Shaolin Internal Kung Fu:
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shaolin Kung Fu?

What benefits can one get from practising Shaolin Kung Fu?

There are many benefits to practicing this amazing art, but they can be generalized into five broad categories:

1. Self-defense
2. Health
3. Vitality
4. Mental Clarity
5. Character & Spiritual development

In what ways can practising Shaolin Kung Fu lead to mind expansion?

Mental clarity was actually the original aim of Bodhidharma (the first Patriarch of Shaolin Kung Fu and Zen) when he first taught the Eighteen Lohan Hands and Sinew Metamorphosis at the Shaolin Monastery. Later, these two sets of exercises developed into Shaolin Kung Fu and Shaolin Chi Kung.

Practising Shaolin Kung Fu can lead to mental clarity because the training of mind and spirit is an integral part of its practice. This is attained through meditation. When you practise genuine Shaolin Kung Fu, you also practise chi kung and meditation.

Is Bodhidharma the founder of Shaolin Kung Fu and Shaolin Chi Kung?

No, but Shaolin disciples and masters gratefully honor Bodhidharma (Da Mo) as our First Patriarch. It was due to his teaching of the Eighteen Lohan Hands and Sinew Metamorphosis that Shaolin Kung Fu and Shaolin Chi Kung originally developed. Before Bodhidharma, there was no kung fu or chi kung training at the Shaolin Monastery. But by the time Bodhidharma arrived in China in 527AD, kung fu and chi kung were already highly developed in China.

There was no founder for Shaolin Kung Fu -- not in the sense that Wang Lang was the founder of Shaolin Praying Mantis Kung Fu or Yim Wing Chun was the founder of Wing Chunn Kung Fu. The rich and extensive repertoire of Shaolin kung fu and chi kung was the collective "invention" of many, many masters throughout the centuries..

Is Shaolin Kung Fu religious?

No, Shaolin Kung Fu is not religious. Throughout history, Shaolin masters have come from various religious backgrounds, including Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity and Islam. There have also been masters who professed no religion.

What advice would you give so that I can get the most from my Shaolin kung fu training?

The following five-step approach is helpful for those who wish to get the most from their training:

1. Have a sound understanding of the scope and depth of Shaolin Kung Fu.
2. Define your aims and objectives for your training.
3. Seek a good master or at least a competent instructor.
4. Practise consistently and conscientiously.
5. Regularly assess your progress, or otherwise, against your set aims and objectives.

How would you define the scope of Shaolin Kung Fu?

For convenience, Shaolin Kung Fu may be divided into four dimensions:

Hence, to get the best benefits you should know at least something about every dimension. If you know only kung fu form, for example, then at best you can derive only a portion of the potential benefits Shaolin Kung Fu can offer.

Can you give an idea of the depth of Shaolin Kung Fu?

It is no exaggeration to say that its depth is unfathomable. We may examine its depth from various angles. One way is to consider each of its four dimensions. Regarding form, all the techniques found in other martial arts like Taijiquan, Karate, Taekwondo, Jujitsu, Judo, Aikido, Western Boxing and Siamese Boxing can be found in Shaolin Kung Fu. Shaolin kung fu force is incredible -- its kung fu application is not just for combat but also to enrich our daily living. Shaolin philosophy opens up vistas of wisdom ranging from the smallest sub-atomic particles to the infinite galaxies.

Another way to examine its depth is from the perspective of personal development. Shaolin Kung Fu offers a comprehensive program to develop a person in all of his or her physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects. At the physical level, Shaolin Kung Fu enables the exponent to have radiant health and vitality; at the spiritual level, it leads him to the greatest attainment anyone can ever achieved, i.e. spiritual fulfilment. For someone used to only a partial knowledge of Shaolin Kung Fu, such as some kung fu patterns and sets, he or she may find it hard to believe its depth as mentioned above. A basic tenet of the Shaolin teaching, which is an echo of the Buddha's teaching, is as follows: do not accept any teaching based on faith alone, nor on the reputation of the master, but assess the teaching to the best of your understanding and experience. The aim of this webpage is to disseminate genuine Shaolin teaching as taught by traditional Shaolin masters.

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