Shaolin Kungfu is a traditional martial art that is highly respected and revered throughout the world. Shaolin kung fu practitioners, namely Shaolin monks, are recognized as highly committed fighters. However, Shaolin kung fu is not just a martial art, it is part of a spiritual life based on Buddhism. People who want to become Shaolin monks must change their lifestyle completely, such as leaving their family, freeing themselves from certain pleasures that seem natural, and dedicating themselves completely to living according to their beliefs.
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Part 1 of 3: Knowing the Basics of Shaolin Monk Life
Step 1. Understand what it means to be a Shaolin monk
First of all, you need to read as many posts as possible about what it really means to be a Shaolin monk. Find out the duties, obligations, responsibilities and other qualifications that a Shaolin monk must fulfill. Instead of just fighting, they practice kung fu as a way of controlling physical desires by imitating the beauty of animal movements to harmonize with nature. There are many books to read for studying philosophy, Buddhism, and meditation.
- Learn about the history of Shaolin kung fu and its development over 1,500 years.
- Know that not all Shaolin monks make great fighters. They are Buddhist monks who practice kung fu with Shaolin techniques, but they are not fighting monks.
- Find out the rules that Shaolin monks must follow.
- Learn the philosophy and spiritual aspects of Shaolin kung fu.
Step 2. Know that practicing Shaolin kung fu is not just learning to fight
Shaolin Kung Fu teaches a mindset and lifestyle that helps a person become a balanced, tough, and self-aware person. Aspects of Shaolin kung fu martial arts are only physical manifestations of understanding spirituality that Shaolin monks need to learn and apply.
- Practicing Shaolin kung fu is one way of understanding Buddhism.
- You must practice kung fu intensely, control yourself and meditate if you join a Shaolin temple.
- Shaolin monks must be fully committed and dedicated to living a life according to the teachings of the Buddha.
Step 3. Study Buddhism
The foundation of Shaolin spirituality is Buddhism. You need to understand what it means to live a Buddhist life in order to understand what it means to be a Shaolin monk. Before making a decision, set aside some time to study Buddhism. Take the next step if you really want to become a Buddhist.
Part 2 of 3: Understanding Shaolin Buddhism
Step 1. Make a commitment to study Buddhism
Once you understand the basics and know what it means to be a Shaolin monk and a Buddhist, make a commitment to live a life according to Buddhism. This decision was the first real step towards becoming a Shaolin monk. As a Buddhist, you must understand the "Four Noble Truths":
- Suffering is a part of life.
- The desire for material possessions and for worldly pleasures is one of the main causes of suffering.
- We can free ourselves from suffering by resisting the desire.
- We can experience true happiness or "nirvana" by living life according to a certain way, namely the Noble Eightfold Path.
Step 2. Apply the Noble Eightfold Path in your daily life
Shaolin monks must apply the Noble Eightfold Path taught in Buddhism while living their daily lives. This teaching aims to improve your lifestyle and your perception of other people. This understanding changes the way we interact with friends, family members, and strangers. To find more information, visit
Step 3. Change your diet
You have to eat according to the principles of Buddhism and the rules of the Shaolin temple. This diet is one of the teachings of Buddhism and the commitment of the Shaolin monks to self-control and lust control, but is very difficult for the layman to implement.
- Reduce food consumption. Do not eat too much.
- Don't eat animal meat.
- Avoid simple carbohydrates.
- Eat unprocessed foods. Almost all monks apply this rule at every meal, but for beginners, make gradual dietary changes starting with 1 serving per day.
Part 3 of 3: Becoming a Shaolin Monk
Step 1. Meet a Shaolin teacher or monk in your city/country
Find out the whereabouts of Shaolin kung fu practitioners in your city/country. He can explain how to find information about Shaolin kung fu and the steps that need to be taken to realize the desire to become a Shaolin monk. If you live in the United States, there are many Shaolin temples and organizations ready to help. Before deciding to become a monk, take the time to discuss with one of the teachers or monks in the following locations.
- Shaolin Temple in New York City, United States.
- Shaolin kung fu organizations in other countries.
- Maybe you should take a trip if there are no practitioners or teachers in your city.
Step 2. Register as a student at your local Shaolin temple
After gathering information and understanding the basics, the next step is to visit a Shaolin temple to meet people who have attended training at a Shaolin temple. Kung fu masters at several US monasteries were students in Shaolin, China. However, Shaolin kung fu training in the US or other countries may be less intensive and incomplete than in China.
Step 3. Consider options for studying at a Shaolin temple in China
If you don't want/can't practice at a temple in your city/country, take a trip to China as the birthplace of Shaolin kung fu. Many Shaolin temples accept new students there. Learning kung fu in China can be the best way to become a Shaolin monk, but you need to consider the following:
- Training takes place full time. You must be so dedicated to practicing kung fu that you cannot work, socialize outside the temple, or engage in other activities.
- Travel and training costs are very expensive.
- Shaolin temples in China are numerous and of varying quality. So, take the time to find information before traveling.
Step 4. Register as a student at the Shaolin temple
You can become a monk if you are accepted as a student in a training program at a Shaolin temple. You will be ordained as a Shaolin monk if you are able to undergo the training program according to the temple regulations. Then, you will become a monk who undertakes one of the following tasks:
- Clerical monks, namely monks who perform daily rituals of worship.
- Teaching monks, namely monks who dedicate themselves to the world of education and knowledge.
- Fighting monks, namely monks who focus on the martial aspect of Shaolin kung fu.
Step 5. Apply the teachings of Buddhism consistently
After being ordained as a monk, you must live a life according to the teachings of the Buddha. Your life will change drastically. Many things have to be abandoned and can no longer be done because of the Shaolin monks:
- have to live a celibate life.
- do not eat animal meat.
- do not drink alcohol and smoke.
- reject material possessions, worldly pleasures, and a culture of consumerism.
Step 6. Consider the option of becoming a lay monk
There are students who attend training to become monks, but are not required to apply the strict teachings of Buddhism. They are lay monks. This option is suitable for people who cannot dedicate their whole life to implementing very strict rules.
- Lay monks can marry and have side jobs.
- Lay monks may smoke and drink alcohol occasionally.
- Lay monks may eat animal meat.
