For those who've spent time with the Shaolin monks
Just a question for those people who've spent time at Shaolin or been around the Shaolin complex/village practitioners.
How do they view other martial arts?
Are they at all interested in them - the differences, the similarities etc?
Do they just not care?
Do they consider them poor excuses for Chinese martial art?
I'd be interested to know. I know the travelling troupes perform often at venues that feature other martial artists, that there have been challengers at Shaolin from other places and of course, the world is getting smaller and smaller and even the people in rural China have a better idea of what's happening outside their immediate area these days.
thanks in advance for any enlightenment!
It's been over a decade since I've been on the rugged soils of Shaolin
...but I''l address this, just for fun
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jimbob
How do they view other martial arts?
Shaolin Temple is a martial arts mecca. Practitioners and pilgrims from all styles visit and pay homage. Consequently, there is tremendous respect for other styles. It's rooted in the traditional martial world where braggadocio gets your ass handed to you on a platter pretty quickly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jimbob
Are they at all interested in them - the differences, the similarities etc?
All styles are practiced in the various private schools, not just traditional Shaolin, modern Shaolin, modern wushu and sanda. I've seen Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, and Cardio-Kickboxing practiced there. Plus there's some obscure styles of Kung Fu, even the Daoist and Hui styles. I hear there's some MMA there now too. It's a huge place.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jimbob
Do they just not care?
Tens of thousands of people practice and compete in a small town. There are street fights. So they care. If you live there for a little while, you do too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jimbob
Do they consider them poor excuses for Chinese martial art?
:rolleyes: