The Spiritual Legacy of Shaolin Temple: Buddhism, Daoism and the Energetic Arts (Wisdom Publications 2004)
I was asked to write a book on Buddhism and Daoism by Wisdom Publications while I was looking for a publisher for “Ageless Wisdom Spirituality”. It explores the remarkable fact that about 1500 years ago, the obscure Shaolin Temple in rural China gave birth to two traditions which are now global – a new form of Buddhism called Mahayana and more specifically “Chan”, which later became “Zen” when it reached Japan; the famous “fighting Shaolin Monks” pioneered what became known as the Asian martial arts, firstly in China and then Korea, Japan and further afield.
The legendary source of these traditions was Bodhidharma, an Indian monk. This book compares the Indian and Chinese spiritual traditions including different forms of meditation and traditions of subtle energy, Indian Prana and Chinese Qi. It also explains the concepts within the Chinese martial arts between “external” and lesser known “internal family” systems like taijiquan, baguazhang and xingyiquan.
Reviews for The Spiritual Legacy of Shaolin temple:
I just finished reading “The Spiritual Legacy of Shaolin Temple”. It is a great book and has motivated me to make some changes in my life. I agree with your ideas about why interest does not translate into action. I have been one of those people.
Don G