Concerning the Southern Temple
Quote:
Originally Posted by
The Xia
I'm sure everyone has seen this picture.
http://www.shaolin-do.com/masters/SKong.jpg
And here is another.
http://www.centralshaolin.com/shaoli...ong2_close.jpg
However, pictures of someone with a disease doesn't prove that he is the "first grandmaster" of Shaolin. If this were true, he'd be recognized outside of Shaolin Do circles. Which he isn't.
The Su Kong story flies in the face of Kung Fu history. Historically speaking, the Southern Temple was burned before Su Kong is said to have existed. Someone with more knowledge of the Southern Shaolin Temple's timeline can elaborate.
The thing is the Southern Shaolin Temple is equally steeped in myth. There is a debate as to its place in marital history and some will say that a Southern shaolin temple didn't even exist. Anyone claiming lineage to a southern shoulin temple is probably on shaky historical footing as far as documented marital history goes.
Now there are plenty of southern styles out there and many of them claim lineage to the 5 elders or the southern temple, but how much of it can be documented? Why do you think that the southern forum is such a hotbed of lienage debate? Ever heard of the "Green-grass" monk? His existence is also debated, yet a very well respected branch of CLF lays claim to a lineage that runs through him.