Research Paper on:
Overview of the Shaolin Temple

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preached what was known at that time as the "lesser vehicle" (A Brief History of Shaolin Temple), a somewhat unusual religion that promoted self-extrication. Buddhism continued gaining exposure when  an Indian monk named Bodhidharma took up residency at the temple, where he helped spread the word about Buddhism - the main religion at the temple - by sitting tall  while deeply meditating, a practice that kept his mind both tranquil and impermeable to outside influence. Bodhidharma, also known as Da Mo, was considered to be a revolutionary teacher  when it came to Buddhist studies, inasmuch as he outwardly "rejected the Buddhist scriptures and advocated discipline and dedication through meditation as the path to enlightenment. Only in this  way could one see with a clear heart ones true nature" (A Brief History of Shaolin Temple). This is what ultimately came to be known as Zen Buddhism. Attaining  enlightenment was Da Mos premiere objective, a mission he sought by seeking nine years of solitude in a mountainous cave far atop the temple. He exercised regularly as a  means by which to address fatigue, which consisted of the fundamental movements and deep breathing typically associated with meditation. Da Mo shared his physical insights with the other monks  when he returned after nine years, realizing how completely out of shape - both physically and mentally - they all were. If they were to perform "even the most  basic of Buddhist meditation practices" (A Brief History of Shaolin Temple), they had to improve upon these weaknesses. Shaolin Gong-Fu continued to evolve into a method for developing health  and strength of ones mind and body; it was forbidden to use this strength for anything violent unless one was purging evil. One was bound to remain pure of