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The Shaolin Monastery holds a legendary status in the martial arts realm. From Bruce Lee to Kung Fu Panda to the widespread influence of Buddhist teachings in the West—Shaolin is the birthplace of it all. Despite its significance, there is still much about it that remains unknown to most people.
10. Its Origins Are Linked To India
Shaolin is such a crucial element of Chinese culture that many are surprised to learn its founder was not of Chinese descent. Batuo, also known as Buddhabhadra, was an Indian monk who traveled to the Northern Wei Empire around A.D. 464. He preached there for several decades, and it was during this time that Emperor Xiaowen ordered the construction of the Shaolin Monastery on Mount Song in modern-day Henan Province, appointing Batuo as its first abbot. Though records from that era are sparse, the monastery is believed to have served as a key site for translating Buddhist scriptures into Chinese.
Under Batuo’s guidance, the monks adhered to the Hinayana school of Buddhism. This path was known to be incredibly challenging, even for monks, leading the monastery to remain small. It was only with the arrival of Bodhidharma, another Indian monk, that the focus shifted from Hinayana to Chan (Zen) Buddhism, a tradition the Shaolin monks continue to follow today.
9. It’s Not The Only Order Of Warrior Monks
Contrary to what many believe, Shaolin is not the sole institution of warrior monks. In fact, it wasn’t even the first to have fighting monks. Long before Shaolin was established, other Chinese Buddhist monasteries had already incorporated weapons and martial arts into their practices. Shaolin itself was originally intended to be a peaceful hub of learning. According to legend, it was only after Bodhidharma arrived in the fifth or sixth century A.D. that the monks began to train in combat skills. However, the earliest documented records of Shaolin martial arts date back to the 14th century.
The world is certainly not short of religious groups with martial traditions. In India, the Naga Sadhus were once among the most heavily armed and battle-ready of Hindu sects. Followers of Shiva, the Sadhus are recognized today by tourists as holy men dressed in loincloths with matted hair. Yet, during the Mughal era, they were feared warriors, notorious for wielding deadly sharpened iron pincers.
Korean Buddhist monks also engage in martial arts known as Bool Kyo Mu Sool (Buddhist Temple Martial Arts), and were historically called upon to defend their nation during times of crisis. In Japan, the Sohei, or ‘monk warriors,’ once ruled vast regions, driven by their belief in salvation through holy warfare. Even in Tibet, there existed orders of warrior monks under the leadership of the Dalai Lama.
8. Kung Fu Was Not Originated at Shaolin
In China, it is often said that 'all martial arts under heaven arose out of Shaolin.' However, this is not historically accurate. After Shaolin's founding, there was no organized system of martial training for several centuries. While the monks did play a role in the battles that helped establish the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618–907), there is no evidence that they had developed any unique fighting techniques at that time. Scholars believe that the monks in the Tang period primarily used standard Tang-era weaponry and were no more skilled in martial arts than other soldiers. Although Shaolin martial arts records first appear in the 14th century, the monks likely began focusing on fighting with the long staff (their signature weapon) in the 12th century. Shaolin’s mastery of hand-to-hand combat, however, is not seen until the 16th century.
In contrast, kung fu’s origins date back long before the Shaolin temple was even established. The Spring and Autumn Annals, likely written between 800–500 B.C., mention 'hard' and 'soft' martial arts techniques, a distinction that still forms a fundamental philosophy of kung fu today. By the time the Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368–1644) came around, when Shaolin became known for its martial arts, kung fu had already been widely practiced throughout China.
7. It Played a Key Role in Establishing an Imperial Dynasty
Shaolin's dominance among Chinese monasteries began to solidify towards the end of the Sui Dynasty (581–618 A.D.). While the Sui Dynasty had successfully unified China, it quickly collapsed due to widespread revolts and the assassination of the emperor. As the empire crumbled, various noble families competed for control. One of the contenders for the throne was Wang Shichong, a former Sui general, who took control of the Zheng territory. To secure his hold on Luoyang, the ancient capital, Wang Shichong constructed a signal tower and military camp on Mount Huanyuan, a land originally granted to Shaolin by Emperor Wen of Sui. Fearing a potential rebellion from the monks, Wang Shichong sent an army to besiege Shaolin. In response, the monks pledged their loyalty to his rival, Li Yuan, who would later establish the Tang dynasty.
