Growing Up As A Shaolin Monk | Inside China: Kung Fu
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มี.ค. 2021
- It’s the birthplace of kung fu and Zen Buddhism. Home to an ancient sect of warrior monks. The thousand-year-old legend that is Shaolin Temple. They’ve survived battling warlords and the wars and upheavals of the twentieth century but will fists and faith be enough to ensure Shaolin survives the grip of modernisation? Or will a corporate face lift change Shaolin forever? Get ready as a new generation of monks train for the fight of their lives…
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From "Inside China: Kung Fu"
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If you ever have the chance to sit with a Shaolin Monk or a Buddhist Monk, take it! I promise you won’t regret it. The peaceful nature and dedication they have is palpable.
agree
That's certainly not always the case... watch " Thailand's Tainted Robes " if you're willing to take off the rose-tinted glasses.
@@pauljohn3230 that’s thai not china
@@guardian6975 What's your point ? Buddhism is not exclusive to China.
Yes, I used Thailand as an example to show that Buddhist monks are not necessarily a paragon of virtue.
So, what say you ? Are you so naive as to claim that all Buddhist monks in China are above reproach ?
It's typical of a westerner that spent a few months in Asia, to imagine they've found something special...
As a Chinese, I don't like them developing the Buddhist holy land of Shaolin Temple into a commercial place.
as a mongolian buddhist stfu thats all you do
How are you able to use youtube isn't TH-cam banned in china?
@@saimasayyed8007 there is a tool called vpn bro
I think the temple has another zone that separate from training zone which is not allow anyone go inside but only monks who really devoted themselves
@@saimasayyed8007 Maybe he is from Hong Kong 🤔
As a Chinese, I feel as long as the tradition and history is preserved, commercializing it is a good way to advertise and promote the practice to keep it going. If the practice was kept away from the world, then it would die out as the world modernizes. The history is too rich to let it die, you can still preserve your culture while modernizing it.
Are you from the USA ?
I totally agree!
Monk.
I was going to say something about them keeping it traditional but you do make a good point
É linda essa prática, gostei de ter visto essa tradição preservada.
The little shaolin monk boy you see flipping at 18:05 is now all grown up now and is my current shifu! AMAZING! I feel so honoured 🤩🤩
😎🤩🌟💫
I think the appeal of Shaolin is undeniable. I think it encourages the benefits of meditation. It demonstrates that hard work is the most reliable path to success. Shaolin contradicts no religion, apposes no government, strengthens character, self-discipline, and health, and in my opinion should be a worldwide practice.
I agree!!
Yeah
This is one of the best TH-cam videos I’ve seen about Shaolin monks.
As a former Kung Fu student in Manchester I love the way that shaolin are in the 21st century
I was so happy to see them teaching other things like skateboard and basketball. Not all the time but also a chance for kids to play. To practice their social skills in common world activities.
I think its beautiful and I never would have been aware of the temple or Kung Fu if it wasnt for the temple becoming more commercialized. Surely there can be a happy respectful medium while sharing such a beautiful history. Im very thankful to Shaolin for opening its doors to the public. 🙏🙏
They didn't have much a choice. The government highly "persuaded" the temple.
I am also an nepali but i have a immense interest in shaolin kungfu and follower of bodhidharma
I am sorry...but...I love kung-fu, the Shaolin Temple and Chinese people for all of the amazing things that Chinese martial arts have given us!
I highly respect and admire their discipline. They are super cool!
I am not Chinese but from my early teens have always appreciated Chinese culture, its martial arts, and Shaolin temple, so I concur with your sentiment.
absolutely one of the most beautiful things in the world. pure discipline
Alas a common man can now learn something from the real source.....Shaolin and Kungfu is a gift through China to the entire world,I appreciate the fact that they've now opened their door a little bit to the common man....
It's a shame that something so Chinese traditional had to become western commercialized.
