Shaolin Monastery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shaolin Monastery
少林寺
Mahavira Hall, the monastery's main building in 2006
Religion
Affiliation	Chan Buddhism
Status	Active
Location
Location	Dengfeng, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
Location in Henan
Architecture
Architectural style	Chinese architecture
Date established	495
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Location	China
Part of	Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in "The Centre of Heaven and Earth"
Criteria	Cultural: (iv)
Inscription	2010 (34th Session)

Shaolin Monastery
"Shaolin Temple" in Chinese
Chinese	少林寺
Literal meaning	"Temple of Shao[shi Mountain] Woods"
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Shàolín sì Wade–Giles Shao4-lin2 ssŭ4 IPA [ʂâu̯.lǐn sɨ̂] Wu Romanization Soh去 lin平 zy去 Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Siuh-làhm jih IPA [sìːu.lɐ̏m tsìː] Jyutping Siu6-lam4 zi6 Southern Min Tâi-lô Siàu-lîm sī

The Shaolin Monastery (少林寺; shàolínsì), also known as the Shaolin Temple, is a famous place in China. Many people believe it is where Chan Buddhism began. It is also known as the home of Shaolin Kung Fu.

You can find the monastery at the foot of Wuru Peak. This peak is part of the Songshan mountain range in Dengfeng County, Henan province, China. Its name means "Temple of the Shao[shi Mountain] Woods."

Mount Song was important to Chinese people even before the 1st century BC. It was named one of the Five Holy Peaks. The monastery is about 48 km (30 mi) southeast of Luoyang. Luoyang was once the capital city of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

The first leader of Shaolin, Batuo, worked on translating Buddhist writings. He also taught his ideas to many followers. A legend says that Bodhidharma, an important Buddhist leader from India, arrived at Shaolin Temple in 527. He spent nine years meditating in a cave. He then started the Chinese Chan tradition at the temple. Because of this, Bodhidharma is seen as the first leader of Chan Buddhism.

The temple's old buildings are very beautiful and have deep cultural meaning. They are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Besides its role in Chinese Buddhism, the temple is famous for its martial arts. Shaolin monks have worked hard to create and improve Shaolin Kung Fu.

Shaolin culture has four main parts: Chan Buddhism (禅; chán), martial arts (武; wǔ), Buddhist art (艺; yì), and traditional Chinese medicine (医; yī). This culture is still a big part of daily life at the temple. It shows a lot about Chinese civilization. Many important people, monks, and students visit the temple. They come for pilgrimages and to share cultural ideas. Shaolin culture has spread worldwide. This is thanks to official Shaolin centers and foreign students. It has become a special symbol of Chinese culture.

History of Shaolin Temple

Early Dynasties: Northern Wei and Northern Zhou

Batuo, also known as Buddhabhadra, came to China around 490. He was supported by Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei. The Shaolin Monastery was built in 495 AD.

Thanks to Batuo, Shaolin became a key place for studying and translating Buddhist texts. It also became a meeting spot for respected Buddhist teachers. Records show that martial arts were already practiced at the temple during this time. Batuo's teachings were continued by his students, Sengchou and Huiguang.

In 506, Indian monks Lenamoti and Putiliuzhi came to Shaolin. They set up a hall to translate scriptures. They worked with Huiguang to translate an important Buddhist text. Later, Huiguang promoted a set of rules for monks. These rules became the basis for a Buddhist school called Luzong during the Tang Dynasty.

In 527, Bodhidharma arrived at the Shaolin Temple. He was the 28th leader of Mahayana Buddhism in India. Bodhidharma traveled across China for many years. He settled on Mount Song in the 520s. His teachings were based on the Lankavatara Sutra.

Bodhidharma introduced Chan Buddhism to the temple. The Shaolin Temple then grew into the main center for Chinese Chan Buddhism. Bodhidharma's teachings were passed to his student Huike. Legend says Huike cut off his arm to show his strong dedication. Huike had to leave the temple during a time when Buddhism was not allowed (574–580). In 580, Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou reopened the temple. He renamed it Zhi‘ao Temple.

The idea that Bodhidharma started martial arts at Shaolin Temple became popular in the 20th century. However, historians say this story comes from a 17th-century book. This book is called the Yijin Jing. The oldest copy of this book is from 1827. The book itself was written around 1624. The link between Bodhidharma and martial arts became widely known after a novel was published in 1907. This novel was called The Travels of Lao T'san.

