The Shaolin Temple is tucked away near Mount Songshan, which is nicknamed the Central Sacred Mountain, in the city of Dengfeng, in Central China's Henan Province.

What appeals to sightseers from home and abroad is the temple's special status on China's list of renowned scenic spots.

It is home to hundreds of Buddhist monks, who are best known for practising martial arts, and is considered to be one of the shrines of Chinese kung fu.

"In addition to enjoying watching local monks' stunts of agility and strength, visitors can find many historical spots or folk legends closely related to the mysterious martial arts," a monk named Yanchan said.

"In short, kung fu is the largest characteristic of the temple's tour."

Bodhidharma's Cave

The Shaolin Temple was established in AD 495.

At the time, Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386-534) ordered the establishment of a magnificent Buddhist temple for Bodhidharma, a knowledgeable monk who was coming from India to teach Buddhist scriptures to the Chinese.

After that, almost all of the major events in the history of the Shaolin Temple enjoyed a close relationship with martial arts.

Shaolin-style kung fu can be traced back about 1,500 years to Bodhidharma, who is credited with the original form.

Bodhidharma, a Mahayana Buddhist, left Sri Lanka for China in the 6th century and developed the Zen sect ?a Chinese Buddhist school.

Bodhidharma's Cave, a well-preserved historical site related to the Sri Lankan monk, has withstood centuries of social change.

According to historical records, the famous Buddhist arrived in the city of Guangzhou in South China in AD 527, several years before going to Mount Songshan.

Instead of touting the Buddhist scriptures at the very beginning, Bodhidharma spent nine years meditating about philosophical problems inside a cramped cave close to the top of the mountain.

Facing a large rock at the end of the cave, which was seven metres long by three metres wide, Bodhidharma meditated for most of the day as he was so engrossed in Buddhist theories.

Legend says sunlight burnt an image on the surface of the rock in front of him.

In order to commemorate a monk with such unparalleled will-power, people named the historical site Bodhidharma's Cave. In addition to protecting the cave from demolition, monks moved the valuable stone inside the temple and occasionally presented it with tributes.

"The reason is obvious," Yanchan said. "The rock is one of the treasures of the Shaolin Temple.

"Another valuable legacy left by the famous founder of the Chinese Zen sect is martial arts."

It is said that Bodhidharma was accustomed to doing exercises by imitating a tiger, monkey, scorpion and mantis during the intervals in his meditation.

Over time the original form of martial arts came into being.

Due to the efforts of the original monks and those of later generations, the art was constantly improved and formalized.

Practising kung fu has become commonplace among monks since then.

Thousand-Buddha Hall

Paying a visit to the Thousand-Buddha Hall is another must for sightseers.

Though more than 1,000 years have gone by, the 48 depressions on the ground are still easy to see.

According to tour guides, the hall was the same location where ancient monks formed lines and practised martial arts day after day.

Monks used all their strength while practising kung fu, breaking bricks under their feet and leaving depressions on the ground.

"Contemporary monks practised kung fu in the open air. Otherwise, over time, these depressions might become deep holes," Yanchan said with a smile.

Delicate murals inside the Shaolin Temple should not be ignored as many of them describe major historical events or interesting stories. Among them the mural entitled "Thirteen Monks Save Prince Li Shimin from Danger" is the most renowned.

The event happened in the early Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).

In order to unite the whole country, Li Shimin led his troops to capture the city of Luoyang, which was controlled by the powerful warlord Wang Shichong.

Unfortunately, Li's troops were defeated and the prince was caught by the warlord's soldiers.

The city of Luoyang was only about 50 kilometres from the Shaolin Temple so the monks heard the bad news quite soon.

Out of deep love towards the wise prince, the abbot decided to send 13 monks with superb martial arts skills to save him from jail.

Disguised as ordinary folk, the monks entered the prison and succeeded in rescuing the incarcerated prince.

With the help of 500 monks, the prince's troops conquered the enemy days later.

After Li ascended the throne years later, he returned to the temple in a bid to show his gratitude.

The emperor praised the Shaolin Temple, saying it was the top temple in the country.

In addition, he made the 13 monks generals.

What amazed people most was that the emperor allowed all monks inside the temple to eat meat.

According to Buddhist scriptures, monks should be strict vegetarians.

However, in the eyes of the emperor, meat could provide more nutrients to the monks practising kung fu, compared to vegetarian foods.

"It is just a legend," Yanchan said.

"Actually all the monks inside the temple have strictly conformed to the Buddhist creeds for about 1,500 years."

In his opinion, it is the long-time physical training that plays the major role in building up kung fu practitioners' physique rather than eating meat.

The menu for ordinary monks includes only rice, tofu, cucumbers and eggplants.

In addition to kung fu, monks have to climb mountains for more than one hour each day to improve their physique.

Nowadays, members of the 180-strong Shaolin Kung Fu Troupe travel the world performing their craft before audiences.

( China Daily August 10, 2002)