Well they want to make more money! They knew what they were getting into.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to survive and it would be difficult to recruit students.Entering the film and television industry and becoming a Kung Fu star is the dream of these children
jack zhou I understand what the guy is saying, but if you're not open to change or adapt (i think adapt may be the best phrase) it's more likely than not, that an organization will eventually die out. This guy doesn't realize how much technology and commercialization is becoming a normal part of society. Just look at all these "social media influencers" that become famous for videoing their everyday lives. I know a lot of it is scripted but more and more companies are starting to follow the trend and we now see TH-cam, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc... having a lot of potential revenue for individuals who, do nothing but make videos and get paid A TON of money. These elders knew that this change was needed to obtain the revenue it takes to keep their tradition alive. Why would they let their culture die out, when they could open it up and make money from it, giving them publicity and potentially more recruits wanting to become a part of their team. Even if they don't make it to the team that performs, they still receive the money for their "tuition", whilst the individual, can not only state he was a part of their organization, but also receive memories and training from them. Why let something so great fade away because of your belief that "western commercialization" is such a bad change for your tradition, is what I would tell this original commentor.
agree
So as yoga has become business in western countries 🙄
Even the monks that don't make the Shaolin Team still have extraordinary feats of agility, speed, power, and coordination. Thank you.
And yet they can't seem to win a fight in mma
@@johnreidy2804 Only one Shaolin monk has ever quit and joined MMA and he's won most of his matches.
What are you talking about?
@blaze3668 I'm talking about 400,000 Kung Fu practitioners in the world and only one who fought mma and did fairly well
Get it now?
@@johnreidy2804 MMA is mixed martial arts, Kung Fu being a common supplemental style in MMA.
It's not a style that's often used entirely on it's own in MMA, many of the main moves being illegal.
There's still plenty of Kung Fu practitioners with wins under their belt in MMA though, it's a very respected style amongst trained fighters.
@blaze3668 Kung Fu on its own is ineffective in mma. Not unlike Karate or boxing. But we have had Karate champs. GSP, Machida, Wonder Boy. Yet no Kung Fu champs.
It could be Kung Fu is not easily translatable to mma. I'm not knocking. It's just that they should stick with fighting each other, not unlike boxing
Bye
They're so focused, something I wish I had.
Focus takes discipline,Discipline takes action,Action creates success...
Never too Late..
They remain celebate never marry or drink
Find a master around a local school, though than ask what are the 5 elements that make up combat. This weeds out the fakes very easy if they dont answer immeadiatly or at all.
It’s called adderall. You can thank me later
They will never be left behind. They are the humble leaders.
I studied shaolin in china for a year and made into the schools performance team. During my training all I heard everyday is "faster, stronger, more power, more, more, more power"!
Why did you stop
You got nowhere near the performance team after a year.
@@armwrestlingtheory2126 can't keep living in a dream... Had to return home and face reality. But the things I learned while there changed me even more once I returned and made me better today. No regrets. Would recommend to anyone both with and without martial arts experience. Take the chance and experience life. You'll love it. I promise you!
Sounds like this girl I once knew...hahaha!
The energy I get from watching this is super.
I’m Hispanic from nicaragua living in USA 25 years ago but since I was a kid I always admire the way this people train and fight for me is something amazing wow congratulations guys
Thanks for the straight forward information. Really helpful. Much more than many other videos. Keep going!!!!!
What about the shaolin soccer team😏
What about japanese sumo wrestlers as linemen for the nfl
@@lebronjames1054 hahahahaha
They're missing out on the highs and lows of high-school football
😂
@@lebronjames1054 h
This is so amazing. I had no idea or understanding of the monks. Awesome. I was fortunate to practice Tae Kwon do. I always viewed this as it was a mystery. These warriors are beyond anything I imagined. So cool. So beautiful.
Kung fu is supposed to be good for health and discipline.I hope they keep their tradition and not commercialized
Totally martial art combined with dance combined is new and radical really !!!
It's already commercialized - they need to stay open.
