Birth of Shaolin Kung-Fu

The famous martial arts style Kung Fu is widely associated with Chinese culture. Many believe Chinese Buddhist monks created the fighting style as a way to defend and support their culture. Yet, it wasn't the Chinese who created the art form but an Indian monk. Born into royalty, Tat Moh, also known as the Boddhidharma, lived his youth as the prince of Southern India.

However, during his adulthood, he renounced his royal bloodline and devoted his life to Buddhism, living the simplistic lifestyle of a monk. He traveled great lengths, spreading and teaching Buddhism everywhere he went. He eventually ascended to become the 28^th patriarch of India.

In the days before Christ was born, Indian monks would often travel to China where the teachings of Buddhism were eagerly accepted. And in 520 A.D., Tat Moh made his travel from India directly to China and settled into a monastery called Shao-Lin, meaning "little forest." When he arrived, he was surprised and disheartened to see the monks in weak and unstable conditions. These monks were unable to withstand the rigors and harsh ways of Buddhist life, which included long periods of fasting and frugal living.

In order to find a solution, Tat Moh meditated in isolation in a cave near by for several years. He emerged out of the cave after nine long years and devised a set of exercises for the monks. The exercises were intended to regulate, control and strengthen the monk's chi, or internal energy. Tat Moh's exercises mimicked many Indian exercises derived from yoga. They were so successful that Tat Moh's exercises are still used today. These simple exercises form the basis of the Shaolin Arts.