Can you tell me anything about the Shaolin monks?

Ever since 1669, when Huang Zongxi first described Chinese martial arts in terms of a Shaolin or "external" school versus a Wudang or "internal" school,[1] "Shaolin" has been used as a synonym for "external" Chinese martial arts regardless of whether or not the particular style in question has any connection to the Shaolin Monastery. In 1784 the Boxing Classic: Essential Boxing Methods[2] made the earliest extant reference to the Shaolin Monastery as Chinese boxing's place of origin.[3]





Since the beginning of the 17th century, the Shaolin Monastery garnered such fame that many martial artists have capitalized on its name by claiming possession of the original, authentic Shaolin teachings.[

Can you tell me anything about the Shaolin monks?
They are a group of very disciplined guys.
Reply:Shao Lin is Buddhist, while Tai Chi Chuan is Taoist, in martial arts. Shao Lin or Xiao Lin means Small Forest. That was the name of a Buddhist temple in Loyang that the Indian holy man Bhodidharma visited. He invented some martial arts based upon animal movements. By now, there are 5 orthodox animal styles (crane, tiger, snake, dragon and leopard) and some unorthodox ones, e.g. monkey and mantis. There are 5 family styles, of which I have studied Choi Li Fut and Hung Gar. There is also an esoteric 5 Venoms: Centipede, Scorpion, Serpent, Spider (Lizard) and Toad. Tell me if you wish to know more. I wrote a book titled "Wu Da Wu Shu" about martial arts, mainly Chinese, that are the basis for Japanese and Korean styles.
Reply:sure, they're monks that practice traditional styles of martial arts such as kung fu and tai chi as a way of keeping in shape for the long hours of meditation required by their religion (buddhism)
Reply:Yes, what would you like to know ???
Reply:Okay, here's my abridged version....


The Boddhidharma takes over a Monastery in China, so he moves from his home in India...


Sees the monks are weak, so he teaches them some exercises based off his military background back in India...


The Monks for many Quan off these ideas, and ways to defeat people without killing them....


One of the chinese governments makes Shaolin illegal, and takes over the Hunan Temple, dispersing the monks...


Most of the monks found a temple in Fukien Province, but some make their way to Okinawa to develop Karate...


The "Boxer Rebellion" happens, and many Monks die, but most are dispersed yet again, developing and furthering martial styles throughout the Orient...


Today, both the Northern (original) and Southern (Fuzhou) Temples are open, and teach vastly different curriculums, but this doesn't matter so much as....


Most Monks practice only a few Quan (like Kata, but a style of martial arts) fit for their desires and body type. (Now there is even a Shaolin temple in America!)
Reply:not really im not that big on China