Exploring the Origins and Legacy of Shaolin Temple
It is said that a Buddhist monk from India named Buddhabhadra, or Ba Tuo in Chinese, came to China during Emperor Xiaowen’s reign during the Northern Wei Dynasty period in 495AD. The emperor was impressed by Buddhabhadra and offered support for teaching Buddhism at court. Nevertheless, Buddhabhadra declined and was granted land to establish a temple on Mt. Song. Thus, he constructed Shaolin, which translates to “small forest.”