Shaolin Kung Fu

Shaolin Kung Fu (Chinese: 少林功夫; pinyin: Shàolín gōngfu), also called Shaolin Wushu (少林武術; Shàolín wǔshù), is among the oldest institutionalized styles of Chinese martial arts. Known in Chinese as Shaolinquan (Chinese: 少林拳; pinyin: Shàolínquán) or Shaolin wugong (Chinese: 少林武功; pinyin: Shàolín wǔgōng), it originated and was developed in the Buddhist Shaolin temple in Henan province, China. During the 1500 years of its development, Shaolin kung fu, with its rich content, became one of the largest schools of kung fu. The name Shaolin is also used as a brand for the so-called external styles of kung fu. Many styles in southern and northern China use the name Shaolin.

History

Chinese martial arts before Shaolin temple

Chinese historical records, like Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue, the Bibliographies in the Book of the Han Dynasty, the Records of the Grand Historian, and other sources document the existence of martial arts in China for thousands of years. For example, the Chinese martial art of wrestling, Shuai Jiao, predates the establishment of Shaolin temple by several centuries. Since Chinese monasteries were large landed estates, sources of considerable regular income, monks required protection. Historical discoveries indicate that, even before the establishment of Shaolin temple, monks have had arms and have also practiced martial arts. The establishment of Shaolin kung fu is, however, the most important one of these stories. In 1784 the Boxing Classic: Essential Boxing Methods made the earliest extant reference to the Shaolin Monastery as Chinese boxing's place of origin. This is, however, a misconception, but shows the historical importance of Shaolin kung fu.

English language

English is a West Germanic language that was first spoken in early medieval England and is now a global lingua franca. It is an official language of almost 60 sovereign states, the most commonly spoken language in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, and a widely spoken language in countries in the Caribbean, Africa, and South Asia. It is the third most common native language in the world, after Mandarin and Spanish. It is the most widely learned second language and is an official language of the United Nations, of the European Union, and of many other world and regional international organisations.

English has developed over the course of more than 1,400 years. The earliest forms of English, a set of Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlers in the fifth century, are called Old English. Middle English began in the late 11th century with the Norman conquest of England.Early Modern English began in the late 15th century with the introduction of the printing press to London and the King James Bible as well as the Great Vowel Shift. Through the worldwide influence of the British Empire, modern English spread around the world from the 17th to mid-20th centuries. Through all types of printed and electronic media, as well as the emergence of the United States as a global superpower, English has become the leading language of international discourse and the lingua franca in many regions and in professional contexts such as science, navigation, and law.

Kung fu (term)

Kung fu/Kungfu or Gung fu/Gongfu (i/ˌkʌŋˈf/ or /ˌkʊŋˈf/; 功夫, Pinyin: gōngfu) is a Chinese term referring to any study, learning, or practice that requires patience, energy, and time to complete. In its original meaning, kung fu can refer to any discipline or skill achieved through hard work and practice, not necessarily martial arts. The Chinese literal equivalent of "Chinese martial art" would be 中国武术 zhōngguó wǔshù.

It is only in the late twentieth century, that this term was used in relation to Chinese martial arts by the Chinese community. In the Western popular culture, The term "Kung fu" is often erroneously used as an umbrella term when specifically referring to Chinese martial arts. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the term "kung-fu" as "a primarily unarmed Chinese martial art resembling karate." This illustrates how the meaning of this term has been changed in English. The origin of this change can be attributed to the misunderstanding or mistranslation of the term through movie subtitles or dubbing.

Kung Fu (TV series)

Kung Fu is an American action-adventure martial arts western drama television series starring David Carradine. The series aired on ABC from October 1972 to April 1975 for a total of 63 episodes. Kung Fu was preceded by a full-length feature television pilot, an ABC Movie of the Week, which was broadcast on February 22, 1972. The series became one of the most popular television programs of the early 1970s, receiving widespread critical acclaim and commercial success upon its release.

Kung Fu was created by Ed Spielman, directed and produced by Jerry Thorpe, and developed by Herman Miller, who was also a writer for, and co-producer of, the series.

The series follows the adventures of Kwai Chang Caine (portrayed by David Carradine as an adult, Keith Carradine as a teenager, and Radames Pera as a young boy), a Shaolin monk who travels through the American Old West armed only with his spiritual training and his skill in martial arts, as he seeks Danny Caine, his half-brother. Many of the aphorisms used in the series are adapted from or derived directly from the Tao Te Ching, a book of ancient Taoist philosophy attributed to the sage Lao-tzu.

