Shaolin Temple - The Hall of Martial Arts in the World (Cai Zhizhong Comic English-Chinese Version)

Author: Cai Zhizhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Shaolin Temple is located at the base of Wulu Peak on the northern slope of Shaoshi Mountain in Dengfeng County, Henan Province. It was founded in the 19th year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (495 AD). In the third year of the Xiaochang era (527 AD), the Indian monk Bodhidharma arrived here and first established Chan Buddhism, making Shaolin Temple the birthplace of Chan Buddhism, which holds an important position in the development of Buddhism in China. Due to its long history and complex cultural background, Shaolin Temple is more legendary than any other temple in China. In the early Tang Dynasty, Shaolin monks helped Li Shimin capture Wang Shichong, earning them the purple silk robes, 40 acres of land, and the Shaolin Temple Main Teacher Stele, significantly elevating their status. Additionally, the legendary feat of Bodhidharma crossing the river with a single reed, as well as the miraculous martial arts manuals associated with later legends, and the rumored heroes like Zhao Kuangyin, Yue Fei, Qi Jiguang, and Yu Dayou, all said to have originated from Shaolin, further enhanced the fame of this ancient temple.
The scale of Shaolin Temple was mostly established in the early Northern Wei Dynasty. Most of the buildings we see today were rebuilt during the Ming and Qing dynasties, but they still largely follow the original structure. The main buildings include the Mountain Gate, Dharma Hall, White Robe Hall, Earth Store Hall, and Thousand Buddhas Hall. The Mountain Gate is inscribed with the three characters "Shaolin Temple," written by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. The Dharma Hall is said to be the site where the second patriarch, Huike, stood waiting for Bodhidharma outside the gate, remaining motionless despite knee-deep snow, hence it is also known as the Snow-Standing Pavilion. The White Robe Hall contains the Shaolin Fist Manual and a mural depicting "Thirteen Monks Saving the Tang Emperor." The Thousand Buddhas Hall features a mural of "Five Hundred Arhats Worshiping Vairocana." The temple also houses over 400 steles since the Tang Dynasty, mostly written by scholars and calligraphers from various dynasties. These steles provide valuable insights into the economic, cultural, religious, and political aspects of Shaolin Temple at the time, making them a highly valuable historical resource.
To the west of Shaolin Temple are over 220 stupas since the Tang Dynasty, forming a magnificent "Stupa Forest." These stupas are the burial grounds of () of Shaolin Temple and one of the largest groups of stupas in China. The stupas vary in shape and style, serving as a treasure trove for studying Chinese sculpture art.