Some scholars believe there was an earlier link between Bodhidharma and Shaolin. The monk and his students are said to have lived near the temple. In the 6th century, around 547 AD, records say Bodhidharma visited the Mount Song area. Later writings from 645 AD describe him as active there. Around 710 AD, Bodhidharma was directly linked to the Shaolin Temple. These writings mention him meditating facing a wall for many years. They also tell of Huike's efforts to learn from him.

In the 11th century, more detailed stories about Bodhidharma appeared. A stone carving at Shaolin from 728 AD shows Bodhidharma living on Mount Song. Another carving from 798 AD talks about Huike seeking his teachings. An engraving from 1209 shows the saint holding a shoe. This relates to an old legend about Bodhidharma. Many carvings from the 13th and 14th centuries show Bodhidharma in different roles. In 1125, a special temple was built in his honor at Shaolin.

Middle Dynasties: Sui, Tang, Wu Zhou, and Song

Emperor Wen of Sui was a Buddhist. He gave the temple its original name back. He also gave the community 100 hectares of land. Shaolin became a large temple with rich land and many properties. It was again a center for Chan Buddhism. Important monks from all over China visited often.

At the end of the Sui dynasty, the Shaolin Temple had a lot of property. This made it a target for thieves. The monks formed groups to protect the temple. At the start of the Tang dynasty, thirteen Shaolin monks helped Li Shimin. He was the future second emperor of the Tang dynasty. They helped him fight against Wang Shichong. In 626, Li Shimin thanked the Shaolin community. He gave them more land and a water mill.

The Tang dynasty also set up Shaolin branch temples across the country. They made rules for Shaolin monks and soldiers. These rules allowed them to help local governments and armies. Shaolin Temple also became a place where emperors and high officials would go for a quiet retreat. Emperor Gaozong of Tang and Empress Wu Zetian often visited Shaolin. They came for good luck and gave large donations. Empress Wu also discussed Chan ideas with the monk Tan Zong. During the Tang and Song dynasties, Shaolin Temple was very successful. It had over 14,000 acres of land and more than 2,000 monks. The Chan Buddhist school grew very popular during the Tang dynasty. It became the largest Buddhist school at that time.

Information about the first century of the Northern Song dynasty is limited. The Song rulers supported Buddhism. Chan Buddhism became the most important Buddhist school. Around 1093, a Chan master named Baoen promoted the Caodong School at Shaolin. This was a big change in Buddhist history. It meant Shaolin Temple officially became a Chan Buddhist Temple. Before this, it was a Lǜzōng temple with a Chan Hall.

Later Dynasties: Yuan, Ming, and Qing

At the start of the Yuan dynasty, Emperor Shizu of Yuan made the monk Xueting Fuyu the abbot of Shaolin. He put Fuyu in charge of all temples in the Mount Song area. During this time, the abbot built the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. He also started a system for naming Shaolin students. Each generation used a character from a special 70-character poem. In 1260, Fuyu was given the title "Divine Buddhist Master."

The end of the Yuan dynasty and the start of the Ming dynasty brought trouble. The temple needed to defend itself from rebels and bandits. During the Red Turban Rebellion in the 14th century, bandits attacked the monastery. They took valuables and destroyed much of the temple. The monks had to leave. The monastery was likely empty from 1351 or 1356 until at least 1359.

When the Ming dynasty began, Shaolin recovered. Many monks who had fled returned. At first, the government did not support martial arts. Later, during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor, Japanese pirates attacked China's coast. Generals Yu Dayou and Qi Jiguang fought against them. Qi Jiguang gathered martial artists from all over China, including Shaolin monks. They developed new fighting techniques to use against the pirates.

Because the monks helped fight the Japanese, the government rebuilt the temple. Shaolin also received special benefits, like not having to pay food taxes. Shaolin monks were later asked to join wars at least six more times. The imperial court built monuments for Shaolin Temple many times. This helped make Shaolin kung fu respected in China's martial arts world. During the Ming Dynasty (mid-16th century), Shaolin was at its peak. It was the main center of the Caodong School of Chan Buddhism.

In 1641, rebels led by Li Zicheng attacked the monastery. They did this because the monks supported the Ming dynasty. This attack destroyed the temple's fighting force. The temple fell into ruin. Only a few monks lived there until the early 18th century. Then, the Qing dynasty government supported and rebuilt it.

During the Qing dynasty, Shaolin Temple was favored by the emperors. In 1704, the Kangxi Emperor gave the temple a special tablet. It had the characters for "Shaolin Temple" (少林寺; shàolín sì) in his own handwriting. In 1735, the Yongzheng Emperor paid for major rebuilding. This included the gate and the Thousand Buddha's Hall. In 1750, the Qianlong Emperor visited Shaolin Temple himself. He stayed overnight and wrote poems and inscriptions.

