| The famous Shaolin Temple is located in the | | | | The temple plays an important role in Chinese |
| beautiful Songshan Mountains, which is 50 miles | | | | martial arts. It is believed that all martial arts in |
| southwest of Zhenzhou, the capital of Henan | | | | China emerged from Shaolin. The temple was |
| Province. It is just 8 miles from Dengfeng. It is | | | | strategically located and had to find ways and |
| the most famous temple in entire China renowned | | | | means of protecting itself from invaders. The |
| for its martial arts and its contribution to Chinese | | | | temple also was supported by different dynasties |
| Buddhism. | | | | over centuries. This is because 13 Shaolin monks |
| The temple was established in 495 AD during the | | | | saved Li Shimin, the emperor of Tang Dynasty. |
| rule of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386 - 534 AD). | | | | After this, the temple was allowed to keep |
| Batuo, and Indian Buddhist monk, came to | | | | monks who were also soldiers. During the Ming |
| Luoyang , the capital city of the dynasty, with the | | | | Dynasty, the temple had over 1,000 soldier |
| view of spreading Buddhism. Incidently, Emperor | | | | monks and the emperor used them to quell |
| Xiaowen was a follower and believer so he | | | | rebellions and to fight against Japanese bandits. |
| decided to build a temple in Songshan Mountains | | | | However, during the Qing Dynasty (1316 - 1644), |
| for Batuo to live in. Here the monk translated | | | | martial arts were forbidden by law. |
| many Buddhist works and established a faithful | | | | Although the Shaolin Temple had soldier monks, it |
| following. | | | | was always being attacked. A few times it was |
| In 517 AD, another Buddhist monk, Damo came | | | | severely damaged by fire. However, the biggest |
| to live in the temple. Damo is the creator of | | | | destruction was done by Shi Yousan, a warlord, |
| Chinese Zen. Many people believe that Damo | | | | who set fire to temple in 1928 and destroyed |
| wrote the famous Yijinjing, on which Gongfu or | | | | most of the buildings. |
| Shaolin martial arts is based. However, there is no | | | | Today one can see over 300 ancient inscriptions |
| comprehensive evidence. There are others who | | | | on stone and 232 pagoda from different |
| believe it was a Taoist priest from Tiantai | | | | dynasties. The oldest pagoda dates back to Tang |
| Mountain who wrote Yijinjing in 1624. To add to | | | | Dynasty. These pagodas are tombs of notable |
| mystery this priest, Zongheng, made up a story | | | | Shaolin monks. There is also a large mural in the |
| telling people that Damo wrote it. | | | | Qianfo Hall dating back to the Ming Dynasty. |