There are numerous accounts regarding the Shaolin-Ssu (small forest temple), a Buddhist monastery known for being the conceptual birthplace for Chinese Kung Fu. It is believed that the emperor Hsiao Wen of the Northern Wei dynasty built the first Shaolin temple near the Sung Mountain in the Honan province. The Shaolin temple as with many other Buddhist temples, experienced great turbulence through history. Depending on the values and beliefs of the ruling class, the Shaolin temples either flourished or were burned to the ground outlawing the practice of Buddhism and martial arts. Remanding the followers of Shaolin to practice underground, or disband all together. There are several temples throughout history that are responsible for contributing to the wealth of "Shaolin" martial arts: the Honan Temple, Fukien Temple, Shantung Temple, Omei Shan Temple, and Kwangtung Temple. Buddhist temples throughout Asia have been instrumental in the founding and preservation of martial arts for the last 1,500 to 2,000 years.

Bodhidarma or "Tamo", an itinerant monk from India is widely accepted as the main contributor or founder of Shaolin Kung Fu as well as Buddhism. Many believe that Tamo taught the monks of Shaolin a way of fitness and self-defense that may have been very similar to modern day qigong and yoga practice. This form of movement taught by Bodhidarma was called the "muscle-tendon changes" classic (I-Chin Ching). The monks were spending hours upon hours in meditation without a complimentary regimen of fitness, leading to poor health and lethargy. This kinesthetic knowledge was most likely fused with the martial principles and concepts already existing in the Chinese culture, leading to the beginnings of Shaolin Kung Fu. At any rate, the Chinese people and Zen or Ch'an Buddhists around the world consider Bodhidarma to be somewhat of a patriarchal figure. His influence on Buddhism has been tremendous, and in the hearts and minds of the martial art practitioners everywhere, Bodhidarma has a significant place.

A few stories about Bohidarma

It is also believed that Bodhidarma lived in a cave near the Shaolin monastery facing a wall for 9 years. Perhaps this should not be taken literally; rather we should view his facing a wall as a meditative endeavour concerning self-understanding.

One story gives an example of how disciplined Bodhidarma may have been. He is purported to have cut off his eyelids as a result of drifting off to sleep during meditation and where he cast aside his lids, a tea shrub grew. Thus the monks took to drinking tea to stay awake during meditation.

Bodhidarma is said to have had a "one armed" disciple, Hui-Ko. There are several stories that emphasize the importance of Hui-Ko and why the Shaolin monks bow with one hand. To put it simply, Hui-Ko was a follower of Bodhidarma and wished to study under him as a disciple. Bodhidarma repeatedly turned Hui-Ko down denying him tutelage. Finally, Bodhidarma stated to Hui-Ko that he would accept him when red snow falls from the sky. Anyway, the story continues with Hui-Ko having an epiphany; realizing the body to be a temporary vessel, and on a cold winter's day, chopped off one of his arms. He had cut off his left arm and as the blood sprang forth from the fresh wound, the blood froze and fell to the ground as red snow. Today, Shaolin monks and Shaolin martial art practitioners bow with one hand to signify the heritage of Bodhidarma and his teachings.