Good Post!Originally Posted by r.(shaolin)
Traditional Shaolin contact sets (dui lian - 對 練) are a series of fighting dills (lian 練). That is why contact sets are called dui lian - 對 練. There are usaully 21, 18, 12, 9 or 5 genieric drills in each set. These drills were considered only generic patterns and never meant to be considered inflexible 'tricks'. Although these 'drill' can be done one after the other in a set once they have been mastered, beginner and intermediate level students practice them mostly individually with opponents switching sides. Basically, dui lian were not only a sophisticated and effective methods of passing on the fighting knowledge of the older generation, they were effective training methods. Unfortunately it appears that most dui lian and their training methodology have disappeared. In modern Chinese martial arts most of the dui lian are recent inventions designed for light props resembling weapons. The role of this kind of training has at best degenerated to the point of being useless performance.
I would add that for a lot of its history Shaolin martial arts, was largly weapon focused - staves were used to defend the monastery not bare hands. You will note that even the more recent military exploits of Shaolin, during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, involved weapons. As I mentioned in another post, according to the traditions of our lineage, monks first studied basics for one year were then taught staff fighting – so that they could protect the monastery. Although sport wrestling has been as sport in China for centuries, weapons have been the most important part of Chinese wushu in ancient times. If one wants to talk about recent or 'modern' developments in Chinese martial arts (including Shaolin for that matter) it is the over emphasis on bare hand fighting. During the Northern Song Dynasty (976- 997 A.D) when platform fighting known as Da Laitai (Title fights challenge on platform) first appeared, these fights were with only swords and staves. Although later, when bare hand fights appeared as well, it was the weapons events that became the most famous. These open-ring competitions had regulations and were organized by government organizations; some were also organized by the public. The government competitions resulted in appointments to military posts for winners and were held in the capital as well as in the prefectures.
r.
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