[Buddha-l] Chinese Zen connections with the martial arts

[Hal Cooper]

> The connection between Chinese Zen or Ch'an and the empty-hand martial
> arts seems to be mostly myth (i.e., the 6th century Bodhidharma
connection).
>
> I had a graduate student many years ago who wanted to work on the
> connection with Chinese Ch'an and the martial arts for his project.
> He was certain that Bodhidharma had brought Indian fighting skills to
> China.
> I don't recall the specific details,
The monks were getting lazy and fat so Bodhidharma concocted all the Kung Fu
stuff for them to get in shape and focus their minds.  Even if it isn't
technically true, why blemish the dream?  Bodhidharma is so timeless anyway.
Who's to say?  Perhaps there is some special emanation of Bodhidharma that
tought these monks some Kung Fu in a mystical way that doesn't rely on
conventional ideas of time and space.  Where did he put that shoe?