The Bodhisattva Warriors

This unique study of the genesis and development of the earliest form of Buddhist self-defense practiced by Chuan Fa monks and mystics shows both the philosophical and physical basis of the skills developed and passed on to subsequent generations. There are many who mistakenly believe Buddhism to be a predominantly philosophical teaching that regards physical and spiritual being as incompatible, or even antagonistic, toward each other. This book seeks to reunite these concepts. Its teaching draws equally on the practices of North Chinese Chaan movement meditation traditions and on the South Chinese Esoteric (Mi Chiao) School–both secret traditions rarely revealed to the general public. The material is presented so readers can understand that what we think of as a competitive sport is really a meditation mandala in action. Extensive appendices list the main Chinese dynasties, a chronology of Buddhist Sutras, a chronological record of scriptures, teachers, events during 1000 years of Indian and Chinese Buddhism, and translations of Bodhidharma’s texts, including The Six Gates, Entering the Buddha’s Path, and The Treatise upon the Bloodline Teaching of True Dharma.