The Temple for fighting monks and cradle of Kung Fu - Shaolin Temple
The ancient monastery is recognized as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin monk warriors.
The temple was built in 495, the 19th year of the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei dynasty.
It is located in Henan province, China and was founded in 495 by a wandering monk from India known as Bodhi dharma.
Legend has it that, during the latter half of the 19th century, there existed a man named Tai Djin, who was labeled Langren (werewolf) of Shaolin.
In 1928, Shi Youcan set fire to the temple causing it to burn for 40 days, destroying most of the temple structure.
The warlord captured the Shaolin monks and publicly flogged and paraded them through the streets as people threw trash at them. The monks were jailed and later executed at his commands.
The Shaolin temple is famously associated with Kung Fu martial art and it’s no surprise the monks were famous throughout Ming china for their specialized and highly effective Kung Fu.
According to Gorge Lucas, the monks of the temple inspired him during the creation of stars, especially with the Jedi knights.
The jieba is a sacred mark placed on a monk by his master, a sign indicating he has completed his training.
Shaolin wasn’t the only order of martial arts wielding monastery
The temple’s reputation went down a drain when Shaolin monks were accused of teaching the boxers martial arts and betraying their beliefs of non-violence.