Chan is a school of Mahayana Buddhism, also known as Zen (Japanese). This word is derived from the Sanskrit “dhyana”, which means "meditation". The Shaolin Temple is considered the ancestral home of Chan Buddhism since Chan Buddhism was established by South Indian monk Damo(菩提达摩；Bodhidharma) during his nine-year meditation in a cave on Mount Wuru(五乳峰) behind the temple around 527 AD. Damo is recorded as having come to China to teach “a special transmission outside scriptures” which did “not stand upon words”.
Chan is also thought to have developed as an amalgam of various currents in Mahayana Buddhist thought and of local traditions in China. As the center of Chan Buddhism, the Shaolin Temple attracted many emperors’ attention in China’s history. The Empress Wu Zetian(武则天；625-705) paid several visits to the Shaolin Temple discussing Chan philosophy with high monk Tan Zong (昙宗和尚); the founder of Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan(忽必烈；1215-1294) ordered all Buddhist temples in China to be led by the Shaolin Temple; there were eight Princes during Ming Dynasty turned themselves into Shaolin monks.
The Shaolin Monastery is recognized as the originating site of the Shaolin GungFu. Shaolin GungFu was refers specifically to a martial art system developed within the Shaolin Monastery of the SungShan mountain. It was established within the Buddhist culture and rooted deeply in the spiritual nature of Buddhism. It also reflects fully the inner wisdom of Chan Buddhism. The traditional cultural system in manifested through the martial arts demonstrations by the monks from the Shaolin monastery. The system has three characteristics, a complete fighting system, the sole heir of the unique Buddhist culture and the seeker and preserver of the indomitable Shaolin spirit.
As a result, Shaolin GungFu is considered one of the top Chinese martial art styles because of its long history and it is fully developed training program according to the records handed down in the Shaolin Monastery, there are 708 Shaolin GungFu sets in existence, out of which, 552 sets are designed for fist methods and various weapon. The remaining 156 sets cover 72 secret techniques and training methods for grappling, free fighting, joint locking, attacking acupuncture points and Qigong.
The physical manifestation of Shaolin KungFu centers on using the may confront in combat. Each set contains a series of movements which are based on the human anatomy and natural movements of the body. The movements within each set emphasize the mixing of action and repose, balancing of Yin and Yang energies, combining soft and hard movements, and exhibiting one’s spirit of vitality in the postures. Among the movements principles, the most important one is the ‘The Six Coordinations.’ They are ; the coordination of one’s hands with the feet, one’s knees with the elbows, one’s shoulders with the hips, one’s mind with the intent, one’s intent with Qi, and one’s Qi with the physical strength. Training involves not only the training of one’ state of mind, but also one’s whole body, which covers the hands, eyes, body, footwork, and the knowledge in martial applications, so that they will act as one, naturally and effortlessly.
As an indispensable part of Shaolin Culture, Shaolin Medicine offers herbal remedies and traditional Chinese therapy such as acupuncture. The origin of Shaolin medicine is from Damo as well. When he the monks were weak after meditation, he began collecting folk remedies to help them. These treatments were developed across successive dynasties, peaking in the Ming Dynasty. The Shaolin Medicine Center was established around 1217 AD in the Buddhist spirit of “Mercy”. In the Ming Dynasty, the Shaolin Medicine Center was expanded and strengthened for disciples, believers, followers and the poor. This merit has been passed down from that time on. In 2004, Abbot Shi Yong Xin revived the Shaolin Medicine Center and the ancient Shaolin Medicine is given a new life in the modern era.