This ain't Shaolin

**Fantasy Warrior** · Posted On: 4/28/2006 10:41am

Asia, I agree that sounds plausible. Another concept sometimes mentioned which I think also sounds plausible, is that labels like "Shaolin" were adopted to denote "anti-manchu" tendencies.

What I'm really at: we all know that the various creation myths need to be taken with a large pinch of salt. But by collecting contradicting histories - like al the various styles claiming to come from Ng Mui, it will be ablre to demonstrate this obvious fact to the many kung Fu bunnies.
:bully:

**Gezere** · Posted On: 4/28/2006 10:54am

I didn't quote "plausible" I quoted Shaolin Temple history as told by the head Abbot and monks like Shi Yan Ming and Shi Heng Yi.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 4/28/2006 11:02am

Sorry, everyone knows the different mysteries in the histories.

So, basically when you put them all together, you'll just get different factions saying they have the real______(insert art here).

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 4/28/2006 11:05am

Originally Posted by LORD ASIA

I didn't quote "plausible" I quoted Shaolin Temple history as told by the head Abbot and monks like Shi Yan Ming and Shi Heng Yi.

Eventhough you are right people have said the abbot is a mouthpiece for the chinese government.

**Fantasy Warrior** · Posted On: 4/28/2006 11:27am

Originally Posted by LORD ASIA

I didn't quote "plausible" I quoted Shaolin Temple history as told by the head Abbot and monks like Shi Yan Ming and Shi Heng Yi.

He still has a vested interest in presenting the Shaolin temple as the centre of CMA history. I still see it as plausible rather than definate. He might be right, he might be spouting propoganda.

**Matt Bernius** · Posted On: 4/28/2006 11:45am

We do know some thing from historical record. One is that Martial Arts in China predates Shaolin by a few hundred years. The Yellow Emperor's Cannon discusses what might be called proto-long fist.

We also know of certain arts that are identified with specific ethnic groups that had little to no involvement with Buddism. Hakka and Muslim arts are examples of this.

My understanding is that all of the Gar arts do draw a direct line to Shaolin (or at least the Southern temple). On suggested method for identification is if the art contains certain forms (such as the Marrow Washings and Tendon what-cha-maggie) then they've got a "truer" Shaolin line to them.

As Kickcatcher has suggest, Shaolin is a "brand mark" at this point and so connections in some way suggest legimization (as opposed to being legit through execution). The other question is at what point does the material an art practices so differentate from "core Shaolin" that it ceases to be a Shaolin art.

For example, Asia, where does Baji fall?

- Matt

**Fantasy Warrior** · Posted On: 4/28/2006 12:11pm

Re Hakka arts like SPM. They were my first thought when i wondered what southern styles don't claim Shaolin. But then there is Chuka which does claim to be Shaolin. And armed with google, you don't have to look very far for SPMers claiming lineage to Shaolin:

This style of Kung Fu was originally popular in the southern China regions of Wai Young, Ping Son, Dom Suey, Kai Jung. The short name is Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu or Hakka Kuen. The system has a reputation as a deadly Kung Fu art with short internal power techniques and Phoenix-eye fist strikes.
According to Grandmaster Lam Sang See, the original source of this style of Kung Fu came from Shaolin Kung Fu and was based on the root of Shaolin Gum Jung Jow Dit Bo Yee. During the second generation, Shem Moon Yuel Kung was added as a complete style of the system, Yim Yung Yuel Kung, combining internal and external aspects to form this fighting system. The original monk was Sam Dot (Dot Bo) of the Shaolin Temple.

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/6968/smantis.htm