SHAOLIN TEMPLE TRADITIONS - WARRIOR MONKS
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Shi Henglin
and his Sengbing (Monk Soldiers) in front of the Da Xiong Bao Dian |
Later Qing Period Shaolin Temple Boxing Masters
Shi Henglin (释恒林,1865-1923): One of the protectors and heroes of the Shaolin Temple prior to the 1928 burning, having fought in over 10 militant battles, Shi Henglin was great martial monk and master of various boxing styles.
Shi Zhenxu (释贞绪,1893-1955): In 1899 he was ordained as a monk at the Longxing Temple. In 1920 he arrived at the Shaolin Temple and became a disciple of Shi Henglin. He studied Shaolin Boxing arduously with Shi Henglin and other senior monks, including methods such as Hongquan, Tongbiquan, Paoquan and various weapons. He also practiced Tie Shen Kao and Ti Qian Jin specialised skills. Shi Zhenxu's notable disciples included Shi Degen and Shi Suxi.
Shi Degen (释德根, 1914-1968): A student of Head monk Zhen Xu (1893-1955) and of Wu Sanlin (1875-1970). he was the key martial monk of the Shaolin Temple and during his relative short life had become reonowned for his martial skills teaching many monk and lay disciples alike. A large majority of what is recognised as traditional Shaolin Temple boxing today is derived from the arts that Shi Degen practiced, this includes the Shaolin Luohanquan which was core to his teachings. Master Shi Degen had many disciples, some of his notable students include Yang Guiwu, Li Yinzhang, Han Shubin, Chen Qiuju, Liu Cunliang, Liu Zhenhai, Shi Yongwen, Wang Xiqian, An Zhenxi, Zheng Jinbao, Wang Tianren (Shi Suxiang), Dao Xingshu, Yang Jiancai and Zhu Tianxi.
Shaolin Temple Boxing Masters
Shi Suxi (释素喜, 1924-2006): Master Shi Suxi (Geng Shuanzhu) was born in 1926 in a village near Dengfeng, Henan Province. He became a monk at the Shaolin Temple in 1934 and became a disciple of Head monk Zhen Xu studying Chan, Medicine and Martial Arts. Remaining in the temple throughout its turbulent and difficult periods, he remained a spiritual symbol of the spirit of shaolin and of its three treasures (Buddhism, Medicine and Martial Arts).
Shi Suyi: Layman disciple Shi Suyi (Liang Yiquan, 梁以全) was born in 1931 in Dengfeng, Henan Province and studied Shaolin martial arts since the age of 6 with his father Liang Haishui. Later he also progressed his studies under the guidance of 29th Generation Shaolin monk Shi Zhen Huo. Master Liang Yiquan's specialty is the Tai Zu Chang Quan set for which he is renowned.
Liu Baoshan (刘宝山): Master Liu Baoshan was born in 1930 in Dengfeng, Henan Province. He studied Shaolin Martial Arts under the tutelage of his father Liu Jingwen. Upon request from the Shaolin Temple at the time, he opened the Dengfeng Tagou School in 1978 where he currently teaches alongside his 3 sons Liu Haichao, Liu Haiqin and Liu Haike. Known as "Tian Xia Di yi Wuguan" (Number one school under heaven), there are over 8,000 students at the Tagou school enrolled currently, and Master Liu Baoshan has been instrumental in the preservation and development of traditional Shaolin Temple martial arts.
Current recognized Shaolin Temple Boxing Masters
Currently, there are a multitude of Shaolin Masters throughout the world as the Shaolin Temple gains the popularity and following of its historical past once again. In Henan Province, Ten Traditional Shaolin Boxing Masters have gained recognition and been commemorated: Cui Xiqi, Chen Chengwen, Chen Wujing, Fu Zhigan, Liu Baoshan, Liang Yiquan, Liu Zhenhai, Wang Changqing, Lian Heguan and Chen Jun.
NORTHERN SHAOLIN TRADITIONS
Shaolin Kanjiaquan (Shaolin Protecting the Temple Boxing)
Often known as Xing Gong (Moving Skills, because it combined basic exercises with martial techniques), Kanjia Quan (Guarding the the House Boxing) and Northern Shaolin (or Bak Siu Lum for those practitioners from the South).