A popular story from this time says the Qing government destroyed the temple. This was supposedly for anti-Qing activities. This destruction is said to have helped spread Shaolin martial arts. Five monks supposedly escaped and spread their knowledge across China. Some stories claim a southern Shaolin Temple was destroyed instead, or in addition. These stories are common in martial arts legends and fiction.

However, scholars see these stories as fictional. They come from inconsistent 19th-century secret society histories. They also seem to use local folk tales and popular novels. Modern scholars study these tales as folklore.

Modern Era: Republic of China and People's Republic of China

In the early days of the Republic of China, Shaolin Temple faced many wars. In 1912, a monk named Yunsong Henglin was chosen to lead the Shaolin Militia. He trained guards to keep local order. In 1920, a famine hit Henan province. Thieves became a problem. Henglin led the militia to fight them. This helped many villages near the temple live in peace.

In the late 1920s, Shaolin monks got involved in fights between warlords. They supported General Fan Zhongxiu against Shi Yousan. Fan was defeated. In 1928, Shi Yousan's troops entered Dengfeng and Shaolin Temple. The temple was Fan Zongxiu's headquarters. On March 15, Shi Yousan's officer set fire to the monastery. This destroyed many old towers and halls. The fire damaged important buildings and caused the death of some monks. Many cultural items and Buddhist scriptures were lost in the fire.

Japan's actions in Manchuria in the early 1930s worried the Chinese government. The military started a strong patriotic movement. This movement aimed to defend the country. Martial arts centers were set up across the country. The government also held events like "Martial arts returning to Shaolin." These events reminded people of the importance of patriotism. They celebrated how Shaolin martial arts helped defend China in the past.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the country became officially atheist. Some religions were allowed, but others were not. During the Cultural Revolution, monks at Shaolin Temple were forced to leave their religious life. Buddha statues were destroyed, and temple properties were taken.

After this period, Shaolin Temple was repaired and rebuilt. Buildings and items that were destroyed were remade to look like the originals. Some parts, like the old martial arts training ground and the Pagoda Forest, survived. They are still in their original state. In 1996, the Chuzu Temple and Shaolin Temple Pagoda Forest were listed as important cultural sites.

Shaolin Temple leaders wanted their historical buildings to become a UNESCO World Heritage site. This would help them get money for upkeep. Their application was accepted on August 1, 2010. UNESCO approved eight sites and eleven building groups. This included Shaolin's Resident Hall, Pagoda Forest, and Chuzu Temple.

In 1994, the temple registered its name as a trademark. In the late 2000s, Shi Yongxin, the abbot, began allowing Shaolin branches outside China. These branches are run by monks. They help spread Shaolin culture and kung fu around the world. By 2011, Yongxin and the temple ran over forty companies globally.

In 2018, for the first time in 1,500 years, the Shaolin Monastery raised the national flag of China. This was part of a "patriotism drive" by the government.

How Shaolin Temple is Managed

Historically, an abbot led the monastery. However, government rules on religion have changed this old system. A committee now leads the monastery. This committee is mostly made up of government officials. The government appoints the treasurer. This means the abbot has little control over the temple's money. The monastery shares its profits with the local government. The municipality gets two-thirds of the profits, and the monastery keeps one-third.

Achievements and Recognition

• In 2004, California officially named March 21 as California Songshan Shaolin Temple Day.
• In 2007, the temple was named a National 5A-level Scenic Spot. It was also recognized as a place for patriotism education.
• On August 1, 2010, eight buildings, including Shaolin Temple, became World Cultural Heritage sites by UNESCO.
• In April 2013, the Shaolin Temple Sutra Pavilion was chosen as an important unit for protecting ancient books.
• In May 2013, the Chinese government listed the ancient buildings of Shaolin Temple as national key cultural relics.

Shaolin Culture and Traditions

Cultural Heritage

Shaolin Temple has many cultural parts that work together. These parts make up the temple's important heritage. The most important parts are Chan (禅; chán), martial arts (武; wǔ), traditional medicine (中医; zhōngyī), and art (艺; yì). Shaolin culture is based on Mahayana Buddhism. Chan practice is its core. Martial arts, medicine, and art are how it is shown. Thanks to the abbot Shi Yongxin and the monks, Shaolin culture continues to grow. Over time, Shaolin culture has also taken in ideas from Confucianism and Taoism.

