Research On Shaolin Health--preserving Sports Theoretical Basis And The Typical Project

The Shaolin Temple is located on the Western Mount Shaoshi in Dengfeng county of Zhengzhou, Henan province. It has a history of more than 1500 years. During the long course of history, Indian Buddhism was blended with the ancient Chinese culture and the unique culture of Shaolin gradually evolved, which finally became the predecessor of Chinese Zen Buddhism. The martial art of Shaolin was also appraised as one of the first Chinese intangible cultural legacies. In order to protect, inherit, and develop Shaolin culture, a unique perspective is chosen for the current research. The research methods include documenting, observation, logical analysis and expert-interviews. The concept of Shaolin Health-preserving Sports is brought up and the Shaolin Health-preserving Sports System is proposed. The Shaolin Health-preserving Sports is classified into three types: qi promoting and steering Xingqidaoyin, massage Anmotuina, and fist techniques and weapons Quanshuqixie. Comparison and analyses are explored including India's Health-preserving Sports and the Shaolin Health-preserving Sports, the philosophy of ancient Chinese and Shaolin Health-preserving Sports, the philosophy of Confucius and the Taoism and Shaolin Health-preserving Sports, the influence exerted by Shaolin Health-preserving Sports on the practicing style of Shaolin boxing, and the medical and mental health-preserving effects. From the above analysis, conclusion is reached that Shaolin Health-preserving Sports was formed on the basis of the fusion between the India's health-preserving sports and the Chinese health-preserving sports. Shaolin Health-preserving Sports has obviously absorbed the practice and theory of Chinese traditional culture, which embodies affluent philosophy, wisdom and qualities of diversified cultures. It has become a unique health-preserving culture, which is beneficial for human beings. The ancient and mysterious Shaolin qigong of qi promoting and steering Xingqidaoyin is studied to find the origin of "qi" from qigong, the concept of Shaolin health-improving qigong and the evolution and health-improving function of Shaolin qigong, which provides references to better maintaining people's physical and mental health and the harmony among human, nature and society. It is found that Shaolinwuquan, five animals exercise Wuqinxi and steering Daoyin have close relations. In the Han Dynasty, one of the ancient steering art Daoyin evolved into Wuqinxi, and one of them finally formed Shaolinwuquan in Shaolin temple, which also provided a simple account for Chinese boxing weapons Quanshuqixie. The unique Shaolin massage therapy Anmotuina is based on traditional Chinese massage therapy combined with India's massage therapy. It is also combined with the theory of Wushu works Wushugongfa and its classification and functions are introduced. By comparison and analysis on the Shaolin boxing sports and Taiji sports, and based on the comparison of health-preserving philosophy style, medical and mental health protection methods, it is concluded that all of them are deeply influenced by traditional Chinese culture. With affluent philosophy, they are gradually evolved to be more and more scientific and rational. Despite the excellence and uniqueness of Shaolin health-preserving sports, it is true that there are diversified methods of health preserving. It is necessary for people to find the most suitable method according to their own characters. This research helps us to know the origin of Shaolin health preserving and its law of development, which can be taken as a useful guide to making the choice from the large variety of health—preserving methods.