Kung Fu

Kung Fu is a Cantonese term which literally translates as "hard work" and has come to mean martial arts. In China, the more common term for martial arts is wu shu. http://filer.case.edu/org/casekungfu/kungfu.html Kung Fu is believed to have its origins within the Chan Buddhist Shaolin tradition, beginning with the influence of Bodhidharma, who came from India during the 6th century CE at the Hunan Temple on Mount Song near Zengshou. http://hubpages.com/hub/Shaolin-Lohan-Pai Some believe that the Bodhidharma brought with him skills in martial arts from what is now called the Kalari Payut martial art in India.http://www.linonsroar.name/indian_kalari_martial_arts.htm However, it is known that two Shaolin monks, Huiguang and Sengchou, were practicing martial arts prior to the arrival of Bodhidharma.Canzonieri, Salvatore.1998. History of Chinese Martial arts: Jin Dynasty to the Period of Disunity. Han Wei Wushu Prior to Bodhidharma, in the 5th century CE, the Indian warrior and monk Buddhabhadra (Batuo) and his disciples established the Shaolin monastery in Hunan. http://www.shaolin.com.au/history.htm Two other Shaolin Temples were build by the end of the 7th century. Regarding the kung fu and Kalari Payut relationship, there are similarities in that they both have internal and external forms, a vital point discipline, and spiritual aspects.

There are tens of thousands of Kung Fu wushu forms, some of which are believed to be developed within the Shaolin tradition and the majority which developed outside of Shaolin influence. http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Kung_Fu Shaolin forms of Kung Fu use the 5 animal forms (dragon, tiger, crane, snake and leopard). Kicking, ground-fighting, acrobatics and long-range fighting techniques are a specialty of Northern Shaolin, while hand techniques excel in the Southern Shaolin tradition. http://www.gaffierokungfu.org/kungfu.htm/ref

This style is believed to have originated after the destruction of the Southern Shaolin and its associated temples during the Qing (pure) reign, which began in 1644. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/qing_1/hd_qing_1.htm Legends are that it was taught by a female Shaolin monk, Ng. Mui, who is thought to be the founder of the White Crane style. She taught this form to Yim and Fong Wing Chun. The form was given the name "Siu Lim Tao." http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/14478-fong-sai-yuk-hong-hei-goon-wing-chun/ This early form of Wing Chun style used short direct movements to eliminate the waste of energy and to increase the speed for counterattacking. The training included wooden dummies and chi sao (sticky hand) methods. http://www.shaolin-society.co.uk/History_of_Gung-Fu/Wing_Chun/wing_chun.php