The temple now offers a cultural exchange program. Anyone can join, no matter their background. This program lets people experience Shaolin culture. It includes Chan meditation, Shaolin kung fu, Chan medicine, calligraphy, art, and archery. Chan practice helps people find calm and patience. It helps them live with hope, meaning, wisdom, and kindness. You can practice Chan in many ways. This includes daily activities like eating or walking. It also includes special practices like meditation and martial arts.

Shaolin kung fu is a system of different skills. It uses attack and defense movements. A "form" (套路; tàolù) is a series of movements put together. The movements are based on old Chinese medical knowledge. They fit with how the body moves naturally. At the temple, forms are taught with a focus on balance. Shaolin kung fu combines strong and soft movements, like yin and yang.

The Shaolin community works hard to protect and develop its heritage. They follow an old Chinese idea of harmony between nature and humans. Temple masters work to create the most natural body movements. This helps people reach their full potential.

Shaolin has also worked to share its culture around the world. In 2012, the first international Shaolin cultural festival was held in Germany. Later festivals took place in the US and England. Official Shaolin cultural centers are in many countries. Every year, the temple hosts over thirty international events. These events help promote cultural exchange.

Sharing Shaolin Culture Globally

Shaolin Temple is an important religious and cultural place. It is important both in China and worldwide. Since 1949, and especially since the 1970s, Shaolin Temple has shared its culture more and more. Many people from around the world have visited the temple. This includes dancers, martial artists, and even movie stars. Monks from Buddhist countries like Myanmar and Thailand have also visited. Political leaders from different countries have met with the temple's abbot. These include kings, queens, and presidents.

Today, there are over forty Shaolin cultural centers overseas. These centers were set up by the temple's leaders and students. Shaolin monks teach Buddhist lessons, martial arts, and meditation there. Shaolin Cultural Festivals are another way to share Shaolin culture. The first one was held in North America. These festivals share the deep meaning of Chinese culture and Eastern values with people worldwide.

Common Stories About Shaolin

In Western culture, Asian monks are often shown as wise and peaceful. They are seen as spiritual people who give good advice. This idea started in the 19th century. That is when Western explorers first met Buddhist monks in Asia. The monks were often seen as mysterious people with deep spiritual understanding. This idea is too simple, as Buddhist monks have many different beliefs. But this common idea has continued.

Buildings of Shaolin Temple

Protecting the Site

The original Shaolin Temple was burned down in 1928. This was done by a warlord. The monks were either killed or sent away. The area was mostly empty. During the Cultural Revolution, it was damaged even more. However, in 1982, a law was passed to protect cultural heritage in China.

The Songshan Scenic Area was created that year. It included the Shaolin Temple Scenic Spot. These "Scenic areas" were made to protect important natural or cultural places. The Songshan Scenic Area covered the mountains around Dengfeng. In 1990, the Shaolin Temple Scenic Spot was created within it. This spot included the famous monastery. It also included a large kung fu academy built by the government.

The government quickly gave money to rebuild the monastery for tourists. They planned to rebuild nine halls and restore ten. They also wanted to build eight new ones. But all the temple's records had been destroyed. Architects talked to older people who had been at the monastery before 1928. They asked for details about the buildings.

The task was bigger than just restoring the 1928 monastery. The monastery had been rebuilt many times before. It had been destroyed over twenty times. Its size had changed a lot, from twenty monks in the Tang dynasty to over 1,800 monks in the Yuan dynasty. It was hard to decide what to restore. By 1998, the government had rebuilt or restored fourteen buildings.

By 2010, it was clear that managing the site needed more than just the government. A new management group was formed. It was a partnership between the government, a private company, and the abbot. Their job was to balance keeping the site historically real and making it good for tourists.

UNESCO also became involved. In 2010, several old sites around Dengfeng became one UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Shaolin Scenic spot included three parts of this site. These were called the "architectural complex." UNESCO named these three ancient sites: the Shaolin Temple compound, its cemetery (the Pagoda Forest), and its smaller temple (the Chuzu Temple).

How to Get to the Site

The Shaolin Temple Scenic Spot is in the middle of Mount Song. This mountain range is near the Yellow River. It is about 50 km (31 mi) from Luoyang and 73 km (45 mi) from Zhengzhou. You can take a bus or car from either city to get there.

Mount Song has a large valley on its south side. Much of Dengfeng is in this valley. The mountains around the valley form an upside-down U shape. This is the Songshan Scenic Area. The Shaolin Scenic Spot is on the western side. You can reach it by China National Highway 207 (G207). This highway goes over the mountains and past the scenic spot. The north entrance of the scenic spot is right next to G207.

The major public parking lot, just south of the bus stop

The North Gate is a new area built for visitors. It helps people arrive and leave along Highway G207. The Shaolin bus stop is also nearby.

