Monks+Supermen+of+Religon

__**Shaolin Monks: Supermen Of Religion**__
Shaolin Kung-Fu is practiced among most monks, and its one of the most predominant forms out of the many different styles that can be learned. Its not only used for self defence but its also a way the user can benefit to balance, readiness, self control, health and fitness. This being said I believe this is one of the perfect ways to me to be disciplined but at the same time be rewarded self defence. Shaolin martial arts, first began in the year 527 AD when an South Indian Monk named Bodhidharma, left his court and found himself at a Shaolin Monastery where he faced a wall for nine years, completely silent. After the nine years a hole in the wall was left in the wall, and when he was done he left. Bodhidharma taught the monks eighteen different moves which derived from yoga. These eighteen different moves would enhanced the monks speed, reaction and mental health. These initial moves were expanded and mastered and is what as we know it today as Shaolin Kung-Fu. In addition Kung Fu incorporates not only Buddhism but its also Taoism, which in my opinion is excellent because they combine both philosophy's which is a perfect balance. Furthermore through the years of advancement of Kung-Fu though monks, animal forms were starting to be incorporated to form new styles and techniques. The major five animal stances are the crane which represents speed and consistency, the tiger which represents power and strength, the snake which represents accuracy and speed, the leopard which represents logic over pure strength and speed and the last being the dragon which is the mastery of all styles.

**__MLA Citation__**
1) Wikipedia contributors. "Shaolin Kung Fu." //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 9 Jan. 2011. Web. 13 Jan. 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Kung_Fu

2) Golden Lion Kung-Fu. "Kung Fu Shaolin Monks Philosophy Helpful In Times Of Adversity".Kung Fu Fitness and Defence.12 Jan. 2011.Web.13 Jan.2011. http://www.kung-fu-fitness-and-defence.com/kung-fu-shaolin-monks.html

3)Wikipedia contributors. "Taoism." //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 11 Jan. 2011. Web. 13 Jan. 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism

Shaolin Balancing http://www.cacbc.org/kung_fu/images/Monk_on_Spoon.jpg

Dexterity http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3FTO6EjRbe4/SvkCP2CMo5I/AAAAAAAAWiw/IM4SgAXtUCg/s640/Shaolin+monks+perform+Chinese+Kung+Fu+in+Malta+-+7.jpg

__**Video Clip Link**__
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JgMmj4XnEI

The Above link shows a monk Showing his skills to the public