Hey that 60 year old looked like an American 30. Seems that kung fu is still very good for their health.
I feel the same 100%
and fighting not performance
As a Buddhist I’m proud to be a Buddhist.
Absolutely amazing!! ❤️❤️❤️
This video was one of the best I have ever watched!
It was awesome and inspiring!
Origin of Kung fu started from India. 15 century's ago when a Buddhist monk traveled far north of India to spread Buddhism now China. Bodhi dharm was also a master of kalari payattu. When Gen Chan or shan begged him to make him his disciple Bodhi dharm said when snow turns red will make him. Gen Chan cut out his left arm and spread his blood on snow. This is when he was accepted as disciple and taught kalari payattu. By the way, the Kung fu we see now is a form of fighting whereas kalari is a complete discipline.
Excellent presentation! I am truly amazed and impressed by the dedication these Shaolin monks display in teaching and coaching these bright young men to honour such a respectful craft. Learning about the history of this ancient art, knowing it wasn't intended for violence, is truly liberating. I hope to visit the temple in the very near future. Thank you for such a wonderful and informative documentary.
Same here. I hope to see it in the future too
Well stated.
Wrong, this is bad filming, bad editing, cat without showing the full gestures which is key to watching Shaolin monks. This is trash hollywood style.
For those who are upset about the commercialization of the Shaolin Temple, the Catholic church did the same thing with the Vatican. You can walk right in; they have a tourist center, souvenirs the whole bit. I think the problem is that everyone has this romanticized idea of what Shaolin Temple should and shouldn't be. The temple has been around for 1,000 years. I think they know what to do to keep the essence of their tradition alive and true to its roots while keeping up with the world.
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Yes it’s a problem for the actual and future generations of monks, (buddhist, christian or shaolin).
The problem is in the how their minds end up.
Thank you for writing this fantastic comment!
@@lucas-ml3tj Thank you for writing your comment!
Very well made film! Bravo for the whole crew!
Kung Fu means hard work. Awesome. Learn something new each day
Ita good to see this sort of thing. These men are great worriors and not just someone to mess with. It's good to open the world's eyes up to something so magnificent the training is nothing to laugh about. They aren't just people they are great worriors. The sacrifices and lives they leave to be the best in the world. I am a NewZelander I first heard about shaoulin many years ago and was always interested in their training and how they become so strong. If I got the chance to go somewhere special like this I would research proper etiquette before stepping onto the soil because I would never want to disrespect them
Amazing story. I loved the final words.
The World is changing and the cultures must Survive
Tears for the performance just beautiful ❤️
When you visit and go to where the Monks are buried. You feel the peaceful pleasant atmosphere and a calm about you, enlightened 😮 happiness, you feel their presence.
Mad respect for these dedicated and skilled people.
This people are not only Chinese treasure but the world treasure as will they are very inspiring for all man
ive always admired the Chinese for lots of reasons but their Martial arts are just so awesome! Kung-Fu is beautiful, and I've studied and practiced for a few years myself and look forward to enrolling my children! These Monks are truly special and very well disciplined and highly spiritual! Great story and video!
Bhudism it's a powerful spiritual religion ,it's making wonders ,mixed with extensive training and Discipline, I love the monks ,they respect Nature
I was 12 or 13 I lived in a home for children and they came to Philadelphia. Since I was in a home for children I could not do what I wanted to do to practice and learn. I'm 64 now and do some things I can't do flips or none of that stuff try to take care of my body. Thank you.🙏🏼👍❤️
I keep watching this video over and over.
The secret to become like a shaolin is to not waste time watching these videos but to practice fitness as best you can and to keep an open mind.
Where does it help in a fight to save your life to perform somersaults and backflips?
Yes, Jake. You are correct but you also need to rest and sleep. We can watch this when we are resting. Thank you.
