Kung Fu can therefore be a path in the attainment of realisation. To summarize, Shaolin Kung Fu is a complex physical form, which is based in ChвЂ™an philosophy. For example, Daoism and its understanding of yin and yang is the fundamental philosophy of Tai Chi. For example, the Shaolin Monks practice martial arts for self-defence purposes only.ДЄdditionally, Shaolin, as well as other forms of Kung Fu contain wisdom from other cultural, religious and philosophical traditions in China. ChвЂ™an symbols are incorporated in to the Kung Fu forms as well as the inclusion of ChвЂ™an precepts in the ethics of Kung Fu. Kung Fu is therefore a form of physical meditation, or ChвЂ™an. This idea complements the practice of Kung Fu because it continuously cultivates the physical body, mind, spirit and emotions. Bodhidharma is a highly regarded figure, symbolising wisdom and strength.Д¬hвЂ™an places stress on awareness and cultivation of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development in order to achieve realisation or enlightenment. He introduced the ChвЂ™an tradition to the Shaolin Temple in the 6th century and from that time the temple has been regarded as the origin of ChвЂ™an Buddhism in China. The Shaolin Temple is now too commercial and they no longer teach authentic Shaolin kung fu.The first Patriarch of ChвЂ™an Buddhism was the Indian monk Bodhidharma. There are many Kung Fu styles in the South that attribute their origins to a Southern Shaolin temple.Д¤. The Five elders remain legends describe through oral histories. The exact location of Southern Shaolin temple has never be identified. Is there really a Southern Shaolin temple?ДЄns. Shaolin tradition incorporated martial arts training with their Buddhist practice as a way to master them-selves not as a means of combat.ДЈ. The term wushu meaning martial arts goes back as far as the Liang Dynasty (502-557) Traditional Chinese schools of martial arts, such as the famed Southern Shaolin monastery, often dealt with the study of martial arts not just as a means of self-defense or mental training, but as a system of ethics. Martial art techniques were introduced by layman through their interactions of the monastery. As a result, their martial arts became better. According to legend, Bodhidharma contributed the idea of Internal training to strengthen the body of the monks and later, those Internal training was incorporated into martial arts training. Wushu was ditional name Wushu (martial techniques) was renamed Zhong introduced at both the high school and university level. How can Monks fight and use martial arts? Will it be against the tenets of Buddhism?ДЄns. Therefore, Chinese martial arts are a unique product of Chinese culture.Дў. There are many others with longer histories.

Shaolin is just one type of Chinese martial art. Bodhidharma is the legendary founder of Shaolin Martial Arts. Is Bodhidharma the founder of Chinese martial arts? If so, does that mean that Chinese martial arts have a foreign origin?ДЄns.

The following represents our views on some of the more controversial subjects.ДЎ. We feel that it is more important to understand the implications of those legends rather then argue on the unnecessary and unverifiable details. The approach advocated by the Ottawa Chinese Martial Arts Association is to recognize that the popular legend represents a cultural information and not necessary a historical truth. The legend of Bodhidharma and Shaolin kungfu is accepted on faith by the general public and this has lead to some confusion and many controversies.

Shaolin wushu techniques