The origin of Shaolin Kung Fu is generally credited to an Indian monk
named Tat Moh, who is also sometimes known as Boddhidharma.
He began life as a prince in Southern India, but became a devoted
Buddhist, renouncing his royal heritage to take up the simple lifestyle
of a monk. He traveled widely, spreading the teachings of Buddhism.
Eventually he rose to become the 28th patriarch of India.
In those days, it was common
for Indian monks to travel to China where their Buddhist teachings
were eagerly received. In the year 520 A.D. Tat Moh made just such
a journey, right through India and China, finally settling at the
monastery called Shao Lin - which means 'little forest'.
He was disappointed, however,
to find the monks very weak and unable to withstand the austere ways
of Buddhism - a life which often consisted of long fasts and frugal
living.