I believe that the Chinese took martial arts and really tweaked it up a notch, but mixed martial arts first started in Ancient Greece. The Greeks had a brutal system that is the ancestor of modern mma, it used punches, kicks and grappling it is called pankration.
@@jakepapadopoulos8654 Yes, I've heard of the Ancient Greek fighting style.
The best shaolin documetary i ever seen
THANK YOU FOR SHARING
A truly inspiring, interesting and respectful look in to the world of Shaolin
I love this channel
I can understand temples branching into commercialization because when I went back to my home country and visited the temple there, it was mostly tourists and usually the cleaning monks/higher ranking monks that communicates with the visitors while the middle are nowhere to be seen. At least in the areas allowed for tourists.
I also see many people disagree with temples becoming more commercialized, but times have changed and those that remain unchanged usually fade into history. Whether it’d be decades or hundreds of years later, it’d be inevitable.
Another argument that silences me is the money needed to run and maintain a temple and feed it’s residents. You’d think donations covered all of that? Donations aren’t a long term source of income. People really overestimate the amount of people “willing” to donate long term.
I can only say that traditions that want to survive the test of time needs to be shared. Just hope that the original beliefs doesn’t get overwrited by the changing times, then again it’d be inevitable too.
so nice video and knowledge, about the spirit lives on, simply fantastic !
Thank you for pointing out how the form is basically your bag of skills , not the direct application . You got to adapt in the moment, and that muscle memory is crucial in the moment .🙏
The documentary deserves a bravo!
Bravo
The dance is awesome! I'd like to watch something just like it one day. Best together with my baby girl. Bravo! And respect, for this great effort. 👏👏👏
Good vdeo u gained me lot knowledge thank you .keep it up thank u 🙋
Great documentary!
Shaw Brothers created some of the best Kung Fu films ever!
I can't believe they didn't give a nod to the Shaw Brothers. The brother's films practically made Shaolin famous to the whole world.
I love Shaolin Kung Fu! THE MONKS ARE AWESOME FROM CHILDREN TO ADULTS.
Most are nothing more than superb athletic dancers. The old traditional Monks are super rare. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful experience, it's so seicret
Excellent technique on display at 35:51! Notice how he loses sight of his opponent with the sword several times. Just amazing stategy and technique...
I think Ranton should do an overview of this video. I trust his words.
My highest respect to their Shaolin Abbot for embracing change in order to preserve and better the future of shaolin. I really wish i could visit there somedag.
They have been around for over 1,000 years. I don't think they had any problems preserving their way. From my understanding, the new Shaolin Abbot was "placed" their by the government. The new Abbott doesn't even know Kung Fu. He's just a "good" businessman. All the old traditional Abbots were highly skilled in Kung Fu. They have to know martial arts because the Abbot was the highest position and they passed their skills to the next generation of monks. Thank you.
I wish i had their health, fitness and skills.
You can improve any thing you want if you work at it
@@alanculbertson5499 Thank you for your encouragement, I will try. 💞❤🙂
had?
Yeah,same
You’re lazy.
I practice shaolin kung fu and its very nice seeing our martial art getting recognition
The level of dedication, concentration and discipline to be an accomplished gongfu monk is no less than that to be enlightened.
28:57 Jet Li was NOT a Hong Kong actor! He was born and raised in Beijing, which is far north of Hong Kong. He was a wushu athlete since he was a little kid. He only got into acting later. The only relation with Hong Kong is Jet's first movie, The Shaolin Temple was a Hong Kong and mainland China co-production. What's true is the movie did revive interest in the temple.
Legend like kung fu can only be preserved when it will be taught to others. Because very few people care about this devotion...
Jinnjon u are a warrior young man worthy of respect and much honor
Incredible discipline …wow admiration
This is the best documentary which I saw about Shaolin, thanks a lot for sharing!
wow.. Awesome video :)
These guys should get gold in gymnastics
Goodluck guys, I love watching your guys *Shao Lin Kung Fu*
I think the temple has another zone that separate from training zone which is not allow anyone go inside but only monks who really devoted themselves
Stunning....thanks for uploading😅
thank you for watching!! ✨
@@TRACKSTravelDocs ✌️
These're the greatest of all times
underline
The Best fighters in the world 🌎
I always wanted to live like that. But in the woods with a good sensei and just live a meaningful existence.
this is awesome.
