Comments on: The Man Who Made Shaolin

By: Sifu Anthony Korahais

Sifu Anthony Korahais — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 12:35:39 +0000

In reply to Ripper.

Hi “Ripper”. You have an interesting view of history for sure.

Did you even read the article?

I didn’t say that Bodhidharma created kung fu. In fact, I said this: “Actually, Bodhidharma never taught Shaolin Kung Fu. He’s widely recognized as the 1st patriarch of Shaolin Kung Fu because the arts that he taught provided the foundation and the inspiration.”

Hua Tuo created the Five Animal Play (Wu Qin Xi), not the Five Animals of Shaolin Kung Fu. The Shaolin Five Animals came much later.

As for the Yijin Jing, I don’t agree with your assessment.

By: Ripper

Ripper — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 20:47:07 +0000

Bodhidharma did not create kung fu. Huo Tuo’s five animal styles of shaolin kung fu predate Bodhidharma by 400 years. Kung fu can literally be traced all the way back to 2500 BC to the xia dynasty. Bodhidharma’s kung fu myth is attributed to the Yijin Jing which is a 17th century fictional qigong manual. Bodhi was not even a martial artist.

By: Sifu Anthony Korahais

Sifu Anthony Korahais — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 17:33:43 +0000

In reply to Scott Pen.

Hi Scott. I’m not sure that all scholars agree that qigong dates back to 7000 BCE. Personally, I think it’s possible, but I’m not sure that the evidence is conclusive one way or another.

As for the Yellow Emperor, I think he’s viewed more as the “father” of Chinese Medicine than qigong per se. And whether or not he was a real figure or a composite one created from legends, is another issue for the scholars to debate.

Similarly, I don’t personally think that Bodhidharma cut off his own eyelids. That’s poetic license, just like the legend of him crossing the river on a reed.

As a teacher, I don’t encourage anyone to swallow anything wholesale. In the case of the qigong that I teach, the story of Bodhidharma is not really important. In fact, I would guess that many of my students don’t even know it. And yet, they still get amazing benefits from practicing qigong.

And for that, we’ve got plenty of evidence: https://flowingzen.mykajabi.com/p/13-proven-benefits-of-qigong-and-tai-chi

By: Scott Pen

Scott Pen — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 15:46:08 +0000

OK so… there’s archeological evidence of an early form of qigong being practiced as early as 7000 BCE, and qigong is commonly attributed to a Chinese emperor from around 2500 BCE. Then comes Bodhidharma, who supposedly stumbled across a Buddhist temple in China around 400 AD, was appalled at the condition of the resident monastic community, and subsequently stared at a wall in a cave for 9 years in order to rectify the situation… somewhere along the way ripping off his own eyelids. Seems odd to me, but I guess you can’t argue with the results.

Then, another 1200 years later (1624) a manuscript of the Yin Ji Jing is written that states that Bodhidharma taught the monks how to exercise in order to facilitate proper Chan practice. The earliest known copy of this dates from 1827.

I’m not saying that all of this info isn’t true. But really, should anyone be encouraged to swallow this story wholesale when the entire story of Bodhidharma could just as easily be a hagiographic process?

By: Mark Good

Mark Good — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:29:48 +0000

Thanks For What YOU Do… I studied Kung Fu and The History of it years ago, really enjoyed your info on Bodhidarma ! Dealing with Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Knees & Back Pain !!! AND THIS STUFF WORKS / Cant get enough. You will be Blessed For The Good Things That You Do !( Mark Good Oklahoma City ) Send more Tai Chi & Qigong Videos !

By: Jeffrey Estrada

Jeffrey Estrada — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 03:38:09 +0000

What are the 13 yoga postures bodhi dharma made

By: Athul

Athul — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:06:23 +0000

Thank you Sifu for telling the world story of great Bodhidharma. As an Indian , im also very proud of him . Bodhidharma was the Pallava King who ruled Tamilanadu(in South India) centuries ago and that land is famous for great martial art Kalarippayattu , which spread to all over the lands of India.Its beleived that Kalarippayattu was developed either from Tamilnadu or Kerala(neighbouring state of Tamilnadu). 🙂

By: Athul

Athul — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 06:52:53 +0000

Thank you Sifu for telling the world story of great Bodhidharma . 🙂

By: Andy Cusick

Andy Cusick — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:29:00 +0000

Truly fantastic article, Sihing!

It really brings home just how important Bodhidharma was to, basically, the whole world!

It is also a wonderful tribute to our Sifu.

I hope you publish more of your insights – I keep a look out for every one of your articles here 🙂

Andy

By: Xavier Espinosa

Xavier Espinosa — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:37:42 +0000

Very clear and inspiring article!
Student of Shaolin Wahnam Ecuador