Shaolin Order

Shaolin Order (simplified: 少林派, traditional: 少林派, pinyin: Shàolín Pài) is one of the most prestigious orthodox martial arts schools in the wulin, often mentioned alongside the Wudang School as the “Northern Shaolin, Southern Wudang” (北崇少林，南尊武当 – Běi Chóng Shàolín, Nán Zūn Wǔdāng). The order is known for combining Buddhist practice with martial arts training, following the principle of “Zen and martial arts as one” (禅武不二 – Chán Wǔ Bù Èr).

History

Foundation

The Shaolin Order traces its origins to the legendary Bodhidharma (达摩 – Dámó), who is said to have brought the foundational texts Tendon-trasmuting Sutra (易筋经 – Yìjīn Jīng) and Marrow Washing Classic (洗髓经 – Xǐsuǐ Jīng) from India. These texts became the basis for all subsequent Shaolin martial arts.

Development

The Shaolin Order developed as an orthodox martial arts school that emphasized both spiritual cultivation and martial training. The order’s martial arts are primarily external and hard-style techniques, focusing on hand-to-hand combat and staff techniques rather than weapons, in accordance with Buddhist principles of non-violence.

Organisation

Leadership structure

The Shaolin Order is led by an abbot (方丈 – Fāngzhàng) who oversees both spiritual and martial matters. The temple maintains a hierarchical structure with various departments:

Dharma Hall (达摩院 – Dámó Yuàn): Specializes in martial arts research
Arhat Hall (罗汉堂 – Luóhàn Táng): Handles external challenges and visitors
Discipline Hall (戒律院 – Jièlǜ Yuàn): Oversees discipline and rules
Scripture Repository (藏经阁 – Cángjīng Gé): Houses martial arts manuals and Buddhist texts

Generational naming

Shaolin monks follow generational naming conventions that vary by period:

Northern Song: “Ling, Xuan, Hui, Xu, Kong” (灵、玄、慧、虚、空)
Southern Song: “Ku, Tian” (苦、天)
Yuan Dynasty: “Du, Kong, Yuan, Hui, Fa, Xiang, Zhuang” (渡、空、圆、慧、法、相、庄)
Qing Dynasty: “Da, Jue, Guan, Hui, Cheng, Jing, Hua, Yan” (大、觉、观、晦、澄、净、华、严)

Martial arts

Seventy-two Supreme Arts

The Shaolin Order is famous for its Seventy-two Supreme Arts (少林七十二绝技 – Shàolín Qīshí’èr Juéjì), a comprehensive collection of martial techniques that includes:

Arhat Fist (罗汉拳 – Luóhàn Quán)
Iron Cloth Shirt (铁布衫 – Tiěbùshān)
Golden Bell Cover (金钟罩 – Jīnzhōngzhào)
Vajra Finger (金刚指 – Jīngāng Zhǐ)
One Finger Zen (一指禅 – Yīzhǐ Chán)

Core texts

The order’s martial arts are based on two fundamental texts:

Tendon-trasmuting Sutra (易筋经 – Yìjīn Jīng): Focuses on physical conditioning and strength development
Marrow Washing Classic (洗髓经 – Xǐsuǐ Jīng): Focuses on internal energy cultivation and spiritual purification

Notable members

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils

Sweeper Monk (扫地僧 – Sǎodì Sēng) - A mysterious monk in the Scripture Repository
Xuanci (玄慈 – Xuáncí) - Abbot, known as “Tiger Subduing Arhat” (伏虎罗汉 – Fúhǔ Luóhàn)
Xuanji (玄寂 – Xuánjì) - Discipline Hall Chief
Xuannan (玄难 – Xuánnàn) - Dharma Hall Chief
Xuanku (玄苦 – Xuánkǔ) - Qiao Feng’s martial arts master
Xuandu (玄渡 – Xuándù) - Senior monk
Xuantong (玄痛 – Xuántòng) - Senior monk
Xuanbei (玄悲 – Xuánbēi) - Senior monk