This style's tradition traces its legendary origins to Abbott Fu Ju around 961 AD, when he had invited Masters from around China for a gathering over three times to discuss the martial arts and developed the best of these skills into the 10 sets of Northern Shaolin, which were to be carried down the generations via his disciples Ling Zhi, Ling Min and Ling Qiu.
The style is additionally said to be related to the famous Hua Quan (Flower Boxing) Master Gan Fengchi, who had studied with the Shaolin Monk Zhao Yuan (in the early Qing Dynasty). Many generations later the skills ended up with the Yan Family.
Yang Xiushan (杨秀山, 1885-1949), (28th generation) from Zaozhuangyi Village in Shandong, was a lay disciple of Shaolin opened a school in Jinzhou which spread the art to the areas of southern Shandong, Anhui and Jiangsu provinces. Students of this school included His son Yang fawu (杨法武, 1899-1980) and Yang Peiwu (杨沛武, 1903-1981) , Song Dejian, Zhang Rusong, Wu Shumei, Zhao Baobi (赵宝璧, 1911-1988), Gao Zhuojun (1917-2003), Guo Qingfang, Yang Baode, Sha Yuanjin, Zhang Xifang, Xu Minwu and Yin Baoyou.
This School of Shaolin is famous for its Ten Sequences of Shaolin . Yang Peiwu also studied Bajiquan with Wu Xiufeng, so the system includes that style as well. The style from Yang Xiushan includes alot of content including the famous Shaolin 13 Claws methods.
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Gu Ruzhang |
Gu Ru Zhang (顾汝章, 1894-1952) was from Jiangsu province and had studied some basic Tantui with his father but later when his father passed away (around 1906), studied in Shandong province with Master Yan Yunqi (严蕴齐). He was the younger martial brother (Shi Di) of Yang Xiushan.
In 1928 National examinations, 3 from the most outstanding top 15 (due to too many fatalities, the competition was stopped) were from the Northern Shaolin Tradition (Gu Ruzhang, Yang Fawu (Yang Xiushan's Son) and Dou Laigeng (student of Yang Faqu), and were well recognized for their excellent skills.
Gu Ruzhang later was sent as one of the 5 Southbound Tigers to the south (Guangzhou) to spread Northern Chinese Martial martial arts there.
His most famous student was Yan Xiangwu (1887-1971), who is responsible for most of the practitioners outside China.
Shaolin Da Jingang Quan (Shaolin Great Buddhist Warrior Boxing)
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Qin Qingfeng |
Shaolin Da Jingang Quan, is also known as Jin Gang Luo Han Quan, is one of the ancient boxing traditions of the Northern Shaolin Fame. The art includes three aspects, Shaolin Wu Xing Ba Fa (5 Animals 8 Methods), Shaolin Da Jin Gang (Great Buddhist Warrir) and Shaolin Shi Ba Luohan (18 Buddhist Arhats).
Qin Tieyin ( 秦铁英, 1889-1967), from Baoding in Hebei Province. Qin Tieyin had studied the boxing methods whilst serving with the Baoding Military Academy. The boxing according to legends, is said to have originated back to the Song Dynasty and was held as an important advanced method and served to train the last line of defense monks in protecting the Shaolin Temple.
Qin Tieyin passed these methods to his son Qin Qingfeng (秦庆丰) who is the current keeper of the art and has done much to promote and pass on the art to many students across China including the Shaolin Temple which has created a hybrid set from his teachings and added to their curriculum.
Shaolin Wuziquan (Shaolin 5 Inheritors Boxing)
Legend proclaims that in the Ming Dynasty 5 monks: Zhou Fu, Pu Ren, Pu Jun, Pu Yi and Guang De had combined their arts and taking principles from the Sun Zi Bin Fa developed a new set of boxing which later practitioners called the 5 Sons (inheritors) Boxing.
