The 72 Secret and Accomplished Arts of the Shaolin Temple, also known as ‘Kungs’ or Fighting Exercises’, involve extreme training but can produce amazing results. Two related examples are described, as well as practical details of training intensity and duration, and the basic, simple but highly effective traditional training aids used to acquire these particular skills.
Introduction
Actually, there are many more than 72 Shaolin Temple Secret Arts. Various authorities have produced different equally authentic lists, although they have much in common. Yang/Yin, Gang/Rou and Internal/External are descriptors used to classify these fighting exercises or ‘Kungs’
‘Kungs’ mainly involve soft ‘Yin Rou Energy’ training (mainly internal) or hard ‘Yang Gang Power’ training (mainly external), although some involve both.
picking flower art
Technical analysis
By developing the strength of the first two fingers and the thumb, the art of picking flowers requires patience and perseverance for students to master and is an external Shaolin exercise of Yin Rou energy training.
The fingers and thumbs are not as strong as the palms or fists, but training them enriches many other aspects of Kung Fu performance, including the various Shaolin open hand and claw hand techniques. As the Shaolin maxim makes clear: ‘Fists are weaker than palms, palms are not as fierce as fingers’!
method
Make a Kung Fu ‘crane’s beak’ with the first two fingers curled and the thumb, middle and forefinger touching. Rub your thumb from the first finger slowly to the second and back in a clockwise circular motion before repeating this counterclockwise the same number of times. Students’ initial fatigue and aches will disappear with continued regular practice, and after a year, their fingers will be hard and strong.
Next, use three round soybeans (it may take a week or more before you can easily pick three at a time) and try to crush them between your thumb and fingers until you can on your first try. This stage usually lasts up to two years.
Finally, two or three small pieces of sandstone (or similar friable rock) replace the beans until you can deal with them in the same way. Another two years are required for this, making five in all.
Stone Pointing Arts
Technical analysis
This exercise uses the index and middle fingers (the other two are firmly folded in the palm) which are then repeatedly pushed into solid objects, such as walls, trees, or even metal plates. This is an external exercise of “hard power” by Yang Gang. As the Shaolin maxim goes: ‘Fists hit one point, fingers kill points’!
method
Make a square wooden frame, fill it with thick mud or clay, and let it dry until solid. Then, with pencil or marker, trace a series of small circles on its exposed side. Use your fingers to trace a circle repeatedly until a slight depression is made (this can take weeks) and then treat the next one in a similar way (this should be quicker and easier) and so on until the mold is broken.
Finally, a sandstone pillar embedded in the ground receives the same treatment until it, too, collapses. Tremendous strength can be developed in the fingers. Former Shaolin students were advised to train their left hand instead of their right to avoid accidentally hurting others.
general
The two complementary techniques enrich the Kung Fu of those who master them in various ways. There are others (like Guan Yin Palm) that can further strengthen them. Related groups of these exercises represent a more cost-effective practice than isolated unrelated techniques. The Kungs, once attained, after years of practice remain for life.
Ratings
one. See also: ‘Shaolin Kung Fu Secret Fighting Drills: Golden Dragon Hand! and ‘Shaolin kung Fu secret fighting exercises; Windlass Training (or Bucket Lifting Arts’ by the same author!