“Buddhism and Martial Arts are one. The study of martial arts requires great concentration. When a person focuses their mind on practicing their martial arts, they clear their mind of all distracting thoughts. This is analogous to Ch’an (Zen) meditation, where a person tries to settle their mind of all distracting thoughts. This also involves the question of “body and will.” Even when a martial artist practices their form with their body in motion, they are still cultivating their mind. It is the same with meditation. When a person sits in meditation, they are cultivating their mind, even though they are motionless. In the martial arts, a person is in motion, yet is still cultivating their mind. Martial arts is a vehicle to practice Ch’an Buddhism and is a part of Shaolin’s unique culture.”
Shi Guolin
