Shaolin Monastery
2008-03-17
Location: Henan ProvinceShaolin Monastery (Shaolin si) is to Chinese martial arts (kongfu) what golf is to St. Andrews. The Monastery was built, in 495 AD, on the Shaoshi Peak (Shaoshi feng) from whence it took its name. Many legends ascribe different stories to the founding of the ancient site, but the Chinese follow the story that it was built by Emperor Xiawen of the Northern Wei Dynasty to accommodate an eminent Indian monk, Bodhidharma, alleged founder of the Chan (Zen) sect of Buddhism. In later years, another accomplished monk, and a disciple of the 29th generation of Sakimonia, made a long trek, via the capital in Nanjing, to preach here, thus securing the monastery as a cradle of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, as well as Mecca for believers.
It is said that Kungfu was created because the monks of the monastery had little to do beyond long spells in contemplation of the meaning of life and the universe. To relieve themselves of the great monotony of daily life, the monks imitated the movements of various different animals, gradually developing this imitation into a unique martial art.
China Window»
- British students learn from China
- Capital airport to close on Olympic big night
- China sends extra teams to monitor fund using in
- Textbook price hikes hit 10-year high in Hong
- China to improve transparency of public hearings
- Chinese Tibetologist delegation visits Britain
- Taiwan pushes for expansion of cross-Straits
- Eighth Confucius Institute in Germany opens in
- China gadget spending to overtake EU
- Olympic opening ceremony plan revealed
Industry News»
- Chinese, Arabs spur investment in Africa
- BHP to mine projects with Chinese
- Glittering 55% profit up for Shandong gold
- China imports LCD panels at higher cost
- Leather export limit begins to pay off
- Olympic flame arrives in Beijing
- Chinese, Thai PMs meet on ties
- China emerges India's top trade partner
- Declining export slows China GDP to 10.5%
- Changing fortunes across the Taiwan strait
- China: Latin business boom
- China soybean importers set to suffer
Hot Products: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0-9
-
-
About Us -
Links -
Privacy Policy -
Terms of Use -
Site Map -
Contact Us -
Call Center: 0086-95105561 © 2007 Tootoo.com -