Li Yuan dispatched his son, Prince Li Shimin, to assist the monks and launch an attack on Luoyang. With the monks’ help, Li Shimin successfully drove Wang Shichong’s forces from Mount Huanyuan, leaving Luoyang exposed and forcing Wang to surrender. With Wang's defeat, the Tang Dynasty secured its control over China, reigning until A.D. 907. Shaolin’s crucial role in the victory solidified its high regard within the Tang Dynasty.
6. The Dark and Legendary Origins of Tea
China’s most cherished drink is surrounded by a variety of myths and legends about its origins. One such story hails from the Tang dynasty and is a macabre tale of intense religious devotion and severed body parts.
According to the legend, long after the Shaolin Temple had been founded, a dedicated monk named Bodhidharma embarked on a perilous journey from his homeland in India to China, hoping to spread Buddhist teachings. After traveling throughout the country, he eventually arrived at the Shaolin Temple and chose to reside in a cave nearby. In this cave, he exhibited remarkable dedication by meditating for nine years with his back pressed against a cold stone wall, without food, water, or sleep, keeping his eyes wide open.
Years later, Bodhidharma attempted the same feat again, but this time, he found himself drifting off during meditation. Frustrated with his lapse in discipline, he decided to cut off his own eyelids to prevent himself from succumbing to sleep. Where his eyelids fell, a plant miraculously grew. The leaves of this plant had the power to keep him awake, and thus, the tea bush was born. This is said to be the reason why tea leaves resemble withered eyelids.
5. The Shaolin Werewolf
According to legend, in the latter part of the 19th century, there was a man named Tai Djin, who earned the nickname langren, or ‘werewolf,’ of Shaolin. Djin, afflicted with hypertrichosis, was known for his hair-covered body—and for being the greatest martial artist in China.
The werewolf of Shaolin was born into a superstitious family who believed he was a demon. Fearing that his presence would bring misfortune, they swaddled the child and abandoned him in a nearby forest. Fortunately, some Shaolin monks, passing by, heard his cries and took pity on him, rescuing the infant and bringing him to the Fukien Shaolin Temple. The monks tried to find a family willing to adopt the hairy child, but no one would take him in. Eventually, they decided to raise him themselves.
Raised at the temple, Tai Djin trained in martial arts under the Shaolin masters. Unlike most martial artists who focus on mastering just one or two styles of kung fu, Tai Djin chose to master all of them. One tale claims he perfected over 200 “empty hand” techniques and became proficient with more than 100 different weapons. He was even said to have mastered the legendary dim mak, or 'death touch.'
Tai Djin was also said to possess extraordinary senses. A famous anecdote tells of an instance when he entered a room where 12 Shaolin masters were gathered. Instead of greeting them as was customary, he pulled out a knife and threw it straight at the ceiling. To everyone’s astonishment, an assassin fell from above, the knife lodged in his chest. When asked how he knew of the assassin’s presence, Tai Djin explained that when he entered the room, he saw 12 people but heard 13 breathing.
Unfortunately, it remains unclear whether Tai Djin was truly connected to Shaolin or if he was even a real person. Nonetheless, his legend continues to inspire martial artists to this day.
4. The Shaolin Deity
One deity that the Shaolin monks hold in special reverence as their patron ‘saint’ is the Bodhisattva Vajrapani. Much like the Christian saints, Vajrapani is the subject of many curious legends. One of the most unusual tells the story of how Vajrapani came to the aid of a young monk being bullied by others.
Long ago, shortly after the establishment of Shaolin, there was a monk named Sengchou, who was relentlessly tormented by his fellow monks. Fed up with the constant abuse, Sengchou sought divine intervention to end his suffering. He traveled to a temple housing a statue of Vajrapani and prayed fervently for six days and nights, enduring thirst and hunger without food or water. Finally, on the sixth night, the deity appeared before him.
