Henan: Shaollin Temple, Sep 2024

Shaolin Temple (少林寺), about 90 mins from Luoyang in Dengfeng County, Henan, is known to be the birthplace of Chan or Zen Buddhism (禅) and the cradle of Shaolin Kung Fu.  Situated at the base of Wuru Peak of Songshan Mountain, the temple was established by the Xiaowen Emperor of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD).  Legend has it that Bodhidharma or Damo, the 28th patriarch of Mahayana Buddhism in India, came to Shaolin Temple in 527 and after meditating for 9 years in a cave, he initiated the Chinese Zen tradition at Shaolin Temple.  The main pillars of Shaolin culture are Zen Buddhism, martial arts, Buddhist art, and traditional Chinese medicine.  The UNESCO temple is known worldwide for its Shaolin Kung Fu that has been portrayed in many films and TV series and the monks here are devoted to develop and perfect the blending of Zen Buddhism principles with martial arts.  During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the martial monks of Shaolin Temple aided Emperor Li Shimin’s army in defeating enemy forces.  Not only can you witness the Kung Fu performances in the Marital Hall, you can also stay and join the Kung Fu Academy of Shaolin Temple for some training lessons.

Shaolin Temple

 

Shaolin Temple

Entrance to Shaolin Temple

Shaolin Temple is unfortunately largely rebuilt as it has been a frequent target of war.  It was last torched in 1928 and many buildings such as the main Daxiong Hall were reconstructed in 1985.  The temple follows the traditional Chinese temple architecture where the main halls are aligned along a central axis.  First is the Shanmen Hall with the tablet “Shaolin Temple” inscribed by the Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi (1622-1723).  Next is the Hall of Heavenly Kings (天王殿) with the Four Heavenly Kings who are responsible for helping the troubled and blessing the people.  Then it is the Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿), dedicated to the veneration of the Buddha, where important celebrations and regular prayers are held.  On the ground are these depressions about 20cm deep that are said to be footprints left by the monks practicing their stance work.  Other halls are the Abbot’s Room (方丈), serving as the residence of the temple’s leader, the serene Lixue Hall (立雪亭), and the majestic Thousand-Buddha Hall (千佛殿), and Bell and Drum Towers.  

Shaolin Temple

 

Shaolin Temple

 

Legend has it that the second ancestor Hui Ke asked Bodhidharma when he can become his disciple, Bodhidharma replied casually that when it snows red, he will accept him.  Lixue Pavilion was where on a snowy winter day, Hui Ke stood in the snow and severed his left arm in order to dye the snow red.

 

Shaolin Temple

 

Shaolin Temple

 

Shaolin Temple

 

Shaolin Temple

 

Wall painting of Bodhidharma inside the Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿), dedicated to the veneration of the Buddha, where important celebrations and regular prayers are held.

 

On the ground of the Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿) are these depressions about 20cm deep that are said to be footprints left by the monks practicing their stance work.

Shaolin Temple

Kung Fu Show performed by the authentic monks of Shaolin Temple within the temple area.

 

There is a Pagoda Forest here with about 230 ancient pagodas each serving as the final resting place for monks of the temple.  When a revered monk passed away, his remains would be interred within an underground palace, upon which a pagoda would be constructed.  The height, size, and number of layers of the pagoda were determined by the monk’s status, attainment, merits, and virtues accumulated during his lifetime.  There are pagodas from various dynasties here, including two from the Tang Dynasty, 2 from the Song Dynasty, spanning all the way to the Qing Dynasty.