Chinese Martial Arts (Kongfu)

Martial arts enjoy a special place in Chinese spiritual and cultural landscape. Shaolin Kungfu is the most famous of the martial arts heritages with over 1,500 years of history. Martial arts or Chinese Kongfu are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat. Martial arts all have a very similar objective: defend oneself or others from physical threat. In addition, some martial arts are linked to beliefs such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism or Shinto while others follow a particular code of honor. Martial arts are considered as both an art and a science. Many arts are also practiced competitively, most commonly

as combat sports, but may also take the form of dance. Shaolin Kung Fu originated in the Temple on Mount Songshan. The martial arts developed there were expressions of Chan Buddhism which emphasizes wisdom through the understanding of life and the natural world. Monks sought spiritual enlightenment through the martial arts and the emulation of animals. Shaolin Kungfu was developed from the Shaolin Temple, in the region of Song Mountain. While cultivating in the thick forest of the high mountains, monks created a set of body-building exercises by learning the postures of flying, jumping and running from birds, beasts and fish. Gradually, these body-building exercises developed into a sort of boxing through long practice and improvement, which is generally

called 'Shaolin boxing'. There are many world-famous martial arts actors such as Bruce Lee, who is regarded as the 'King of Kungfu' as well as a great film star. Jet Li, a super star of martial arts, has successfully developed many Kungfu figures in a number of blockbusters. Jackie Chan is noted for his outstanding kungfu skills in the film industry at home and abroad. People can really marvel at and admire the charm of Chinese martial arts from their marvellous works.