Shao-Lin monastery

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | 700+ words | Copyright

Shao-Lin monastery. A Buddhist monastery in Honan province founded in 496 ce under the auspices of the Emperor Hsiao Wen of the Northern Wei dynasty. It is famed as the site where the first patriarch of the Ch'an school, Bodhidharma (d. 532) practised ‘wall-contemplation’ for nine years and where he received his disciple, the second patriarch Hui-k'o (487–593). It is also noted as a centre for the practice of martial arts. Legend has it that, when Bodhidharma first arrived there, he found the monks tired and listless due to lack of exercise, and so devised a system of physical training to complement their spiritual endeavours. Over the course of time his system evolved into the Shao-lin style of martial arts. See also China.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Shao-Lin monastery." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Shao-Lin monastery." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-ShaoLinmonastery.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Shao-Lin monastery." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-ShaoLinmonastery.html

Learn more about citation styles