[Buddha-l] Zen/Ch'an & Shaolin

[Kate Marshall]

Something to get you started, Steve:

>From Jstor:

1.  'The Chinese Martial Arts in Historical Perspective' - Stanley E.
Henning
2.  'Ming-Period Evidence of Shaolin Martial Practice' - Meir Shahar

>From memory, this one came from Jstor too:

3.  'Theater of combat: A critical look at the Chinese martial arts' -
Charles Holcombe

Books:

4.  'Barefoot Zen' - the Shaolin roots of Kung Fu and Karate - Nathan J.
Johnson  (Lots of interesting info, though I have mixed feelings on the book
in general.)
5. ' The Bodhisattva Warriors' - The origin, inner philosophy, history and
symbolism of the Buddhist Martial Art within India and China - Shifu
Nagaboshi Tomio.  (Some readers totally rubbish it, others consider it a
treasure.)

Also, regarding the use of military practices for spiritual expression and
evolution:

 6. 'When the Body Becomes All Eyes' - Paradigms, discourses and practices
of power in Kalarippayattu, a South Indian Martial Art - Phillip B.
Zarrilli.  This is from the Hindu perspective.  However, considering
Kalarippayattu and Buddhist martial arts are said to share a common ancestor
and that some of the Buddhist techniques were incorporated into
Kalarippayattu c.1000 CE, it makes an interesting read.  In fact, all of
Zarrilli's writings do.  Further articles of his are available on Jstor and
the net.  In fact, I think much of 'When the Body becomes all eyes' is
available as a free download.

Not all of the above address your specific questions but could help with the
overall picture.

Regards
Kate