On China’s sacred Mount Emei, Buddhist nuns are preserving a centuries-old martial tradition. Trained in Emei-style Kung Fu, these warrior women balance spiritual discipline with remarkable martial skill. Discover how they compare to Shaolin monks, how they train, and why their legacy still matters today.
Preparing to train kung fu—whether at home or in China—is about more than fitness. This guide explores how to approach your journey from all angles: mental, physical, and cultural. Learn what to expect, how to prepare, and why anyone—regardless of background—can begin.
At the heart of Shaolin Kung Fu lies Wǔdé (武德), the moral code that guides warriors to train with humility, fight with compassion, and live with purpose. In this post, we explore the ethical foundation of Shaolin training—from the virtues of respect and righteousness to the inner discipline of a still mind—and how these principles continue to shape martial artists around the world today.
In the final part of our series featured in Martial Arts Magazine Australia, we explore the incredible depth of styles, forms, and weapons taught at the Shaolin Temple. Far from being a fixed curriculum, Shaolin Kung Fu is a living archive—home to over 700 forms and a vast arsenal of traditional weapons. This section reveals how the temple preserves, adapts, and transmits martial knowledge through hands-on tradition, discipline, and purpose.