In Depth Martial Art Aspects
- Part 2 -

Dr. Hanjabam Barun Sharma *

Much is said about the role of Buddhist monks & nuns in the history of orient martial arts. Buddhism is one the quietest religion in the world & is known for non-violence. So, how non-violent monks became involved in fighting & killing art, nobody knows exactly.

Some opine, in the ancient times, the monks lived in monasteries usually located in dense forested areas, & travelled long distances on foot between temples & monasteries to preach or to collect alms, & were thus very vulnerable to attack by wild animals, thieves, robbers or armed invaders etc.

They had to defend themselves, which led to developing & practicing martial art both empty handed, by close observing nature, & using 'weapons', which were usually ordinary wooden day to day useful implements, for self defense, health-fitness & internal development.

The Shaolin monks & nuns developed Shaolin kung fu; Ng Mui, an aging shaolin nun, developed Wing Tsun style to cope with/overcome Shaolin kung fu; Southern Dragon style was developed in the Wah So Toi Buddhist Temple on Lau Fou Shen mountain, China & was brought into secular society by a monk named Tai Yut. The credit for the development of White Crane style goes to a Tibetan Buddhist monk during Ming dynasty.

As the common people took care of the materialistic need of the monks, they had to fulfill the spiritual need of them & their society, helping those who need them, & giving them peace.

At that time, common people usually were tortured, raped, killed or crushed at the hand of cruel rulers or invading force. The monks no longer could stay & sit indifferent in their monasteries, they had to step outside to fight & put an end to the evil.

The famous example is the Shaolin temple which was considered a staging ground for revolutionaries during the anti-Manchurian rebellions.

Also when Japan invaded Korea in 1592, a Buddhist monk named Sosan Taesa (Taesa : great monk) organized & trained a militia of over 5000 armed Buddhist monks, which under the brave leadership of Samyong Taesa, another monk, helped defeat the Japanese.

The then Korean government proclaimed all the Buddhist monks as "protector of the nation', giving them exclusive privilege to practice martial art (Bulkyo mu sool) which became one of the three roots of Korean martial arts (other two were: Sado mu sool, tribal martial arts; Koong joong mu sool, palace martial arts) & contribute to the origin of present Korean martial art Kuk sool won & Taekwon-do etc.

Even today, the world is witnessing many non-violent Buddhist uprisings for the rights of their people- Tibetan monks & nuns under the leadership of Dalai Lama for the freedom & independence of Tibet, Myanmar monks protesting against dictatorship of Jungta etc.

Some people defame them by addressing as 'violent monks' or 'monks with guns'. Whatever be the name given to them or dangers lie ahead, it's cleared now that they will no longer sit and stay inert inside the monasteries, they know praying only & doing nothing is just as evil, and they are closer to 'Buddhahood' than any inside those four walls of monasteries who refuse to venture outside to help. Bruce lee once said "Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.'

Like Buddhism, Sanamahism, indigenous religion of kangleipak (present day Manipur) has an intimate relationship with Thang-ta, Sarit-sarak & Mukna, martial art of Manipur; Hinduism with Yoga & Kalarippayattu etc.

Whatever be the style, physically, martial art emphasizes on strength, power, speed, balance, flexibility, stretching, reflexes, reaction & response time; along with exercise, yoga, and physical conditioning. Sensitivity, timing, techniques, sparring skills, in addition to developing tone, endurance and stamina, are also important.

A typical complete martial art physical training include:

• stances, body motion & movements;
• striking;
• feinting;
• blocking & parry;
• target practice;
• take downs, sweeps & throws;
• trapping & grabbing;
• joint & other locks;
• chokes;
• weapons which are considered as an extension of body part, & are mostly traditional;
• forms/ katas(karate);
• Kumite(karat) or sparring;
• breaking & body conditioning;
• self defense;
• exercises,
• regular practice,
• proper rest &
• diet etc.