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Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
Followup-To: 
From: exudms@exu.ericsson.se (New Dave)
Reply-To: exudms@exu.ericsson.se
Organization: Ericsson Network Systems, Inc.
Subject: Re: Shao-Lin Temple news
In article 24333@oracle.us.oracle.com, glo@dvlseq.us.oracle.com (George Lo) writes:
>Many years ago, there was a Japanese guy who went to visit Shaolin.

How long ago?

>And he saw some pictures on the wall.  Being inspired by the pictures
>he went back to Japan and founded the Japanese Shaolin school and
>there are a lot of students.  He re-visited Shaolin after many years
>and got a lineage tablet established though he didn't learn from any
>Shaolin master.  This is recorded by the Chinese government inside
>the Shaolin advisetisement.
>Guess one day when I become famous I can also get a lineage tablet
>established. 

Sorry Mr. Lo, 
But when I read about people visiting the ruines of the north "Shao Lin" temple in Henan to see some of the historical relics,...that's great; that's ok. But if people think that they are going to find any of the "real" Shao Lin Kung Fu there they are dreaming.
Yes I'm shure that they alowed a few Monks to reside there ( being a monk nowadays has nothing to do with Martial Arts!) and they may demonstrate what appears to look like "Shao Lin Kung Fu", Bubba it ain't, it is known to be "Wu Shu". (I will make my point about Wu Shu, it's comming)
I'm shure that this is operating only as a "National Historical Monument" declaired by the government.

>Shaolin master- 
???

 This is recorded by the Chinese government inside
>the Shaolin advisetisement.-
Now this is what bothers me. The Chinese government recognizes "Wu Shu", and not "Kung Fu" and they don't have Sifus, they have "Coaches".

There may in fact be some Kung Fu left in China somewhere, but it is not publically known. "Wu Shu" is becoming wide spread including the USA.

WU SHU is not KUNG FU.

"Shaolin chuan Wu Ssu" is Not KUNG FU 

"Wu Shu" is reminiscent and repensentational of Kung Fu. It is very athletic, acrobatic and physical. It looks good, but it is missing alot of importance. I watch some of the KF movies that C is producing. They are good and they try  to be authentic as possible nowadays, but the actors are clearly doing Wu Shu and not true Shao Lin Kung Fu techniques. Too much history is so mythical and can be twisted.

>Guess one day when I become famous I can also get a lineage tablet
>established. -
For a certificate in the Shao Lin temple to have your lineage from the temple, just send $600.00 US to Peking and you get... ( a little humar here, I was just being funny)

So when I hear of someone going to the SHAO LIN TEMPLE to learn Kung Fu, or the "MONKS FROM SHAO LIN", it kind of bothers me. Is it authentic?
 
Finally, 
Yes I'm sure that you can honestly trace your roots to the north or south Shao Lin temple. That's depending. You would have to do some geneology work to a couple of hundred years and belive me, there are  few known lineages.

I guess this whole thing doesn't matter much. My appologies if you are a Wu Shu practicioner (not putting it down) or if you are from the mainland. Don't misunderstand me, I was just wondering the authenticity of this artical among other things that I have read.

/New Dave
Shao Lin Hung Gar Tiger Crane Kung Fu 



*My opinions and not that of my employer.*
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts