Wikimedia CommonsCulture
Buddhist — Mahayana
Location
Henan Province, China
Key Figures
Bodhidharma (first Chan patriarch), Emperor Xiaowen, The 13 Shaolin monks, Later Chan masters
The Myth
The story as told by the culture
Shaolin Temple is the birthplace of Chan Buddhism (called Zen in Japanese), a revolutionary interpretation of Buddhism emphasizing sudden enlightenment through meditation, paradox, and direct transmission from teacher to student. According to legend, Bodhidharma, an Indian monk, arrived at Shaolin in the 5th century and spent nine years facing a wall in meditation. When the local prince asked what dharma Bodhidharma taught, the monk replied with the famous statement: 'No words, no teachings, no sutras — just the transmission of mind to mind.' This encapsulates Chan's revolutionary departure from scriptural study toward direct intuitive understanding.
The monks of Shaolin developed physical practices (what became Shaolin Kung Fu) not as warfare but as discipline supporting meditation. The martial arts emerged from monks' need to maintain strength and health during long meditation periods and to protect the monastery from bandits. Over centuries, these practices evolved into a sophisticated martial system, while remaining rooted in Buddhist principles of compassion and non-violence.
The temple's reputation grew, especially after the legendary story of 13 Shaolin monks who, in the 7th century, helped Tang Dynasty Emperor Li Shimin defeat an enemy general. The emperor rewarded the monks, and Shaolin became known throughout the empire as a center of both spiritual and martial excellence.
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Myth types
The Place
The physical location today
Shaolin Temple sits on the eastern slope of Mount Song, one of China's most sacred Daoist mountains, in Henan Province. The monastery complex includes the main meditation hall, residential buildings for monks, multiple subsidiary temples, and—most famously—the Pagoda Forest (Talin), a cemetery of 248 stone stupas erected to honor successive generations of abbots and eminent monks. Each stupa is a small stone structure carved with Buddhist symbols and the monk's name and rank.
The main temple hall contains images of Shaolin's historical patriarchs. The surrounding landscape is forested and mountainous, providing natural seclusion for meditative practice. The current visible structures date largely from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), though the monastery has been continuously rebuilt and renovated over its 1,500-year history.
Visit information
Access
Ticketed entry; monastery and grounds accessible to visitors
Nearest city
Dengfeng, Henan Province, China
Notes
One of China's top tourist destinations — expect significant crowds. The main temple is active and functioning; visitors must be respectful of monks and prayer spaces. Martial arts demonstrations are offered for additional fees. The Pagoda Forest (cemetery) requires separate ticketing. Comfortable shoes recommended. Early morning or late afternoon offers quieter visits.
The History
What archaeology and scholarship tell us
Shaolin Temple was founded in 495 CE by the Indian monk Buddhabhadra for Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The name 'Shaolin' means 'Young Forest,' referring to the forest environment. In the early 6th century, Bodhidharma arrived (traditionally dated 527 CE, though some scholars debate this) and established the lineage of Chan Buddhism that would become one of Buddhism's most influential schools.
Shaolin's reputation grew during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), when it became known for both spiritual attainment and martial prowess. The tradition of the 13 Shaolin monks saving the emperor became legendary. The temple was repeatedly damaged and rebuilt throughout Chinese history, suffering particularly during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) when temples were desecrated. Since the 1980s, the Chinese government has restored and promoted Shaolin, and it has become a major center of Buddhist study, martial arts training, and tourism.
Today Shaolin Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most famous Buddhist monasteries. It serves as the headquarters of Chan (Zen) Buddhism internationally, with affiliated temples and lineages across East Asia and the West. The temple trains martial arts monks and hosts thousands of visitors annually.
Sources
Broughton, Jeffrey L.. Zongmi on Chan Buddhism: Establishing a Tradition of Zen Meditation and Doctrine (2009). University of Hawai'i Press. Scholarly study of Chan Buddhism and its development, including Shaolin's role
Tier 1Zenmar, Abbot. Shaolin Monastery: History, Religion, and Martial Arts (2003). Henan University Press. Historical account of Shaolin's development as a center of Buddhist practice and martial arts
Tier 2Nearby Sites
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