New to the idea of getting external help, too. I have several questions about this path after read this Q&A: - https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/15535/new-to-buddhism - https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/17540/how-to-get-to-nirvana What attracted me to buddhism was - Meditation: Practice it many times on Padmasana because I thought that was the unique meditation form. Then I knew I can meditate over a skateboard, too. - Mindfulness: Dreaming about achieving it. - Hatha Yoga: Practiced it many times. - Ninjutsu: Practiced it several months on Bujinkan Dojo school (not a recommendation to go there). The concepts I got from Japanese culture were great though. They are attached to Buddhism but I think they misimpreted the message. - Kriya yoga: Autobiography of a yogi. Some of my greater achievements: - Leave drugs - Leave alcohol - Became vegan - Practiced a lot in the non-attachment in objects and people too. These questions are general, mine are more precise. Please be open minded about my questions, they are very real. - *Was Buddha an artist of our times?* **Edit:** I know a lot of teachers, I don't know any monks I can remember. - What's special about Buddha? - Why should someone follow him? - I see this like being someone else. Is this a bad concept about Buddhism? - Why he has *in fist sight* all the answers? - I read that is some kind of comparison about Buddhism schools and Cristians religions, but I learned that Buddhism is not a religion but a lifestyle. Is it or not? - About Yin and Yang, is that part of Buddhism? - The 12 universal laws are part of Buddhism? That's all for the moment. Oh, I forgot, the most important one: About this little part of me you could read, is there a school recommendation? Thanks for reading.

It is [known](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Monastery) that Shaolin monks practice a form of [Chan Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chan_Buddhism) . It is also [known](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Kung_Fu) that they practice their own form of martial arts. * What is the doctrinal justification for their practice of martial arts? * Additionally/alternatively, within the Shaolin view of Buddhism, are martial arts purported to have soteriological effect? * Lastly, as a bonus, are there any academic studies exploring the Shaolin doctrines? I found [an answer](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/9246/buddhist-shaolin-monks-and-their-practice) regarding their practices in general, but not about the doctrinal basis. Thanks.

I'm listening to a lecture series about child development and in the first lecture it advocates teaching children martial arts as an aid to enhancing their self-control. I would quite like my daughter to learn a martial art (if she wants to). However I feel a bit conflicted about it as surely the lessons themselves are learning how to assault people or at the very least engage in potentially violent behaviour. Is it justifiable for a Buddhist to learn or advocate the learning of a martial art? I appreciate that there is a cultural connection between martial arts and Buddhism in some cultures? How are the ethics of it dealt with? Generally how can I take my daughter off to a Buddhist family retreat one week then whisk her off to learn how to attack people the next? That seems inherently conflicted? Is it?

I once saw a television program about Buddhist shaolin monks. They were extremely skilled in martial arts and begin their training as young as 3-4 years old. Their day consists of martial arts training and Buddhist practice. I was wondering about two things: - What Buddhist tradition do shaolin monks follow? - What kind of meditation do they practice? Thank you for your time. Lanka _Click on photos for full size_ [](https://i.sstatic.net/sJmiN.jpg) [](https://i.sstatic.net/3yEWN.jpg) [](https://i.sstatic.net/nKVrY.jpg) [](https://i.sstatic.net/BcOv5.png)