“When the water is still, its depths are revealed; when the mind is quiet, one comes to know the heart.”
Shaolin is not merely a place of martial arts, nor is it just a temple. It is more like an ancient spiritual sanctuary that has endured for a thousand years. Many friends from afar often ask: Can we, as people coming from overseas, step into this ancient temple to learn Kung Fu, sit in meditation, and experience life here?
The answer is simple—of course you can.
A Door Always Open
The Shaolin tradition emphasizes lineage, yet it has never shunned exchange. As early as the Tang Dynasty, Shaolin monks traveled far and wide, bringing the Dharma, the spirit of Chan, and martial arts to foreign lands. Today, the world changes rapidly, and restlessness abounds, yet Shaolin remains nestled in the mountains. Its doors have always been open. As long as you are willing to let go of distractions and approach with reverence, there will surely be masters willing to teach and guide you.
How to Learn and Experience at Shaolin?
For Those Seeking Deep Practice
If you truly wish to spend some time here in quiet contemplation, the temple welcomes you. You will follow the monastery’s daily schedule, practice martial arts, chant scriptures, and meditate alongside the monks—cultivating both body and mind. This requires patience, a willingness to endure hardship, and the readiness to let go of your usual pace of life.
For Those Seeking a Brief Experience
If you only wish to experience Shaolin for a few days or weeks to see what it is truly like, that is also possible. You can participate in basic Kung Fu training, join in meditation sessions, and listen to the sounds of the temple bells and drums, immersing yourself in its serenity and rhythm. For many foreign visitors, this is a wonderful introduction.
Things to Note:
- It is best to contact the temple at least two weeks in advance to arrange accommodation and courses.
- Some areas are tourist attractions, not genuine places of practice. If your intention is to learn rather than sightsee, be sure to contact the authentic Shaolin Temple, not just any tour group.
Language Is Not the Barrier—The Mind Is
Many foreign visitors worry about communication barriers. In truth, at Shaolin, much is conveyed through the body. A movement, a breath, a glance—often more direct than words. Some monks can offer simple guidance in both Chinese and English, though not all are fluent. This, too, is part of the practice: learning to observe, to feel, and to rely less on words.
Learning at Shaolin Is Not What You Might Expect
Martial Arts with the Spirit of Chan; Steps That Reveal the Heart
At Shaolin, martial arts are not for fighting or performance. Movements are a means to cultivate breath, focus, and the refinement of the mind. Simply holding a horse stance for ten minutes can calm the heart and steady the body.
Practice Is Found in Daily Life
Sweeping, carrying water, walking, eating—life here is simple. Yet the masters often say, “Walking is Chan, sitting is also Chan; movement contains stillness, stillness contains awareness.” Newcomers may find it unfamiliar at first, but over time, you may notice your mind gradually settling.
What Can You Prepare Before Coming?
Mental Preparation
- Let go of preconceptions. Whether or not you have a martial arts background, you begin anew here.
- Some courses, especially long-term ones, can be physically demanding. You may want to prepare by exercising, such as jogging or stretching.
- There are no shortcuts in practice. Those who persevere do so not through strength, but through the heart.
Practical Preparation
- Bring comfortable training clothes, sturdy shoes suitable for walking on mountain paths, and daily necessities.
- If you are interested in traditional culture, you may also consider bringing a meditation mat or training attire, though these are not essential—the mind is what matters.
You Can Practice Even Outside of Shaolin
Not everyone can reside at Shaolin, but practice can continue in every morning, in every quiet night.
- Standing Meditation (Zhan Zhuang): Find ten minutes each day to stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands hanging naturally, eyes on the nose, the nose on the heart, and the mind settled in the lower Dantian.
- Breath Regulation: Inhale with the tongue touching the roof of the mouth, letting the breath slowly sink to the abdomen; exhale gently, allowing thoughts to settle.
- Sitting Meditation: Sit in the early morning or before bed, close your eyes, listen to your breath, and observe how thoughts arise and fade.
No elaborate form is needed. Even in the city, if you can quiet your mind, that moment is practice.
Final Words
Shaolin does not reject anyone, nor does it judge by whether you are a foreigner. It only hopes that those who come do so with sincerity.
You come to Shaolin not to take something away, but to let something go. Whether practicing martial arts or sitting in meditation, it is a way of seeing yourself. Shaolin speaks not with words, but with the mountain wind. May you, in every movement and every breath, gradually draw closer to your true self.
“The Bodhi is not a tree, nor is the bright mirror a stand; originally there is not a single thing—where can dust alight?”