They let outsiders in and know it’s slowly turning into a dance routine! Brilliant! Cheers mates!!
Thats why im always watching KUNG FU MOVIES coz its really happend in true life.
What, a Caucasian American made to look Asian? Right ...
I have a mixed reaction ....... turning Shaolin into cirque du soleil .....
Thank you for your fantastic comment. Keep the old Traditional Martial Skills alive. Thank you.
Excelling high level informative review.
The true beauty of shaolin is the sculpted stone courtyards and stone temples, the surrounding rocky and beautiful trees and hills, the white greyish light that make it look timeless. The discipline and life of stone, wood, iron, fire and Buddhism complete it in harmony.
Having been a former student of the art, while I agree with SOME of the things that are illustrated in this clip, in terms of the commercialization of the practice, I can't say that I agree with ALL of what they are trying to do. I DO agree with fighting to keep the name "Shaolin" a sacred as possible, so that it's not simply "duplicated" by the practice of Wu Shu or any other form of self defense. I understand the two disciplines to be very similar in their styles, it's a well known FACT that Wu Shu lends it self to the more "sport side" of the art. I truly believe there should be some separation between the two styles, so they aren't confused for one over the other.
Im 17 and i wouldnt mess with a 10 year old shaolin monk
Thank you
I saw the new show in London, Brilliant
There is still a lot of real Kung Fu out there. It doesnt have to be in onley the temple. The spirit is everywhere.
Thank you for your comment! You are very right. All martial arts is just a way to help master yourself. Thank you.
Respect the Chinese martial art of shaolin
You mean the very watered down, flowery, non-traditional Shaolin Martial Arts. Thank you.
Fantastic documentary! One of the best that I've seen. Not many properly expain the difference between the temple school & wushu schools, or mention the effects of the Cultural Revolution.
I agree with jackzhow,thanks for this post John Barnett revisited December 2023
Shaolin Congfu is neither a performance
Nor a contest because Congfu is an adventure.
Das adventure of my life is to learn Shaolin Xinyiba.
It is good on poopaganda films only. chiina produced only one, single, lone fighter capable of figting kickboxers. He is Qi long. cccp ordered him to declare himself as shaolin but the world knows chhina is lying as usual.
i like your idea in your videos with the Qi gong at different places but you look sloppy.
@@gyurmethlodroe1774 lmao, shut up kiddo. You know nothing about Martial arts. There are many others who use Kung Fu in MMA. Go read the history of Shaolin, they got involved in many combat. What else could I expect from a kid who watches UFC and thinks he's an expert on fighting lol.
Enjoy your journey, Satnamo!
True ... of these monks as long as they do not break tradition into a material world. Ever your eyes on a mobile screen has an effect that's not natural. Movies, being stars, glamour & praise are the elements of the ego. This ego is not spiritual. Silence is the key to the inner self. Not the fame & pattern of stage play. Sad but true ... the world of the prince of darkness. Monks can heal people. The very power of the 'Spirit'. & the 'Soul'. I call them plastic flowers not real. ........ Gypsy Trail
That is true.
Facts
Excellent. It is hard Training, Shaolin inspired myself 🙏☀️☯️
i love you tracks
It is all that it is and that is amazing. I’m not sure making it a commercial thing is that great but I suppose they need to money to sustain that type of existence in today’s day and age.
The old Traditional Monks survived for over 1,000 years. I'm sure they would have survived just fine. Thank you.
The skills is an art to be used with respect discipline into your life's advantage keep up good work I'm proud of use. PS With Honor.
Love watchin the monks super humans for real 👍👍
Marvelous! :)