The history of Martial Arts as we know it today can be taken back to the continent of Africa.  It is said that Martial Arts was created along the valley of the Nile River in Egypt to protect the tombs of the pharaohs about 4000 B.C.   

Unfortunately there are not any detailed writings concerning the origin of Martial Arts in Africa, therefore we are going to have to continue on to the continent of India.

 Martial Arts was commonly practiced by the Kshatriya or warrior class of that time and can be compared to the Japanese Samurai, Medieval Knights of Europe.

It is said that the third child of King Sugandha of southern India was a member of the Kshatriya of the warrior caste.  However, after a few years he was led by the spirit to a small but dynamic Buddhist province south of Madres.  He received his religious training from the Dhyana of Master Prajnatara. Under the master’s guidance, the boy grew into a very wise man and advanced in the way of the Dhyana or Buddhist practice.  Eventually he was given the name Bodhidharman.

After his master’s death, Bodhidharman traveled to China, where he taught.  His life was centered around that Shaolin Temple and Monastery located in Honan Province.  Tradition states that upon seeing the lazy and weak condition of the monks, Bodhidharman instructed them in physical exercise to condition their bodies as well as their mind.  The exercise was called ”Eighteen Hands of the Lo-Han”.  This exercise also included breathing.  He knew that this physical activity was a means of body hygiene.  Eventually the monks began to study the animals and form exercises that resembled their ways of fighting.  Later it was known as Chuan-Fa, “The Art Of The Physical Conditioning”, and finally “Self-Defense”.

During the Sui Period (589-618 A.D.), Bandits began to raid the monastery for the purpose of food and anything of value.  At this time the monks, in order to protect their lives and their beloved monastery, utilized their Chuan-Fa Art and defeated the bandits.  The reputation of the Shaolin Fighting Monks spread.  From this point on many came to

study the art along with the Buddhism. 

Today there are hundreds of styles and of course the philosophy has changed somewhat, depending on the personality of the Headmaster (Instructor) of the style.

 

 

 

To Be Continued