The Legend of the Shaolin Monk's Fighting Staff

The Legend of the Shaolin Monk's Fighting Staff

According to the Historical Records of Henan Prefecture, in the year 1350 during the Yuan dynasty, the Red Turban Army made an attempt to attack the Shaolin Monastery. A monk who worked in the kitchen came out to defend the monastery brandishing a large chan (a wooden shovel used to mix rice in the gigantic monastery woks) that was ablaze in flames. A manifestation of the Kinnara King appeared, and the fierce looking deity scared away the Red Turbans. The monks later erected a worship hall in his honor, and he was given the honorific title The Bodhisattva King of the Kinnaras.

Image: Woodblock illustration of the Kinnara King (Jinnaluo Wang Pusa) from Historical Records of Shaolin Monastery (少林寺志 Shaolinsi Zhi)

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *