How hard is to train and become a Shaolin monk ?

You can walk into a monastery today and if the Abbot believes you are genuine, you can start right away. You will just have to give away all your possessions, never get married, and sign away your inheritance to the monastery. You will become the property of that monastery. They might practice Kung Fu everyday when you wake up before dawn, but the rest of your day will be spent working for your rice and sleeping mat, no pay.





Sound like fun?





You do not train to become any kind of monk. The only requirement would be that you are a Buddhist.

How hard is to train and become a Shaolin monk ?
Very.
Reply:We would not even be able to comprehend the things the Shaolin Monks go through right from birth. Let's just say that most of what you are put through, even as a young child, would be illegal here.





Oh, by the way, I don't know if you mean you are considering becoming one, but if you are, the fact that you are old enough to read means it is far too late.
Reply:as in the stage performers or as in a real monk?





the stage performers are skilled acrobats.





to become the "fantasy" monk it is very easy, just pretend you actually knwo how to fight and study some katas/forms. its the same thing but w/o the religious bunk.
Reply:That depends. Some do train from a young age and train more of the old way. Those would be the ones not at Shaolin or near there for the most part. The current Shaolin is run by the government and has very nice Wushu and some unique strength training. If you have a background in Wushu, gymnastics, or some other flexible style, with the money needed you can train at a variety of locations. I believe there is one in New York that is under controversy. There are several training areas in China as well.


What do you want to learn, that would be the question


I would go into the history but 1) Some folks refuse to believe it 2) there are many counter stories, 3) people have made a temple that was destroyed at least 3 times mystical and confuse what facts we have


Best of luck.
Reply:Being that you are asking in English, and able to read and write it is already too late.





ACTUAL monks start at the Shaolin temple at 3 to 4 years of age, work their way up through a series of rankings through the church until they are 17 or so and are then given the choice if they wish to pursue monkship or not. (Btw, specifically it is the Shaolin Monastery which is located in the Henan Province of China in which one becomes a "Shaolin Monk") However that monastery has been established now by the Government and not the Shaolin order, so it is more of a tourist thing now than what it was previously.





Being a Monk isn't about the whole Kung Fu thing, it is about devoting your life towards Buddhism. In this case, specifically Chan Buddhism. The acrobatic wushu type of stuff you see is a product of hard training meant to instill oneness with yourself, and not really as a means to being an asskicker, it is a form of study, as one can be a Martial Monk, a Clerical Monk, a Scholarly monk etc.





Being an actual Shaolin Monk is dedicating your life like any other Monkhood. Meaning your life is your religion and you live in a monastary, remaining celibate, etc.





Of course there is a monk who defected and came to the US and set up a school in New York, in return the Chinese Gov. has done the same.





Keep in mind that these are now products of commercialism and not true Monkery.





It is meant as a means and way of making money, it adheres to some of the traditions but is not truly a monastery, or a fraction of what it used to actually be.





Well that is my little speech, someone else will come on and tell you how they train in "Real Shaolin Kung Fu" or Wushu.





The REAL Monks trained from the Age of 3, and trained for their whole lives, not for combat but for perfection of self. Their methods are no more effective in combat then 80 percent of other commercial garbage. It's purpose was not for Combat but for self development.





What is being touted as Shaolin Kung Fu now is really just some commercialized bastardization, furthermore the actual authentic stuff is still not really meant for fighting.





But someone will come on here and give you the location of some place or talk about something because they have a vested interest in it, they have fallen for the lie and believe what has been sold to them and will defend it as strongly as their political beliefs or religion.





Just my two cents...
Reply:I heard they do some crazy stuff! It's intense training! But I think that there full of it know! They know there stuff but They'll never be fighters! They'll good and have moras about fighting! I've Heard that Shaolin Had this one guy Who was Faster then Bruce Lee! But rejected to fight unless for self defense! Some could Stand up side down with one Finger! That could be possible!
Reply:uhmm.. real Shaolin monks are Buddhist priest.





Part of the spiritual path in Buddhism involves the following moral rules or 'precepts'. These are the basic moral guidelines that laid down by the Buddha. For the monk, in addition to 227 or so monastic rules, there are ten precepts. For the lay person, however, there are only five, though on certain days, these may be increased to eight or ten. The five precepts are:





1. I undertake to abstain from harming living beings, which includes not eating meat.


2. I undertake to abstain from taking what is not given


3. I undertake to abstain from sexual misconduct, mean you must be celibate.


4. I undertake to abstain from false speech


5. I undertake to abstain from intoxicating drugs or drink


6. I take up the way of not discussing faults of others.


7. I take up the way of not praising myself while abusing others.


8. I take up the way of not sparing the Dharma assets.


9. I take up the way of not indulging in anger.


l0. I take up the way of not slandering the Three Treasures


_____________





Learning to fight is only secondary to the teachings of Buddha to become a true Shaolin Monk. If you enter the Temple in Henan Province... there is no garantee the Abbot will even allow you to learn how to fight. You must first prove you are willing to follow the life and teachings of a Buddhist Monk.
Reply:You couldn't handle it, let's just say that. it's a lifetime of commitment, not just showing up at the studio or a gym for a few hours a day.
Reply:To become a true monk?





It is a lifetime vocation I would think, requiring that you travel to China and spend years or spritutal, mind, body, and phisosophical study.





Are you asking because you are seriously interested in becoming a monk, or are you just intersted for giggles? If you are truly interested I'm sure there is information on the web as to how to go about being accepted into the temple.








Ken C


9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do


8th Dan TaeKwon-Do


7th Dan YongChul-Do