What can you tell me about East Indian influences to the Martial Arts of Asia?
http://www.kalaripayattu.org/

[This message has been edited by Shotokan (edited 03-07-2004).]

The earliest formalized martial arts systems come from India. It' s sometimes boasted that one art is "the oldest MA" (as in thios web site). The boast is a bit of a misrepresentation though. Martial Arts, when understood more loosely (and paradoxically more literally), is actually older than huamninty. As for kalaripayattu being the mother of all MA's this is probably false. Even though it is most probably the oldest formalized system of martial arts, and is also probably the historic basis for many asian martial arts, there is good evidence to suggest that different martial arts evolved independently of one another all over the world. Greek Pankras and wrestling, although younger than kalaripayattu, are probably not derived from it . I say probably, but that's cuz my research is only just getting off the ground and there are some waky but respectable historians (in the minority)who may have something different top say.

Alexander the great conquered half of India about 324 B.C. most of that territory became culturally Greek for a while, there are similiarities whether coincidental or not between Greek martial arts as they stood at that time and Indian martial arts, and even some Chinese martial arts. Much of Raja Yoga resembles the psychophysical exercises ofancient Greek soldiers. On top of that untill Christianity the religion practiced as far west as Spain, in Italy and Greece through Iran and into India was very similiar, compare sometime the Upanishadic concept of Atman and Brahman with the earlier Greek concept of the Logos and Logoi Spermaticoi.

[This message has been edited by WADO (edited 05-06-2004).]

Chinese martial art(wushu) are said to be brought to china when a monk brought buddhism to china. He found out that chinese monks at that time were weak are they do not eat meat, thus their concentration while meditating was poor. Martial art was taught to strengthen their body. Qi gong were taught to balance the body and mind.

There was a saying "Tian xia wu gong chu shaolin" All martial art "in china" originated from shaolin.

Recent studies from China researchers says otherwise. Martial art may have a further root in He Nan, China. Martial art may have been passed down from there. Still, India martial had a great influence on Chinese martial art.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by azultkd:
Chinese martial art(wushu) are said to be brought to china when a monk brought buddhism to china. He found out that chinese monks at that time were weak are they do not eat meat, thus their concentration while meditating was poor. Martial art was taught to strengthen their body. Qi gong were taught to balance the body and mind.

There was a saying "Tian xia wu gong chu shaolin" All martial art "in china" originated from shaolin.

Recent studies from China researchers says otherwise. Martial art may have a further root in He Nan, China. Martial art may have been passed down from there. Still, India martial had a great influence on Chinese martial art.[/QUOTE]

Are you referring to Bodhidharma? [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]