The 72 Secret and Consummate 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, along with practical details of training intensity and duration, and simple, but highly effective, basic traditional training aids used to acquire these particular skills.
Introduction
Actually, there are much more than 72 Shaolin Temple Secret Arts. Various authorities have produced different lists that are equally authentic, although they have much in common. Yang/Yin, Gang/Rou and Internal/External are descriptors used to classify these fighting exercises or ‘Kungs’
The ‘kungs’ mainly involve either light ‘Yin Rou Energy’ training (mainly internal) or hard ‘Yang Gang Power’ training (mainly external), although some involve both.
picking flower art
Technical analysis
Developing the strength of the first two fingers and the thumb, the art of flower picking requires patience and perseverance for students to master and is an external Shaolin exercise in Yin Rou energy training.
The fingers and thumbs are not as strong as the palms of the hands or fists, but training them enriches many other aspects of Kung Fu performance, including the various open hand and claw hand techniques of Shaolin. As the Shaolin maxim makes clear: ‘Fists are weaker than palms, palms are not as fierce as fingers’!
method
Make a Kung Fu ‘crane beak’ with the first two fingers curved and the thumb, middle and index fingers touching. Rub your thumb from the first finger slowly to the second and back in a clockwise circular motion before repeating counterclockwise the same number of times. Students’ initial fatigue and aches will go away with continued regular practice, and after a year, their fingers will be hard and strong.
Next, take three round soybeans (it may take a week or more before you can easily pick three at once) and try crushing them between your thumb and fingers until you can do it 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 the same way. Another two years are required for this, making five in total.
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 says: ‘Fists hit a 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 a pencil or marker, trace a series of small circles on its exposed face. Use your fingers to trace a circle repeatedly until a slight depression is made (this may take weeks) and then treat the next 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 also 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 (such as Guan Yin Palm) that can further strengthen them. Related groups of these exercises represent a more profitable practice than isolated unrelated techniques. The Kungs, once achieved, after years of practice remain for life.
Ratings
1. See also: ‘Secret Shaolin Kung Fu Fighting Exercises: Golden Dragon Hand! and ‘Secret Shaolin Kung Fu Fighting Exercises; Pinwheel Training (or Bucket Lifting Arts’ by the same author!