Layout of the Temple

The temple's inside area is 160 meters (525 ft) by 360 meters (1,181 ft). This is about 57,600 square meters (619,999 sq ft). The buildings are set up in three long rows. There are seven main halls in the center. Seven other halls are around them, with several yards. These halls are mostly museums with Buddhist items. Memorials and monuments are all over the place. There are also old ginkgo trees.

The buildings are listed below as they are recognized by the World Heritage Site.

Main Temple Area (Kernel Compound)

• Shanmen (Chinese: 山门): Built in 1735. The entrance sign says "Shaolin Temple" in golden letters. This was written by the Kangxi Emperor in 1704.
• Forest of Steles (Chinese: 碑林; pinyin: beilin): A collection of stone tablets.
• Ciyun Hall (Chinese: 慈雲堂; pinyin: ciyuntang): Built in 1686, changed in 1735, and rebuilt in 1984. It has a corridor with 124 stone tablets from different dynasties.
• West Arrival Hall (Chinese: 西来堂; pinyin: xilaitang): Also called Kung Fu Hall (Chinese: 锤谱堂; pinyin: chuiputang). Built in 1984.
• Four Heavenly Kings Hall (Chinese: 天王殿; pinyin: tianwangdian): Built during the Yuan dynasty, repaired later.
• Bell tower (Chinese: 钟楼; pinyin: zhonglou): Built in 1345, rebuilt in 1994. The bell was made in 1204.
• Drum tower (Chinese: 鼓楼; pinyin: gulou): Built in 1300, rebuilt in 1996.
• Kimnara Palace Hall (Chinese: 紧那罗殿; pinyin: jinnaluodian): Rebuilt in 1982.
• Sixth Patriarch Hall (Chinese: 六祖堂; pinyin: liuzutang)
• Mahavira Hall (Chinese: 大雄宝殿; pinyin: daxiongbaodian): Also known as Main Hall or Great Hall. Built around 1169, rebuilt in 1985.
• Dining Hall: Built during the Tang dynasty, rebuilt in 1995.
• Sutra Room
• Dhyana Halls: Rebuilt in 1981.
• Guest Reception Hall
• Dharma Hall (Sermon) Hall (Chinese: 法堂; pinyin: fatang): Also called Scripture Room (Chinese: 藏经阁; pinyin: zang jing ge). Rebuilt in 1993.
• East & West guest rooms
• Abbot's Room (Chinese: 方丈室; pinyin: fangzhangshi): Built during the early Ming dynasty.
• Standing in Snow Pavilion (Chinese: 立雪亭; pinyin: lixueting): Also called Bodhidharma Bower (Chinese: 达摩庭; pinyin: damoting). Rebuilt in 1983.
• Manjusri Hall (pinyin: wenshudian): Rebuilt in 1983.
• Samantabhadra Hall
• White Robe (Avalokitesvara) Hall (Chinese: 白衣殿; pinyin: baiyi (Guan yin) dian): Also called Kung Fu Hall (pinyin: quanpudian). Built during the Qing dynasty.
• Ksitigarbha Hall (Chinese: 地臧殿; pinyin: di zang dian): Built during the early Qing dynasty, rebuilt in 1979.
• Thousand Buddha Hall (Chinese: 千佛殿; pinyin: qianfodian): Also called Vairocana Pavilion (Chinese: 毗庐阁; pinyin: piluge). Built in 1588, repaired later.
• Ordination Platform: Built in 2006.
• Monks' rooms
• Shaolin Pharmacy Bureau: Built in 1217, rebuilt in 2004.
• Bodhidharma Pavilion (pinyin: chuzuan): First built during the Song dynasty.
• Bodhidharma Cave
• Shaolin Temple Wushu Guan (Martial arts hall)

Pagoda Forest

• Forest of Pagodas Yard (Chinese: 塔林院; pinyin: talinyuan): Built before 791. It has 240 tomb pagodas of different sizes. These pagodas are from the Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties (618–1911).

Gallery

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  A mural painting in the temple (early 19th century)

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  Shaolin Monastery Stele on Mount Song (皇唐嵩岳少林寺碑), put up in 728 AD

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  A tree at Shaolin Monastery used by monks to practice finger-punching

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  The Pagoda forest (wide view)

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  The Pagoda forest (close view), about 300 meters (984 ft) west of the Shaolin Monastery

See also

In Spanish: Shaolin para niños

• Shaolin Temple UK
• Bayon- Buddhist temple showing martial arts carvings
• Angkor Wat- Buddhist–Hindu temple showing martial arts carvings