Code of Fighters and the Peaceful

The Shaolin Code is an ancient code of ethics taught to all Shaolin monks.  This code is great for a marital artist, but also great for a Buddhist.  With a little tweak of the words, it perfectly matches what every Buddhist should live by.  I'll give the original translation, then the "tweaked" version so you can see the connection for yourself.
Original:
Remain disciplined: uphold yourself ethically as a martial artist.
Courtesy and righteousness: serve the community and honor your family.
Respect your fellow students: be united and avoid conflicts.
Curb your desires and pursuit of bodily desires: preserve your proper spirit.
Train diligently and make it a habit: maintain your skills
Strive to develop spiritual tranquility: abstain from arguments and fights.
Coordinate in society: be conservative, cultured and gentle in your manners. 
Protect the weak and very young: use your martial skill for the good of humanity
Maintain the tradition: preserve this Chinese art and its Rules of Conducts. 

Now with a little adaptation to this code, here's how I believe it connects to Buddhism with only a little switch of the terms.
"Buddhist Version":
Remain disciplined: uphold yourself ethically as a Buddhist. (uphold the precepts)
Courtesy and Righteousness: Serve the community (Sangha and all beings) and honor your family (teachers/lineage)   
Respect your fellow students: be united and avoid conflicts (not much else needs to be changed here- learn from each other and keep an open mind)
Curb your desires and pursuit of bodily pleasures: preserve your proper spirit (again, not much needs changing here- keep the precepts and preserve your path of the Way)
Train diligently and make it a habit: maintain your skills (Continue your practice and meditation regularly, make it a part of you)
Strive to develop spiritual tranquility: abstain from arguments and fights. (Keep a tranquil mind and practice compassion)
Coordinate in society: be conservative, cultured and gentle in your manners. (Compassion again plays a major role here, also, teach people on their various levels)
Protect the weak and very young: use your martial skill for the good of humanity  (The practice is Buddhism is for all beings, we don't only practice for ourselves)
Maintain the tradition: preserve this Chinese art and its Rules of Conducts. (Teach those who do not know the Way and uphold its precepts diligently)

Gassho

Martial Arts, Buddhism, and Violence

Many associate martial artists with being violent.  This is so untrue.  True martial arts is a practice of self discipline and control.  As always, a true warrior can make a friend of an enemy.

So why would a peaceful Buddhist want to practice martial arts?  Well, there are a many factors.  Martial arts is a great way of teaching oneself self discipline, and training the mind.  When training the body, we also train the mind. Constantly focusing and being mindful of the body has many benefits not only in a martial aspect, but also of health.  The ultimate goal is achieving 'No-Mind."  Zen or mushin.

Martial arts, at an advanced level, incorporates the involvement of Qi or Ki.  The energy believed to be within us all, that also binds us all together.  Martial arts is an excellent way of focusing Qi (Chi), into various parts of the body for healing, balance, and strength. Being mindful of our bodies and our Qi gives us better communication with that "inner self," as well as others.


As far as action movies loaded with lots of violence, even involving martial arts, I'm not a fan.  Though I do collect rare Martial Arts movies from China and Japan, I tend to stick with the ones that have a good moral message or a message about training.

It is my hope that folks don't associate martial artists as violent people, (the ones who truly practic The Way), but rather as peaceful people who know when to act upon a situation when called for. Whether it be something as small as making a decision, or as important as saving your life.

Martial Motivation

One of the best benefits I have gained from practicing martial arts is self motivation.  I'll be honest, in my early 20s, I hated working.  I called in all the time, didn't show up at all...you get the idea.

But since my martial training has become more serious in the last few years, I always find myself "testing myself, " to push through that laziness or lack of motivation.   And it really has paid off.  My current job is physically demanding.  Plus it's helping me with strength training, building muscle, and I'm secluded, so techniques can be practiced on my downtime. ;)

But why would practicing martial arts make you more self motivated?  Self Discipline. A true martial artist doesn't just practice when he's at the "dojo."  He tempers his mind and body daily, at every chance possible.  Whether it's against the rigors of daily life, the heavy bag, shadow boxing, or real confrontations (mental and physical).

The discipline of motivation doesn't only apply to work either.  It applies to the training itself, to the home, the family, anything really.  If one looks deep enough, virtually any activity can be used to train oneself, be it physically or mentally.  There are no waves without a wind.


The following video is of Shaolin monks training in a variety of techniques.  Enjoy.  Amituofo.

The Many Manifestations of Kung Fu

I'm currently reading The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu, which I am enjoying throughly.  It gives a great background the the many forms of Kung Fu, or more respectively known as, quanfa, (q=ch, as in chanfa, art of the fist).  The book reminds me of a philosophy I once learned before.

Many people associate Kung Fu with high kicks, forms imitating animal behavior and two-finger handstands, though that's not at all what Kung Fu is about.  In fact, Kung Fu is almost a double standard.  When you tell people you "know Kung Fu" they will either ridicule you or think you can break bricks with your hands, though it's usually the former.

Many also associate Kung Fu with games like Mortal Kombat or Jackie Chan movies.  Though Jackie Chan is a master of Northern styles, there are over 1,000 styles of the art originating in China, differing from family traditions to regional traditions.  All of the forms of Quanfa have their origins from the Shaolin Monastery.

So, what really is Kung Fu?  Directly translated from Chinese, it means "perfection." Perfection of what? Perfection of you!  Kung Fu is more of a philosophy which derived from a martial art.

From your thoughts, your actions, to your relationships, Kung Fu is not just about punches, kicks, and back-flips.  It's a way of life, no different from the Japanese Bushido (Way of the Samurai).  Its philosophies derive from Buddhist and Taoist scriptures, and are in fact, very intertwined.

(And please don't assume all Buddhists or Taoists are martial artists and vise versa)

But why would a Buddhist or Taoist want to harm another through martial arts?  We don't want to.  Does a thorn from a rose not protect itself from those who want its blossom?  One of the laws of Shaolin monks is to NEVER kill.  We as humans can defend ourselves, but should never kill.  Martial arts are to be used to cease or subdue conflict, to bring peace.  The other reason of practicing the art is one of self preservation and self discipline.  Kung Fu is beneficial to health, longevity, cultivating Chi, and moral behavior.

Technically, you don't even have to be a martial artist to practice literal "Kung Fu."  Kung Fu can be in the writer, the painter, or the car mechanic.  It's ultimately about perfecting what you do and how you do it.  The martial artist, then, technically practices Quanfa, while utilizing the philosophy of Kung Fu.

So now you know the true meaning of Kung Fu/Gung Fu.  Below is a great interview with legendary Bruce Lee discussing some of these points: