Shaolin Kung Fu

Shaolin Kung Fu, also known as Shaolin Boxing, is the oldest martial art among all the major schools in China. It boasts the most diverse and comprehensive range of styles and the most profound cultural significance within the Chi- nese martial arts community. Its origins can be traced back to the Shaolin Temple in Songshan, Henan Province. According to legend, during the Southern and Northern dynasties (420-589) period, an Indian Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma (?- 536) came to the Temple to teach Zen Buddhism and practice meditation. Bodhidharma, along with others, observed various movements performed by ancient Chinese individuals during physical exercise and adapted these movements to create a fitness routine called "body-relaxing techniques" and Luohan's 18 hands, with the latter combining dynamic and static elements. These forms of physical exercise were used to train monks and are considered the embryonic form of Shaolin Boxing. For over 1,500 years, Shaolin Kung Fu has been passed down consistently without interruption. From its origins as a means of protecting the temple and strengthening the body, it has gradually developed into a manifestation of culture with rich connotations and a complete set of wellness techniques. Throughout the ages, hundreds of Shaolin Kung Fu forms have been passed down, including popular training routines such as fighting or sparring with fists, with a stick, with a sword, or with other similar weapons. It has evolved into a unique sports activity with distinct features.

The practice of Shaolin Kung Fu is based on a complete set of theories which infuse Buddhist beliefs, particularly Zen Buddhism, into martial arts techniques. The cultural concept of the "unity of heaven and man" is reflected in the emphasis on the "unity of Zen and martial arts". For Shaolin Kung Fu practitioners, the pursuit of wisdom and strength is insepara- ble from the integration of Zen meditation into the process of martial arts training. This is where Shaolin Kung Fu stands out from other martial arts. Shaolin Kung Fu was included on China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006.

Shaolin Kung Fu focuses on promoting harmony, health, compassion, equality, unity, and a positive lifestyle. These ideas have been embraced by people all over the world. More than 60 million people worldwide have benefited from prac- ticing Shaolin Kung Fu. The Shaolin Temple has established more than 200 overseas cultural centers around the world, using traditional Chinese martial arts as a means to promote cross-cultural exchanges and mutual learning.

少林功夫

少林功夫，亦即少林拳，是中國武術界各大流派中歷史最悠久、種類最繁多、體系最龐大、最具文化內涵的門派。少林功夫發源于河南嵩山的少林寺。相傳南北朝時期，印度高僧達摩（？—536）曾來此傳授禪宗、靜坐修心。達摩等人仿效中國古代勞動人民鍛煉身體的各種動作，編成健身活動的“活身法”以及動靜結合的“十八羅漢手”以傳授僧人， 形成“少林拳”的雛形。1500多年來，少林功夫有序傳承、從未間斷，由最初保護寺院、強身健體的手段，逐漸發展成為技術完備、內涵豐富的文化表現形式。歷代傳習的少林功夫套路有數百種，其中較為流傳的有拳術、棍術、刀術、劍術、器械和對練等。隨著社會發展，少林功夫已經演變為一種具有獨特功能的體育運動項目。

少林功夫具有完整的技術和理論體系，它以武術技藝和套路為表現形式，以佛教信仰和禪宗智慧為文化內涵，講求“禪武合一”的精神境界，反映了“天人合一”的文化理念。對于智慧與力量的渴望，將禪修融入練武的過程，一直是少林功夫習練者的追求目標。這是少林功夫的特色所在，也是少林功夫與其他武術的主要區別。2006年，少林功夫入選中國國家級非物質文化遺產保護名錄。

少林功夫有著增進和諧、健康向上的內容，其蘊含的慈悲、平等、圓融、和合理念，受到世界各國民眾的關注與喜愛，吸引全球6000余萬人習練功夫，從中獲得身心裨益。少林寺在全球各地建立了200多個海外少林文化中心，以中華傳統武術文化為媒介，促進中外文明交流互鑒。