2,500 years ago Buddhism was founded in Nepal. About 2,100 years ago Buddhism spread to India. 1,500 years ago an Indian Monk called Bodhidharma (Da Mo in Chinese) travelled to China and he developed the teachings of Chan Buddhism.

495 A.D. The Shaolin Monastary is built in Henan Province. The first Abbot is "Ba Tuo". Ba Tuo received the land at the foot of the Shao She Mountain from the Chinese Emperor to build the monastery. The name Shaolin comes from the Shao She Mountain and from the forest that surrounds it. The Chinese word for forest is "Lin" and for temple it is "Su". Shao Lin Su = Shaolin Temple.

Ba Tuo's Lineage
The first lineage was very short. It consisted solely of Ba Tuo, the founder of the Shaolin Temple. Ba Tuo's lineage was short because he taught Xiao Xing Buddhism. This was a very restrictive form of Buddhism.

527 A.D.
Da Mo's Lineage
Bodhidharma (his Indian name) or Da Mo in Chinese, arrives in China. Da Mo is very influential as he is bringing the teachings of Chan Buddhism to the Shaolin Temple. Chan is also known as Zen Buddhism.
Da Mo found the monks at the Temple in poor health. He introduced 4 forms to improve their health:
1. Yi Jin Jing (Chi Kung): muscle and tendon washing form
2. Xi Xue Jing (Chi Kung): bone marrow washing form
3. Lohan Shi Ba Shou (Kung Fu): 18 Lohan movements from which develops the 18 Lohan forms. Later the 54 Lohan forms and then the 108 Lohan forms develop from the original 18 movements.
4. Wu Xing Shou (Five Animal Kung Fu Forms): Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, Crane and Snake forms.

page 2