Shaolin Philosophy and Chan Buddhism

Shaolin philosophy is based on Cha’an Buddhism, as taught by Bodhidharma. However, it is has also been infused with Taoist ideas, over time, and is now an amalgamation of the two. In fact, when Sanskrit texts of Buddhist doctrine were first being translated into Chinese, translators adaped the conceptual vocabulary of Taoism to explain Buddhist ideas, so that Chinese Buddhism was colored by Taoism from its earliest appearance. Philosophy and religion are fairly separate for Shaolin practictioners; Shaolin is not “religious” in the sense of belief in deities, and in fact many contemporary Shaolin masters express the opinion that people from any religious background can study and integrate Shaolin concepts.

From Buddhism, Shaolin philosophy takes its guiding principle of enlightenment through meditation and self-examination. As in Indian yogic practices, the preparation for meditation is movement, and the basis of movement is “ch’i,” translated as “life-force” or “breath.” Shaolin meditation and kung fu, like Buddhist meditation and yoga, are meant to calm the mind and strengthen the body.

Taoist thought, which sees natural harmony as a model, is based on the dynamic balance of energies. In keeping with this concept of natural correspondence, Taoist martial arts categorize movements based on the type of animal they resemble (as does Shaolin kung fu). Both philosophies describe martial arts as non-aggressive acts; it is a question of returning the attacker’s hostile energy to him or her, without being injured by it. Whereas Taoism teaches dualism and opposition of energies, however, Shaolin philosophy tends to emphasize integration and fluidity.

Shaolin monks in the modern world continue to adhere to a strict discipline of training and simplicity—with the addition of email, airplanes, DVDs, etc.—but it is in the interest of purity, conscious living, and self-awareness. Self-denial and punishment are not explicitly part of Shaolin philosophy. In fact, during the Sui dynasty (581-618), a group of Shaolin monks who had rescued the Emperor Li were granted the exceptional right to eat meat and drink wine. Still, in general, contemporary Shaolin monks are celibate, abstain from drinking, shave their heads, and live without luxuries.