In more recent times, later 1800's there was a practitioner of this style called Sun Laoting, who was from the Heihutuan village of Wucheng County, Shandong Province. He had been recognised as a capable fighter and as a result of his fame had challengers from Shaolin Temple to test his skills whom all fell to his masterful techniques. Sun Laoting taught three key disciples Sun Wanlin, Cui Fang and Liu Fengji. This school includes three sequences of Wuziquan, as well as 5 individual sets that are said to be the speciality of each of the 5 founders (Fan Quan, Hei Hu Quan, Jin Gang Quan, Shui Hu Quan and Yi Can Mu).
SOUTHERN SHAOLIN TRADITIONS
The 3 Southern Shaolin Temples
In Fujian, there now exist three Shaolin Temples: Quanzhou, Putian and Fuqing. Each having its own claim to the Shaolin tradition it is difficult to ascertain which (if any) is really considered a Southern Shaolin Temple. The current Songshan Shaolin Temple does not recognize any of them. Although archeological and historical records have been found in support of all three locations, it will remain a mystery if they were shaolin temples or just other temples. In terms of martial arts practice only the Quanzhou Southern Shaolin Temple practices traditional Southern Chinese Martial Arts (Wu Zu Quan - 5 Ancestors Boxing). Fuqing and Putian have monks installed with practices of both Modern Performance Wushu and Some of the Songshan Shaolin Temple Curriculum.
Southern Shaolin (Hung Gar) Tradition
As a result of folklore and tradition the Hung Kuen (Hung Mun) martial arts were also considered Southern Shaolin, these include personalities such as Hong Xiguan and Zhi San Chan Shi. For this we refer you to our section about the style here. Many of the schools in South East Asia such as the Wong Kiew Kit series are derivatives of Hung Gar and full into this category. The Hung Gar was one of the schools selected for the Shaolin Encyclopedia as representative of the Southern Shaolin Tradition.
Southern Shaolin (Fo Jia Pai) Tradition
Shi Gao Can (释高参,1886-1960) was from Huian Couny, Fujian Province, China. Living a difficult childhood with the loss of his parents and susbsequent poverty whilst living with his brother Lin Yajian. As a result, he left home in 1899 (at age 13) and became a disciple of Master Cao Biao, who ran a Logistics Security Bureau. He studied Wuzuquan/Taizuquan for over 3 years. When he returned home (at age 16) he traveled to Singapore to assist his brother who worked as boatman. Shortly after, his brother died at sea which greatly upset Lin Yahong and resulted in his decision to become a monk. He returned to Huain where he became a novice at the Qingxing Temple and later became a monk under the tutelage of Xingliang at the Meifeng Temple in Putian. He was ordained as Shi Gaocan.
Thereafter, Shi Gaocan dedicated himself to the study of Buddhist doctrines, martial arts and Chinese medicine. He travelled throughout China including famous religious mountains such as Wutaishan, Jiuhuashan, Huangshan and Emeishan meeting many masters of medicine, buddhism and martial arts. During this time he was fortunate to meet Venerable Master Huijing of the Nanhai Puji Temple on Putuoshan Island, Zhejiang Province. Venerable Master Huijing was a 47th generation of the 2nd Chamber (Religious not martial order referring to Lin ji (臨済) Divison of 5th Chan patriach Huineng) and a master of Medicine, Buddhism and Martial arts.
In 1948, Shi Gaocan was sent to become the Abbott of Shuanglin (Siong Lim) Temple in Singapore, here he taught some disciples and became very famous for his healing, buddhism and of course his martial arts.
The martial arts of Sek Koh Sum are characterized by features in common with martial arts of the Jiangnan Dong tradition (Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces), it favours deeply rooted stances and emphasises Ying Gong such as Iron Fist, Iron Legs, Iron Body etc. A real one hit kill mentality with much of the practices and techniques having very Buddhist influences both in names of movements but also in the postures themselves. The Fo Jia Pai was also one of the schools selected for the Shaolin Encyclopedia as representative of the Southern Shaolin Tradition. Some of Sek Koh Sum's disciples had later visited and become lay disciples of the Songshan Shaolin Temple monks.
