# Shaolin Sect > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Shaolin_Sect > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Shaolin_Sect.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Sect > Source revision: 1348747605 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Fictional martial arts sect}} {{about|the fictional martial arts sect|the real-life martial arts school|Shaolin Kung Fu}} {{Infobox Chinese|c=少林派|p=Shàolín Paì|j=Siu{{sup|3}}-Lam{{sup|4}} Paai{{sup|3}}}} thumb|Shaolin show The '''Shaolin Sect''' or '''Shaolin School''' ({{zhl|c=少林派}}), sometimes also referred to as '''Shaolin Monastery''' or '''Shaolin Temple''', is a fictional martial arts sect or school mentioned in several works of [wuxia](/source/wuxia) fiction. It is commonly featured as one of the leading orthodox sects in the ''[wulin](/source/Jianghu)'' (martial artists' community) and based in [Shaolin Monastery](/source/Shaolin_Monastery). == History == The Shaolin Sect was founded during the [Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms](/source/Five_Dynasties_and_Ten_Kingdoms) period by the Buddhist monk [Bodhidharma](/source/Bodhidharma),Cha, Louis. ''The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber'' (倚天屠龍記). ''Ming Pao'', 1961. who wanted his followers to practise martial arts for improving health and self-defence, as well as for more altruistic purposes such as protecting the weak and vulnerable. Shaolin members are also required to practise [Chan Buddhism](/source/Chan_Buddhism) in addition to martial arts. == Organisation == The Shaolin Sect is led by an [abbot](/source/Abbot_(Buddhism)) ({{zhl|c=方丈}}), who also oversees the [monastery](/source/Shaolin_Monastery). Shaolin members are ranked by generation; each member of a certain generation has a prefix before his [Dharma name](/source/Dharma_name) to indicate his position in the hierarchy. For example, in ''[Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils](/source/Demi-Gods_and_Semi-Devils)'', the most senior generation is the ''Xuan'' ({{zhl|c=玄}}) generation. The abbot is Xuanci and the senior monks such as Xuanji, Xuannan, Xuandu, and Xuanku have a ''Xuan'' prefix in their Dharma names. One of three protagonists in the novel, Xuzhu, is from the ''Xu'' ({{zhl|c=虛}}) generation, which is two generations after the ''Xuan''s.Cha, Louis. ''Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils'' (天龍八部). ''Ming Pao'', 1963. The sect is subdivided into several groups, which are in charge of different parts of the monastery or different aspects of daily activities. They include: * Abbot's [Vihāra](/source/Vih%C4%81ra) ({{zhl|c=方丈精舍}}), the abbot's quarters. * [Bodhidharma](/source/Bodhidharma) Hall ({{zhl|c=達摩院}}), the training grounds for only Shaolin martial arts. * [Arhat](/source/Arhat) Hall ({{zhl|c=羅漢堂}}), the meeting grounds with challengers from other sects. * [Prajñā](/source/Praj%C3%B1%C4%81_(Buddhism)) Hall ({{zhl|c=般若院}}), another training grounds, where other sects' martial arts are also practised. * Discipline Hall ({{zhl|c=戒律院}}), the group in charge of maintaining law and order in the sect. * [Bodhi](/source/Bodhi) Hall ({{zhl|c=菩提院}}), where the ''[Yijin Jing](/source/Yijin_Jing)'' is kept. * [Bhaishajyaraja](/source/Bhaishajyaraja) Hall ({{zhl|c=藥王院}}), the hospital wing for the sick and injured. * [Śarīra](/source/%C5%9Aar%C4%ABra) Hall ({{zhl|c=舍利院}}), the crematorium. * Guest Hall ({{zhl|c=知客院}}), the reception grounds for guests. * Library ({{zhl|c=藏經閣}}), where Buddhist scriptures and martial arts manuals are kept. == Martial arts == In wuxia fiction, there is a popular saying that all forms of [Chinese martial arts](/source/Chinese_martial_arts) originated from Shaolin ({{zhl|c=天下武功出少林}}). Shaolin is also highly regarded as a leading "orthodox" sect in the ''[wulin](/source/Jianghu)''. In ''[Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils](/source/Demi-Gods_and_Semi-Devils)'', it houses 72 powerful forms of martial arts; no one has managed to master all since Shaolin was founded. These martial arts have Buddhist names, such as "[Bodhidharma](/source/Bodhidharma)'s Palm" and "[Arhat](/source/Arhat)'s Fist". Shaolin also houses the ''[Yijin Jing](/source/Yijin_Jing)'' ({{zhl|c=易筋經}}), a manual instructing users how to master a certain technique to improve their prowess in all types of martial arts. It has also powerful healing properties if the user manages to master the skill. In ''Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils'', You Tanzhi acquires the manual by chance and uses its skills to purge poison in his body after he is bitten by venomous creatures. The sutra also increases his ''[neigong](/source/neigong)'' and stamina, allowing him to deliver a simple palm strike and produce an impact of several times stronger than the original force. In ''[The Smiling, Proud Wanderer](/source/The_Smiling%2C_Proud_Wanderer)'', Linghu Chong uses the skills in the manual to heal his internal wounds.Cha, Louis. ''The Smiling, Proud Wanderer'' (笑傲江湖). ''Ming Pao'', 1967. == Discontinued use of the name "Shaolin" in television series == The term "Shaolin Sect" was not used in two television series adapted from [Jin Yong](/source/Jin_Yong)'s novels. In [''The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber''](/source/The_Heaven_Sword_and_Dragon_Saber_(2009_TV_series)), a 2009 television series adapted from the [novel of the same title](/source/The_Heaven_Sword_and_Dragon_Saber), the Shaolin Sect is referred to as the Monks' Sect ({{zhl|c=僧人派}}). In [''Swordsman''](/source/Swordsman_(TV_series)), a 2013 television series adapted from ''[The Smiling, Proud Wanderer](/source/The_Smiling%2C_Proud_Wanderer)'', Shaolin Monastery is referred to as Divine Eagle Monastery ({{zhl|c=靈鷲寺}}). Although some viewers have expressed dissatisfaction over the changes, the reasons behind the renaming are not made clear to the public. Some people believe that the producers wanted to avoid [trademark infringement](/source/trademark_infringement), since the real-life Shaolin Monastery, under [Shi Yongxin](/source/Shi_Yongxin)'s leadership, has officially registered "Shaolin" as a trademark and has been involved in lawsuits with commercial companies over the use of "Shaolin" as a brand name or trademark.{{cite web|title=Shaolin temple fights to protect trademark|date=1 August 2007|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-08-01/news/27677444_1_shaolin-temple-shi-yongxin-famous-temple|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218032451/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-08-01/news/27677444_1_shaolin-temple-shi-yongxin-famous-temple|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 18, 2014|website=The Economic Times|access-date=26 April 2017}} == See also == * [Shaolin Kung Fu](/source/Shaolin_Kung_Fu) * [Shaolin Monastery](/source/Shaolin_Monastery) * [Southern Shaolin Monastery](/source/Southern_Shaolin_Monastery) == Notes == {{reflist}} {{Condor Trilogy}} {{The Smiling, Proud Wanderer}} {{Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Shaolin School}} Category:Organizations in Wuxia fiction Category:Shaolin Monastery --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Shaolin Sect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Sect) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Sect?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.