. Slowly but surly the Shaolin became renown for their martial arts prowess and fighting ability. It is to be noted that not all Shaolin Monks were warrior monks, often they chose to specialize in areas of expertise, much like university professors. Although at this time all practiced Kung Fu, not all were totally focused on the practical aspect of the art, only the Warrior Monks. It is also interesting to note that Shaolin preferred not to hurt their assailants as this would have ramifications for their spirituality in this life and the next!
A mere 30 years later, Shaolin was closed and forbidden, it took some 30 more years, around 600 CE, before it was reopened.
The Second Temple
Built around the same time as the Henan Temple, the Fukien Temple was integrated into mainstream Shaolin around 650 CE and became the 'Second Temple" of Shaolin. It was/is a much larger temple than the one in Henan and served as the second main temple in times where Henan was destroyed or occupied by other than Buddhists and Shaolin.
The 13 Champions
In 698 ad, Emperor T'ai Tsung, of the Tang dynasty, called upon the fighting monks of Shaolin to aid him in his war against General Wang-Shih-Chung, who h CE gathered a large army in an attempt to oust the Tang emperor from the Imperial throne. Li Shimini, the Emperors son, was leading the army against Tang. Wang-Shih-Chung managed to capture the Tang Emperors son and inflicted great damage to Tangs army.
Tang sent a message to Shaolin, asking for help to save his son. 13 monks were sent to answer their emperor's plea, although in fact it may have been a much larger force (113 monks or some such). Even though the number of Shaolin monks sent was small ( the enemy's army numbered 10,000 men ) the Shaolin were victorious, the enemy was beaten back and decimated. The Tang Emperors son was saved.
In recognition of their great action T'ai Tsung awarded the monks land, and bestowed upon the temple the title, 'Number One" temple in China.
Li Shimini, succeeded upon his father death. Remembering how he was saved, a very strong bond was forged between the Imperial court and Shaolin. This lead to regular interchange and training between high ranking soldiers and graduate Shaolin Warrior Monks saw further development of Shaolin Kung Fu and the integration of the secret Imperial ( Eagle ) Kung Fu into Shaolin knowledge and skills which set the foundation to what later would become the Shaolin 72 Fists.