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Figure 1-1: Small section of a mural

in one of the halls of the Shaolin Temple

in Henan Province

Semantics aside, the martial arts—by whatever name—are an integral part of Chinese culture and civilization. They have developed, as the civilization has, in accordance with the social, political, and technological forces of the Asian continent for more than 4,000 years.

The earliest roots of the martial arts are in the combat sports of the Han civilization along the Yellow River. But very quickly these sports also became sources of entertainment and health exercises, and the balance between military and “folk” wushu has varied over the centuries. In times of peace interest in the martial aspects waned, and soldiers left their profession, some joining acrobatic or operatic troupes or performing in the streets. During times of political upheaval, interest in the martial arts rebounded, as even farmers needed to defend themselves from bandits and outlaws.

Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are important components of wushu philosophy, and its connection with Buddhism has been pivotal. When Bodhidharma taught the Shaolin monks health-preserving exercises, he not only approved physical health as a necessary part of spiritual practice, but also irrevocably linked the two and established a location (the temple) to centralize the teaching, preservation, and advancement of these integrated wushu/kungfu techniques. Later, when the Manchus sacked and burned the temple, the monks and their fighting techniques were scattered, which led to the development of myriad styles of kungfu throughout Southeast Asia.