Buddhist Shaolin Kung Fu: Stop, sit, get still

Ajahn Lee Dhammadaro; Shi Heng Yi; Ellie Askew, Pat Mac, Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

(Shaolin Temple Europe) Buddhism's Five Hindrances are explained by Shaolin Master Shi Heng Yi

Develop strength by stillness

Theravada Buddhist Thai Forest Tradition Meditation Master Ajahn Lee

Thai Theravada teacher Ajahn Lee

Stopping is what gives rise to strength. If one is walking or running, one can't put up a good fight with anyone.

That's because the advantage rests with the person standing still, not with the person walking or running.

This is why we're taught to let the mind stop and get still. It's so it can gain strength. Then it will be able to start walking again with strength and agility.

Stability of Stillness: Zhàn zhuāng (桩功)

(Shi Heng Yi, 3/29/20) Zhàn zhuāng or 桩功 literally means "standing like a post." It is a training method used in Buddhist Shaolin martial arts.

It is practiced to develop physical and mental skills that serve as a foundation for all other practices, like overcoming the Five Hindrances (see video above).

Buddha taught stillness; Shaolin developed it.

Master Shi Heng Yi belongs to the 35th generation of Shaolin masters. He is the headmaster of Germany's Shaolin Temple Europe (歐洲少林寺).

Learn these training methods to develop unity of body and mind that merge internal and external powers.

Every year there are several retreats that take place at Shaolin Temple Europe, the Buddhist monastery where he lives and teaches.

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A retreat can either be three days (Friday-Sunday) or six days (Monday-Saturday).

Every retreat is held based around a specific topic, such as: Gong Fu, Qi Gong (e.g., Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing, 13 Luohan), meditation retreats, and Rou Quan ("Soft Fist") retreats.

If interested in joining a retreat, check the dates published on the monastery's website: ShaolinTemple.eu.

Dich Can Kinh, Yi Jin Jing, Yijin Jing