How to learn kung fu at the shaolin temple?

Question

I've seen documentaries with foreigners learning kung fu at the shaolin temple in China. Does anyone know how to sign up? I've been looking into avenues, but so far no luck.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Well, while I may not be as eloquent as "s***n Breath", he is correct for the most part.

"Real" Shaolin monks left the country at the onset of Communism, as much of it goes against their religious beliefs as far as dealing with the government. I know it sounds odd, but many genuine monks went west to areas of North and South America. The "monks" you see at the temples in China these days are great martial artists and acrobats, but they are actors sanctioned by the government to draw in revenue from tourists and the naive. In fact, in order to quell any potential uprising to the government that has been seen in much of China's rich history, Chairman Mao essentially made any true form of martial art illegal and created "Wushu", which is more acrobatic and artsy and tends to lack any actual application.

If I were you, I would pick up a book you can find at nearly any book store for further information. It is called "The Shaolin Grandmasters' Text". Here is a link: http://www.amazon.com/Shaolin-Grandmaste...

It further explains that Buddhism is of first and foremost importance to the order of Shaolin, with martial arts being a distant second.

Good luck in finding what you seek.