Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s3.t2.4

v2.c12.s3.t2.4

6^th century, martial monks in Shaolin Temple won their reputation in the circle of martial arts because of praise from Li Shimin (599-649 CE), and there is the saying that “Shaolin Kong fu ranks No.1 in the world.” As a representative of Chinese martial arts, it’s said that Shaolin Kongfu originated from the Indian monk Bodhidharma who came to China, and people indulged in talking about it, although it draws a false analogy. It is true that Bodhidharma propagated Zen, but later generations fabricated the saying that he created *Tendon Transformation Exercise* and *Marrow Purification Exercise*, and made Dharma fist position, swordsmanship and cudgel techniques. The system of Shaolin martial arts is the result of extensive collection by martial monks generation by generation, and the united creation of the national martial artists. Monk Fu Ju (10^th century CE) and Jue Yuan (13^th century CE) once invited famous national martial artists to enrich Shaolin Kongfu successively, so that Shaolin martial arts were improved gradually, and secured the supreme place of martial arts after the 15^th century CE. Shaolin Kong fu is divided into the southern and northern sects and five branches, and it has influences at home and abroad. For example, Japanese Kendo, karate and judo are related to Shaolin Kung fu. Besides Shaolin martial arts, Sichuan Emei Martial Arts Sect is subject to Buddhist martial arts. It’s said that Emei martial arts was founded in the 13^th century. It integrated Buddhist and Daoist body building and health preservation essences, inherited Chinese tradition of martial arts, and was developed through continuous innovation.