Shaolin Sect is a Shaolin school. It was founded during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma,[1] who wanted his followers to practice martial arts for improving health, and self-defense, as well as upholding justice and helping the weak. Shaolin members are expected to follow a Buddhist code of conduct in addition to having a good mastery of martial arts. Bodhidharma was supposed to be a monk prince from Southern India who was adept in the Indian martial art of "Kalaripayattu" and is considered the mother of all martial arts.
The school is led by the abbot (方丈; fāngzhàng) of the monastery. Shaolin members are ranked by generation. Each member of a certain generation has a prefix before his Buddhist name to indicate his position in the hierarchy. In Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, the most senior generation is the Xuán (玄) generation. The abbot is Xuanci and the senior monks such as Xuanji, Xuannan, Xuandu, and Xuanku also have a Xuán prefix in their names. One of the novel's three protagonists, Xuzhu, is from the Xū (虛) generation, which is two generations after the Xuán generation.[2]
In The Legend of the Condor Heroes, the Xianxia School (仙霞派) is a branch of Shaolin. Its base is at Yunxi Monastery (雲棲寺) in southern China. Its members include Reverend Jiaomu, Reverend Kumu, and Kumu's apprentice, Lu Guanying.
The following is a list of generation ranks in different eras:[2][1][3]
The school is subdivided into several groups, which take charge of different parts of the monastery or different aspects of the school's daily activities. They include:
Bhaishajyaraja Hall (藥王院), the hospital wing where the sick and injured are attended to.
Śarīra Hall (舍利院), the crematorium for cremating deceased members.
Guest Hall (知客院), the reception grounds for guests.
Library (藏經閣), the place where Buddhist scriptures and martial arts manuals are kept.
Martial arts
The Shaolin School is hailed as the origin of all Chinese martial arts and as a leading orthodox school in the wulin (武林; martial artists' community). In Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, it is said to house 72 powerful forms of martial arts and no one has managed to master all of them since the founding of the school. These martial arts have Buddhist names, such as "Bodhidharma's Palm" and "Arhat's Fist".[2]
It is also home to the Yijin Jing (易筋經), a manual instructing the user how to master a certain technique that improves the user's prowess in all types of martial arts. It has also powerful healing properties if the user manages to master the skill. In Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, You Tanzhi acquires the manual by chance and uses its skills to purge poison in his body after he is bitten by venomous creatures. The sutra also increases his inner energy and stamina, allowing him to deliver an ordinary palm stroke with force several times the original impact.[2] In The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, Linghu Chong uses the skills in the manual to heal his internal wounds.[4]
Note: Although the skills listed here are entirely fictional, some are based on or named after actual martial arts.
Discontinued use of the name "Shaolin" in television series
The term "Shaolin School" was not used in two television series adapted from Jin Yong's wuxia novels. In The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, a 2009 TV series adaptation of the novel of the same title, the Shaolin School is referred to as the Monks' School (僧人派). In Swordsman, a 2013 TV series adaptation of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, Shaolin Monastery is referred to as Lingjiu Monastery (靈鷲寺; 'Divine Eagle Monastery').
Although some viewers have expressed dissatisfaction over the changes, the reasons behind the renaming are not made clear to the public. Some people believe that the producers wanted to avoid trademark infringement, since Shaolin Monastery has officially registered "Shaolin" as a trademark and has been involved in lawsuits with commercial companies over the use of "Shaolin" as a brand name or trademark.[5]
Bodhidharma was a semi-legendary Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th or 6th century CE. He is traditionally credited as the transmitter of Chan Buddhism to China, and is regarded as its first Chinese patriarch. According to a 17th-century apocryphal story found in a manual called Yijin Jing, he began the physical training of the monks of Shaolin Monastery that led to the creation of Shaolin kungfu. He is known as Dámó in China and as Daruma in Japan. His name means "dharma of awakening (bodhi)" in Sanskrit.
Shaolin Monastery, also known as Shaolin Temple, is a monastic institution recognized as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin kung fu. It is located at the foot of Wuru Peak of the Songshan mountain range in Dengfeng County, Henan province, China. The name reflects its location in the ancient grove of Mount Shaoshi, in the hinterland of the Songshan mountains. Mount Song occupied a prominent position among Chinese sacred mountains as early as the 1st century BC, when it was proclaimed one of the Five Holy Peaks. It is located some 48 km (30 mi) southeast of Luoyang, the former capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534), and 72 km (45 mi) southwest of Zhengzhou, the modern capital of Henan Province.
Shaolin kung fu, also called Shaolin Wushu, or Shaolin quan, is the largest and most famous style of kung fu. It combines Zen philosophy and martial arts. It was developed in the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China during its 1500-year history. In Chinese folklore there is a saying, "Shaolin kung fu is the best under heaven," which indicates its superiority among martial arts, and "All martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin," which indicates its influence on other martial arts. The name Shaolin is also used as a brand for the so-called external styles of kung fu. Many styles in southern and northern China use the name Shaolin.
Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong. It was first serialised concurrently from 3 September 1963 to 27 May 1966 in the newspapers Ming Pao in Hong Kong and Nanyang Siang Pau in Singapore. It has been adapted into films and television series in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China numerous times since the 1970s. Set in 11th-century China, the plot is made up of separate yet intertwining storylines revolving around three protagonists – Qiao Feng, Duan Yu and Xuzhu – and other characters from various empires and martial arts sects. The novel examines the cause and effect that form and break the inherent bonds underlying each major character's struggles on five uniquely corresponding levels: self, family, society, ethnic group, and country (dominion).
The Jiuyang Zhenjing, also known as the Nine Yang Manual, is a fictional martial arts manual in Jin Yong's Condor Trilogy. It was first introduced briefly at the end of the second novel The Return of the Condor Heroes. It plays a significant role in the third novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber after Zhang Wuji discovers it and masters the skills in the book.
