Shaolin.com Letters

We would like to express our thanks for all of the feedback we have received thus far.

In this section we will post letters that might be of interest to everyone. We will also use this forum to answer many of the questions we have received via feedback with the idea that many others might be interested or even have the same questions.

We will try to post a new letter and answer every week, with new content included in the answers.

 

Here are some feedbacks we have received over the years so far:

name=Ray
comments= "I already study Gung Fu but as you said the traditional Shaolin Gung Fu is nearly impossible to actually learn today, Should I consider it Shaolin Gung Fu or should I drop the Shaolin part of the name and just say I practice Gung Fu? Or should I say that the style I practice has Shaolin roots or what? I just want to be politically correct and not seem to be a fake."

response: Shaolin technique as it existed in the temples prior to their destruction is indeed difficult to come by, as it has been for the entire history of the temples. However, aspects of Shaolin gung fu have been taught outside the temples for hundreds of years, and to call the current generations of these styles Shaolin is not necessarily incorrect. Unfortunately, usage of the name Shaolin has commercial value, and many times is included for only that reason. It is important to remember that Shaolin is not just martial technique, but a path that includes martial technique as a part of its spiritual training. That may not answer the question clearly, but it is not a clear issue.

 

name=andy
comments="Your site is very enthralling!!!! I am starting kung fu tonight and hope to fight you soon."

response: Andy, we thank you for your compliment. We hope your class is going well!

 

name=Diego
comments="Your website is by far the best site I've seen that includes all the traditional southern Shaolin styles.
You should try to post up some pictures related to the stances and different techniques. All in all your website is great!"

response: Diego, thank you for your compliment and suggestion. We are currently working on graphic content including downloadable forms, so check back soon.

name=Mohammed
comments="Firstly, i would like to thank you for your site....
please suggest a style of martial art (shaolin perhaps) that is most
closely linked with the teaching of buddha. and thus promotes meditation, the 3 jewels etc...
i understand that you receive endless feedback, and i would be further on the road to nirvana with your help.
thank you"

response: Dear Mohammed,
Just remember in your search for Nirvana: "even desire for Nirvana causes suffering, for it is still desire." Any martial art you undertake can be molded to your Buddhist practice. Depending on what you have available, you may find some that are more amenable than others. We recommend any style that is taught with compassion, self discipline, and self discovery as its goals. Aikido is one of the more widely available styles that is consistently taught in a way that at least does not conflict with these goals.