History
The legend of the Shao-Lin Temple is infamous throughout all of China and the Martial Arts World!
Shao-Lin Ssu (Young Forest Temple)
At the foot of Sung Shan (Sung Mountain), built approximately 495 AD, lies Shao-Lin Ssu, the Shao-Lin temple. Legend states that the Shao-Lin monks hired instructors to teach them the self defense skills to help them ward off bandits. With determination and focus the monks grew stronger. Learning, collecting and developing different forms and styles of fighting arts. Thus, the legend of the Shao-Lin Fighting Monks was born!
It was in the sixth century that Ta Mo, known as Bodhidharma in India, crossed the Himalayas and made his way to the Shao-Lin Temple. It was there he taught the Shao-Lin monks the 49 postures of the I Chin Ching, the Muscle Change Classic. Throughout the centuries the Shao-Lin monks added to and perfected their art, and it spread to the other temples. The monks of the Fukien, Shantung, Omei, Kwangtung, Wutang, and Hua Mountain temples focused their attentions on various aspects of the art. Northern and Southern Fist, Shantung Black Tiger, Fist of Hua Mountain, White Crane, Iron Bone Training, Tai Chi Ch'uan, including a wide variety of long and short range weapons are just a few of the styles and training methods practiced.
Shao-Lin Kung Fu still exists today, fifteen hundred years after Ta Mo's arrival at the Shao-Lin Ssu. His 49 postures of the I Chin Ching and much of the subsequent material has survived. The Shao-Lin Art has prevailed despite various attemptes to erradicate it. The Shao-Lin Monastery is still standing and allows visitors as does the cave where Ta Mo is believed to have meditated for nine years.
Chinese Shao-Lin Center, Boise
Master John D. Keller and George Ann D. Keller started the Chinese Shao-Lin Center in Boise 15 years ago. They are both certified under Grandmaster Sin Kwang The'
In 1996, as part of a group of 59 Shao-Lin students including Grand Master The' Master John and George Ann toured China and the Honan Shao-Lin Temple. Ours was the first trip made by a group of foreigners, to the famed Wu Tang Monastery atop Wu Tang Mountain. We participated in a colorful Martial Arts demonstration, and cultural exchange with the monks there. Afterwards, we enjoyed a long hike up the mountain on handmade, rustic, stone pathways and staircases. It was as challenging as it was beautiful. There is so much to see and enjoy during China visits.