The Beggars' Gang is a fictional martial arts organisation featured prominently in works of wuxia fiction by writers such as Jin Yong, Gu Long and Wolong Sheng. The gang has also found its way into martial arts films such as King of Beggars and video games such as Age of Wushu. The gang's members are mostly beggars as its name suggests, but some of them are from other walks of life. They are noticeable in public for their dress code and behaviour. The members adhere to a strict code of conduct and maintain the utmost respect for rank and hierarchy. They uphold justice and help those in need through acts of chivalry. The Beggars' Gang is also one of the supporting pillars in the defence of Han Chinese society from foreign invaders. The gang has a wide network of communications and the members are reputed for their excellent information gathering skills. This is due to the gang's large size and the nature of its members, which allows them to easily blend into different segments of society.
The Yijin Jing is a manual containing a series of exercises, coordinated with breathing, intended to dramatically enhance physical health when practiced consistently. In Chinese, yi means "change", jin means "tendons and sinews", while jing translates to "methods".
Shi Yongxin is the current abbot of the Shaolin Temple. He is the thirteenth successor after Shi Xingzheng. He is the Chairman of the Henan Province Buddhists Association, a representative of the Ninth National People's Congress and also one of the first Chinese monks ever to get an MBA degree.
The origins of Asian martial arts are diverse and scattered, having roots in various regions of Asia. Various Asian martial arts reference the study of animal movements as inspiration for martial arts techniques.
Shaolin Prince a.k.a. Death Mask of the Ninja, Shaolin Death Mask, or Iron Fingers of Death, is a 1982 Hong Kong martial arts-action film released by Shaw Brothers and directed by Tang Chia. It is one of the Shaolin Temple themed martial arts films and featured Ti Lung, Derek Yee and Jason Pai Piao.
Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils is a 1982 Hong Kong's TVB television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. The 50-episode-long series is divided into two parts, with their Chinese titles as 天龍八部之六脈神劍 for 30 episodes and 天龍八部之虛竹傳奇 for 20 episodes respectively.
The Wudang School, sometimes also referred to as the Wu-Tang Clan, is a fictional martial arts school mentioned in several works of Chinese wuxia fiction. It is commonly featured as one of the leading orthodox schools in the wulin. It is named after the place it is based, the Wudang Mountains.
The Mount Heaven School, also known as the Tianshan School, is a fictional martial arts school mentioned in works of wuxia fiction, most notably Liang Yusheng's Qijian Xia Tianshan. It also appears in Jin Yong's Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils as a minor school that plays an important role in the story line of one of the three protagonists, Xuzhu. The school is named after the place where it is based, the Tian Shan mountain range in western China.
Ng Mui (Chinese: t 伍枚, p Wú Méi; Cantonese: Ng5 Mui4) is said to have been one of the legendary Five Elders—survivors of the destruction of the Shaolin Temple by the Qing Dynasty.
Master of Zen also known as Bodhidharma is a 1994 Hong Kong film based on the legends surrounding the life of Bodhidharma. The film was directed, produced, and co-written by Brandy Yuen, and starred Derek Yee and Louis Fan in the leading roles.
Wang Bo is a martial artist, Zen Buddhist monk, Shaolin Kung Fu master, and Shifu of the Shaolin Temple Torrance, located in Torrance, CA, a main branch of the original Shaolin Temple of China. He is the founder of Hungrymonk Yoga.
Shi Yanxu is the director of Shaolin Temple Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Yanxu started his monastic life in childhood with extensive Chan meditation and Shaolin Kung Fu training under Abbot Shi Yongxin at China’s Songshan Shaolin Temple. He was appointed the head instructor of Shaolin martial monks in 2004-2005 and has been the personal aid of the Abbot before he came to the United States. Shi Yanxu is a master of the Shaolin Arts---an integrated system of Chan Buddhism, Martial Arts and Medicine. He has gained insights to the scriptures and human nature through meditation guided by accomplished Chan masters. He specializes in various forms of Shaolin Martial Arts as well as the holistic exercise system which is designed to enhance people's physical health. The holistic exercise system follows Yijin Jing and Xi Sui Jing, which were left behind by Bodhidharma at Songshan Shaolin Temple during 5th/6th century. Since 2007, Yanxu has taught hundreds of students with difference age, race, religion and cultural background. He has organized various events to promote Shaolin culture in the U.S., such as the Shaolin Temple Day Celebration. Also, Yanxu actively involved with the local community and his efforts were acknowledged by the City of Arcadia, City of Walnut, Los Angeles Country Sheriff's Department and Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles County, etc.
Drunken boxing also known as Drunken Fist, is a general name for various styles of Chinese martial arts that imitate the movements of a drunk person. It is an ancient style and its origins are mainly traced back to the Buddhist and Daoist religious communities. The Buddhist style is related to the Shaolin temple while the Daoist style is based on the Daoist tale of the drunken Eight Immortals. Zui quan has the most unusual body movements among all styles of Chinese martial arts. Hitting, grappling, locking, dodging, feinting, ground and aerial fighting and all other sophisticated methods of combat are incorporated.
Sakra is a 2023 martial arts wuxia film starring and directed by Donnie Yen in his first film as director since 2004, who also produced the film with Wong Jing. It is adapted from the wuxia novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils written by Jin Yong. The film co-stars Chen Yuqi, and Cya Liu, and it was released in OTT platforms in China at 2023 Chinese New Year where it was the top Chinese New Year release across the three biggest streaming platform IQiyi, Tencent and Youku, streaming revenues exceeded the film's budget within 10 days of release. It was also released in theatres in Malaysia and Singapore on 16 January 2023 where it ranked as one of the top Chinese film in terms of box office in 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