With a thunderous voice, Vajrapani asked the monk if he truly desired to become stronger. When Sengchou eagerly nodded, Vajrapani summoned a massive bowl of steaming meat and instructed him to eat. Sengchou, horrified, refused, as monks are meant to renounce meat. Annoyed by the monk’s hesitation, Vajrapani took out his knife and pried Sengchou’s mouth open, forcing the meat down his throat. Sengchou tried to vomit it up, but Vajrapani threatened him with a beating unless he complied. Terrified of the god’s wrath, Sengchou finally swallowed the meat as quickly as he could.
When Sengchou returned to his dormitory, his bullies immediately confronted him. To everyone’s astonishment, he suddenly exhibited immense strength and incredible combat skills, effortlessly defeating them. His newfound abilities were so extraordinary that he could run up walls, leap several stories high, and lift massive objects with ease. Needless to say, the bullying ceased. All thanks to Vajrapani and the mysterious bowl of meat.
3. Star Wars and Shaolin
As George Lucas himself has revealed, the Shaolin monks were a major inspiration for the Jedi Knights, and the Star Wars films owe much of their essence to these real-life monks. The concept of an all-pervading 'Force' within every living being closely resembles the idea of 'Chi.' Legendary Shaolin monks credited their superhuman physical abilities to the mastery of Chi, just as Jedi draw upon the Force. The acrobatic combat techniques of the Jedi with their lightsabers strongly mirror the agile maneuvers of Shaolin monks wielding their staffs and double-edged swords. Even the Jedi’s code of semi-pacifism, their abstention from worldly pleasures, and their emotional detachment parallel Buddhist principles.
The similarities between the Jedi Order’s history and the Shaolin Temple’s saga are also striking. The power struggle between the Jedi and Emperor Palpatine mirrors Shaolin’s own conflict with the Qing Dynasty rulers. In Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine orders Anakin Skywalker to destroy the Jedi Temple and murder the younglings within. Shaolin suffered a similar fate when the Qing emperor commanded the temple’s destruction and the massacre of its monks and children.
2. The Jieba
Those who enjoy kung fu films featuring Shaolin monks may have noticed that these monks are often depicted with nine circular dots (arranged in three rows of three) on their foreheads. This mark is called the Jieba, a sacred symbol placed on a monk by his master or Abbot once he has completed his rigorous training. The Jieba carries deep significance within Shaolin culture—each dot represents one of the essential principles of conduct that every monk must adhere to. Unfortunately, the Jieba was banned for a period of time, only recently being allowed to return.
Receiving the Jieba is no simple matter; it involves a long ceremony, including a month of strenuous meditation and physical conditioning. At the pinnacle of the ceremony, nine incense sticks are carefully secured to the top of the monk’s head using a special paste. The incense burns until it singes the skin of the monk’s scalp, turning it black.
In 2007, the Chinese government announced a partial lifting of the ban on the Jieba, permitting the monks to bring back this ancient tradition. Only 100 monks were found to be both physically and mentally ready to undergo the Jieba ceremony, and just 43 monks followed through with the branding. To this day, only one Westerner is known to have received the Jieba—Franco Testini, also known as Shi Yan Fan, an Italian-born monk who now oversees an affiliated temple in California.
1. Shaolin vs. Japanese Pirates
As the Shaolin monks honed their combat skills, they were often recruited to serve in China's military. A significant threat to the nation's stability came from the seas, where the notorious Wokou, Japanese pirates known as the 'dwarf pirates,' wreaked havoc. In the early 16th century, coastal towns in China faced constant raids by these buccaneers, disrupting trade and causing widespread panic. By 1553, the Wokou launched a brutal attack on the port city of Hangzhou, leaving hundreds dead, thousands homeless, buildings destroyed, and a vast fortune looted. Finally, the Ming court took action. A royal decree conscripted 120 elite warrior monks to eliminate the pirate menace.
Led by Tianzheng and Tianchi from the Shaolin Temple, the monks set out to confront the Wokou and put an end to their reign of terror. However, the pirates proved more formidable than the monks had anticipated. Out of the four major battles between the two forces, three ended in a stalemate. Only during the Battle of Wengjiagang were the monks completely victorious, annihilating the pirates in an intense clash. The monks displayed a ruthless determination, showing no mercy as they slaughtered every pirate they encountered. In one instance, a monk wielded an iron staff to kill the wife of a pirate attempting to escape the carnage.
