Top 10 Commandments of Shaolin Monks

Many would like to find the same fortitude, will, fearlessness and calmness that the Shaolin monks have.

Shaolinsi was founded in the Sunshan Mountains in 495. The place for the construction was not chosen by chance – Sunshan was considered the sacred mountain peak of China, where immortal Taoists lived and holy hermits settled. Each monk knows martial arts, their capabilities can be called truly unique …

Maybe it’s all about the principles that they adhere to and never violate? After all, as you know, self-discipline and control can do a lot. The Shaolins have their own commandments, following which the monks try to achieve enlightenment. We will learn about them now.

10 Strengthening the body and spirit

The main technique practiced by the monks is the strengthening of the spirit and body. They study from dawn to dusk, and cannot interrupt their studies at will.

It doesn’t matter what the weather is like outside – the monks wake up early and go to the mountainside. There, turning to the southeast, they perform breathing exercises so that the body is filled with energy.

Their daily routine includes a 15-minute tan – and it doesn’t matter if it’s winter or summer, the main thing is that it’s sunny. They believe that sunburn helps to destroy parasites and makes the body more resistant to various diseases.

9. Military equipment for self-defense

The monks improve their combat technique for the sake of self-defense, they do not use it for other purposes. Thus, they strengthen their blood, circulation of qi (internal energy), cultivate courage in themselves, and also become more courageous in battle.

The monks fight in any weather, and they believe that the best conditions for hardening are bad weather. Even in winter, the monks arrange a snow fight among themselves. To do this, everyone sculpts 100 shells of snow and prepare for battle. Usually such a battle ends with friendly laughter, their mood rises and overall well-being improves.

8. Respect Above All

Communicating with his mentor, each monk should be respectful to him and not allow such actions that would demonstrate his dismissive attitude and arrogance. With

the monks honor, value and respect their mentor, and, as you know, it is very difficult to earn respect from them. It is worthy of that monk who has achieved spiritual fruits. It is not customary to behave loudly and defiantly in the places of their ministry, no one talks about their merits.

7. Good relationship with your fellows

As already mentioned in the paragraph above, monks should not behave loudly and defiantly, in addition, each monk must be courteous with his brothers. This means that he needs to be gentle and sincere, you can’t lie.

Many should have introduced the commandments of the monks into the rules of conduct at school. After all, as you know, in schools there are often children who offend those who are weaker. Monks, on the other hand, cannot allow this – to offend the weak for them, flaunting their strength, this means losing their dignity. Humanity is above all else.

6. Deliberate display of your technique

Another commandment of the Shaolin monks says that if you meet a layman on your way while wandering, you need to honor the lowest with all accuracy and patience, and try to save him.

It is impossible to thoughtlessly teach your technique to lay followers, because it can cause harm, which will subsequently bring harm to the world, if you teach them the technique incorrectly, violating the basic principles of Buddhism. Only deliberate display of technique is permitted.

5. Combat skills are only for good deeds

Those students who have mastered martial techniques cannot waste their strength on something negative. Anyone who has learned the techniques of the Shaolin masters should not use their power to sort things out with any of their fellows.

But the desire to help is always welcome – the monks can use their power only for good purposes. You can provide mutual assistance, express warm and friendly feelings towards your fellow scholars.

4. Wine and meat are not allowed

Almost all Buddhists are vegetarians, but this is not necessary. There is no vow that would completely exclude the use of meat, it is more a recommendation than an obligation.

Buddhism is widespread in those regions in which, first of all, people were forced to survive – these are Eastern Siberia, Tibet, Mongolia.

These regions are harsh, and to completely prohibit the consumption of meat would mean limiting the diet of the monks, which is already meager. There is no such prohibition, but eating meat is still undesirable, firstly, the monks are against murder, and secondly, meat makes the spirit weaker, and wine takes away the will and reduces mindfulness.

3. Don’t get involved with the opposite sex

Monks do not accept passion for a woman or a man – from the point of view of Buddhism, this is unforgivable. The vow of monasticism is to exclude any sexual relations.

The thoughts of the monks are completely different things, being a Shaolin monk means having a strong spirit, and under the influence of our psyche we can do a lot and give up a lot. The ascetic way of life and prayers, faith and solitude do not allow the monks to think about the opposite sex.

2. Technique can only be taught to those who are pure and pure in character.

It is impossible to teach the technique to the laity thoughtlessly. To do this, you need to know well that the nature of man and his character are immaculate and pure. But in teaching he must be bold and inhuman, then the training will be successful. If a layman falls into such a sin as indulging in depraved desires, drinking wine, then an oath must be taken from this person that in the future he will observe the rules of decency and will not deviate from them.

1. Bragging about your technique is unacceptable

The commandment says that one must not only avoid the spirit of rivalry, but also greedy praise. With this, a person kills not only himself, but also poisons the lives of other people.

A person with the principles of self-praise who practices martial arts is considered the dregs of the Chan school. By such behavior, a person brings shame to this world, and this will be rewarded with death. The meaning of art is not at all in boasting.