Why Martial Arts at Shaolin?
A SHORT HISTORY OF SHAOLIN MONASTERY IN HONAN PROVINCE
Shaolin Si has been a state/public monastery since ancient times. The emperor designated and determined the number of these official monasteries, and only those with higher qualifications could serve as supervisory members in these establishments. However, in practice, government officials, influential nobles, and families also established monasteries and appropriated privileges intended for official state monasteries.
Buddhism tended to be more orthodox and stable in major centers like Luoyang and those near the imperial capitals. Another significant aspect of monasteries like Shaolin was that they were recognized as official places of worship. These monasteries received their name through Imperial decree, along with land, money, servants, families under their jurisdiction known as sengzhi hu (僧祇戶), and exclusive rights to certain industries that generated profits. At times, these remote monasteries were allocated military families (junhu 軍戶) because of threats from invaders. Throughout the dynastic history, the ratio of large imperial monasteries to other sanctuaries remained relatively steady. In the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), there were only 47 great state monasteries compared to the 30,000-plus that were built by members of the elite and commoners. However, during the growth of Buddhism, this number rose significantly to an estimated five thousand. This expansion resulted in a rise of conversions to Buddhism and an increase in agricultural land.
WHY DID MARTIAL ARTS (WU SHU 武術) DEVELOP AT SHAOLIN MONASTERY?
Historical evidence points to pragmatic reasons for developing martial arts expertise at the monastery. The principal factors were:
1. Buddhist monasteries, particularly the large public ones, contained large granaries and other provisions. These supplies made them attractive targets for robbers and renegade bands of rebels and invaders, who had plagued Henan Province for centuries.
2. Monasteries often held incredible wealth in gold, silver, and copper ritual objects, jewels, and cash reserves.
3. Important state/public monasteries like Shaolin Si were situated in more remote, unprotected areas, making them susceptible to attack.
4. Anti-Buddhist suppressions and lawless conditions during dynastic changes contributed to martial arts development among some Buddhist clergy groups.
5. Chinese Buddhist monasticism was intimately connected with mendicant monks who traveled great distances alone and on foot (See image below of a mendicant monk with his weapons of self-defense - photo c. early 1930s by J. Prip-Moller)
6. A decree by Emperor Tang Taizong provided the 'legal framework' that made the long-term development of martial arts at Shaolin possible.
7. There was continuous interaction between the military and the monks. Military officers and senior clergy in the great state monasteries came from the same well-educated class and were often posted to the same remote regions. At times, monks were required by imperial order to provide military service. It is reasonable to assume that martial arts at Shaolin, under the influence of Chan Buddhist practice, eventually absorbed Buddhist terminology and methods of self-cultivation connected to longevity.
