by Kenneth Myers

Created on: August 26, 2008

One could say that martial arts' began with the evolution of man. The early cave men chasing each other with wooden or bone clubs. In fact, wherever man was, there was sure to be confrontation, all of which required some form of thought out plan of attack. For this short article I will focus on the early history martial arts of Asia, and China in particular.

The whole concept of Kung Fu', which literally means energy and time is related to an individual's dedication to his craft, whether it be some type of talent (music, writing , etc), or skill (as in fighting, dancing, or playing sports). It's roots are in Chinese tradition, and no other society has supported a system of the martial arts like the Chinese. If a person is a respected individual in his craft, based on the many years that person devoted his/her time to it, they are said to have Kung Fu'.

An Indian Buddhist prince, Da Mo came to spend some time at the first Shaolin temple in Huo Nan province in 527 A.D.. When he saw many of the Shaolin monks were weak, and sickly, it is written that he locked himself in a room for nine years for meditation and to find ways to help the monks. When he emerged he wrote two books of techniques which he thought may be helpful. The monks took to practicing his ideas, but found one of the books exercise techniques to be quite strenuous if actually practiced continually. Years later, only one of Da Mo's books became the principle guide to help the monks achieve strength and internal power.

While developing themselves physically through the years, the Shaolin monks devised fighting techniques based on real and mythical animals to go along with their strength training. It was needed to defend themselves against bandits and other threats ( since many monks traveled the countryside helping people and preaching). Eventually, after all the trials and tribulations of the Shaolin temple ( various temple closings due to dynasty changes), many things came about. Although the monks became well respected for their morals, their helping others, and their fighting skills as compared to ordinary people', there were many incidents where renegade monks ran afoul of the Shaolin Way. These monks roamed the countryside killing, looting and teaching their skills to equally bad ordinary folk. On the other hand, many traveling good' monks taught ordinary people they thought to possess good moral character, as was the requirement to learn these martial skills. Many martial arts styles evolved

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