Podcasts:

PLAYLIST TIME:

Kung Fu

by: Ash

Kung Fu do what you do to me
I haven't been the same since my teenage lobotomy
Full on, I moved to Hong Kong
With Bruce Lee's brother and Johnny Wong
I think it's strange
He's friends with Fu Manchu
And he thinks he knows you
Uh uh uh uh uh oh
Oh Daniel San made in Taiwan
Come on Jackie Chan
Uh uh uh uh uh oh
Last night Jackie Chan came around
I played pool with him and we hung out
Mr. Miagi and the X-men
Called in for a while as well
I think it's strange
He's friends with Fu Manchu
And he thinks he knows you
Uh uh uh uh uh oh
Oh Daniel San made in Taiwan
Come on Jackie Chan
Uh uh uh uh uh oh
Gary Glitter!
Scooby Doo!
Rock McMurray!
And last but not least
Ladies and gentleman
I give you...
JOHNNY WONG!
Kung Fu do what you do to me
I can't live without my Kung Fu movies
'Shanghai Killers' and 'Deadly Road'
My life was ruined when the Green Dragon closed
Oh I think it's strange
He's friends with Fu Manchu
And he thinks he knows you
Uh uh uh uh uh oh
Oh Daniel San made in Taiwan
Come on Jackie Chan
Uh uh uh uh uh oh
I think it's strange
He's friends with Fu Manchu
And he's in love with you
Uh uh uh uh uh oh
Oh Daniel San made in Taiwan
Come on Jackie Chan




Latest News for: shaolin kung fu

Kung fu master from Cameroon wants Chinese culture to 'light up' lives

China.dot.org 31 Mar 2025
Fabrice Mba's passion for Chinese culture and martial arts budded in the southern Cameroon town of Sangmelima, where he grew up watching kung fu movies ... "I discovered kung fu and Chinese culture ... He also teaches kung fu in several schools.

(Hello Africa) The story of a Cameroonian kung fu master: "Let Chinese culture light up your life"

Beijing News 25 Mar 2025
Fabrice Mba teaches students kung fu in Soa, Cameroon, on Feb ... Fabrice Mba's passion for Chinese culture in general and martial arts in particular budded in Cameroon's southern town of Sangmelima, where he grew up watching kung fu movies.

Feature: The story of a Cameroonian kung fu master: "Let Chinese culture light up your life"

Xinhua 25 Mar 2025
YAOUNDE, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Fabrice Mba's passion for Chinese culture in general and martial arts in particular budded in Cameroon's southern town of Sangmelima, where he grew up watching kung fu movies ... "I discovered kung fu and Chinese culture.

The story of a Cameroonian kung fu master

The Peninsula 24 Mar 2025
Fabrice Mba's passion for Chinese culture in general and martial arts in particular budded in Cameroon's southern town of Sangmelima, where he grew up watching kung fu movies ... "I discovered kung fu and Chinese culture.

Bruce Lee statue in San Francisco to honor ‘a story for all Americans’

The Observer 23 Mar 2025
In an era when it was typical for white actors to portray Asian characters by donning prosthetics and slanted-eye makeup, Lee lost out on major roles, one of which was a Shaolin monk in Kung Fu, which cast white actor David Carradine over him.

"Gate of Nine Dragons: Searching for Kung Fu" screened at PECB auditorium

Urdu Point 22 Mar 2025
Searching for Kung Fu" produced by Laurence Brahm was screened ... On special request from the Karate Association of China, he directed a documentary tracing the origins of Karate to Shaolin Kung Fu.

Watch: Kung Fu girl group brings fresh twist to ancient Chinese art

Gulf News 14 Mar 2025
Still, a cohort of Generation Z women like Duan is challenging that assumption and generating publicity for their particular kung fu school ... However, it has not achieved the same level of public fame as other kung fu schools, such as Shaolin.

Kung fu girls put fresh spin on ancient Chinese art

Khaleejtimes 13 Mar 2025
But it has not achieved the same level of public fame as other kung fu schools like Shaolin ... Kung fu master Wang Chao, a national-level representative of Emei martial arts, said the sect still relies heavily on government money.

Kung fu girl group puts fresh spin on martial art

Taipei Times 12 Mar 2025
... Sichuan Province is thought to have historically welcomed a higher proportion of women and girls, but it has not achieved the same level of public fame as other kung fu schools, such as Shaolin.
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