Human Weapon Forums

Errors in the latest episode - Kung Fu:

Ki/Chi is not from Buddhism, it is a concept from Daoism that predates the Shaolin temple by 1000 years

Bodhairama did not introduce Shaolin Kung fu...he introduced Mahayana Buddhism, and not any fighting style. Kung fu had already existed before in various forms, and not all kung fu is categorized under shaolin.

A lot of the "fighting" styles they were interviewing were wushu, or showy acrobatics not actually used for combat

The Shaolin monk reciting that historical bit about Buddhism introducing kung fu is wrong - he was using a forged 17th century Qing document that errorenously attributes fighting styles to the Shaolin Temple. And hell no, some 13 monks did not defeat a freaking army.

I hope the history channel actually pays attention to the "historical" aspects of the show next episode...

Hi Intranetusa,

When Bodhidharma found the monks, they were in a state of physical/health ailments because of their strict attention to meditation and less attention to taking care of their physical. Bodhidharma introduced the Indian Kalari Payattu (from Kerala) to the monks, who subsequently changed it fit their culture & tradition.

Kalari Payat is considered to be the "Mother of all martial arts" and its influence is seen in kung fu, wushu (subsidiary of kung fu), aikido and even Brazilian capoeira (Indians were brought as slaves to Brazil from which kalari also went thru a change).