The Shaolin Temple was founded by visiting Indian monks to China long before Bodhidharma arrived (in 528 CE), Sitting and clearing the mind has always been the primary skill. However, many other temples and spiritual centres also combine seated meditation with “moving” meditation in the form of martial endeavour (it is even hinted at in the Book of Change). Although the Shaolin Temple is famous – it is in no way the only place martial arts are practiced for health and self-defence. Master Xu Yun changed the law in China by integrating the Vinaya Discipline with Chinese Secular Law. Failing to uphold the Vinaya Discipline is tantamount to breaking the law. What is happening to the former Head Monk of Shaolin – Shi Yongxin – is entirely due to the legal reforms that Xu Yun initiated in the early 1950s as a means to protect China from going down the Japanese path of abandoning the upholding of the Vinaya Discipline. The above translation (click picture link) gives all the recent developments in this fascinating case.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 