The Legend of the Condor Heroes

Tianming Chanshi (天鸣禅师 – Tiānmíng Chánshī) - Abbot
Wuse Chanshi (无色禅师 – Wúsè Chánshī) - Arhat Hall Chief

The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre

Jueyuan Dashi (觉远大师 – Juéyuǎn Dàshī) - Scripture Repository Guardian
Du’e (渡厄 – Dù’è) - Dharma Hall Elder
Dujie (渡劫 – Dùjié) - Dharma Hall Elder
Dunan (渡难 – Dùnán) - Dharma Hall Elder
Kongjian (空见 – Kōngjiàn) - One of the Four Divine Monks
Kongwen (空闻 – Kōngwén) - One of the Four Divine Monks
Kongzhi (空智 – Kōngzhì) - One of the Four Divine Monks
Kongxing (空性 – Kōngxìng) - One of the Four Divine Monks
Yuanzhen (圆真 – Yuánzhēn) - Also known as “Mixed Origin Thunder Hand” Cheng Kun

The Smiling, Proud Wanderer

Fangzheng (方证 – Fāngzhèng) - Abbot
Fangsheng (方生 – Fāngshēng) - Senior monk

The Deer and the Cauldron

Huicong Chanshi (晦聪禅师 – Huìcōng Chánshī) - Abbot
Chengguan (澄观 – Chéngguān) - Prajna Hall Chief

Locations

Shaolin Temple

The main temple is located on Mount Song (嵩山 – Sōngshān) in Henan Province. The temple complex includes:

Great Hero Hall (大雄宝殿 – Dàxióng Bǎodiàn): The core building
Discipline Hall (戒律院 – Jièlǜ Yuàn): Oversees discipline
Bodhi Hall (菩提院 – Pútí Yuàn): Houses the Muscle Tendon Changing Classic
Scripture Repository (藏经阁 – Cángjīng Gé): Houses the Seventy-two Supreme Arts manuals and Buddhist scriptures
Dharma Hall (达摩院 – Dámó Yuàn): Specializes in martial arts research
Arhat Hall (罗汉堂 – Luóhàn Táng): Handles external challenges
Prajna Hall (般若堂 – Bōrě Táng): Studies martial arts from other schools
Medicine King Hall (药王院 – Yàowáng Yuàn): Treats injuries
Skill Selection Building (选艺楼 – Xuǎnyì Lóu): Where disciples choose which of the Seventy-two Supreme Arts to study

Relationships

Orthodox alliance

The Shaolin Order maintains close relationships with other orthodox schools, particularly the Wudang School. Together, they are considered the “Taishan Beidou” (泰山北斗 – Tàishān Běidǒu) of the martial world, representing the highest standards of orthodox martial arts.

Conflict with heterodox schools

The order often finds itself in conflict with heterodox schools and evil factions, serving as a bastion of orthodox martial arts and Buddhist principles. The order’s reputation for justice and discipline makes it a target for those who oppose orthodox values.

Behind the scenes

The Shaolin Order represents one of Jin Yong’s most important contributions to wuxia literature, establishing the archetype of the orthodox Buddhist martial arts school. The order’s combination of spiritual practice and martial training reflects traditional Chinese values of moral cultivation alongside physical discipline.

The order’s generational naming system and organizational structure are based on historical Buddhist monastic traditions, while its martial arts system draws from both historical Shaolin practices and fictional developments. The Seventy-two Supreme Arts represent the pinnacle of orthodox martial arts in the wuxia universe, embodying the principle that true martial arts mastery requires both physical skill and spiritual cultivation.

The order’s role as a defender of orthodox values and its frequent conflicts with heterodox factions reflect traditional Chinese literary themes of good versus evil, while its emphasis on discipline and moral cultivation provides a counterpoint to the more individualistic and sometimes morally ambiguous protagonists of wuxia stories.

External links

Shaolin Monastery on Wikipedia
Shaolin Monastery (Chinese) on Chinese Wikipedia