少林功夫声名远播，是中华武术文化的杰出代表。其套路结构严密紧凑，动作迅猛有力，攻防灵活有致。兵器是身体的延伸，少林棍是少林武僧使用最多、最常规的武器之一，被奉为“百兵之祖”。Shaolin kung fu is well-known both in China and around the world as one of the most prominent form of Chinese martial arts. It demands speed, strength, and dexterity. Weapons are an extension of the body, and it is extremely common to see Shaolin monks training or fighting with Shaolin staff. Shaolin staff is revered as “Chief of Weapons.”
释延衍今年17岁，是少林寺的一名武僧。他十岁开始习武，因在武校表现突出被引荐成为一名少林武僧，平常练的最多的就是棍。Shi Yanyan, 17 years old, is a monk of Shaolin Temple. He started learning martial arts since ten, and was recommended as a warrior monk due to his outstanding performance in the martial arts school. The staff is the most common weapon for him in daily practice. 释延衍, 少林寺武僧。Shi Yanyan is a monk of Shaolin Temple. /CGTN Photo
少林棍不仅内容广博，而且特点鲜明。枪扎一条线，棍打一大片，一扫一劈全身着力。它既能强身健体，又能防御攻击、克敌制胜，在历代抗敌中发挥过重要作用。但另一方面，与刀剑的锋利尖锐不同，棍为钝器，克敌而不伤敌，体现了佛教慈悲为怀的思想。The Shaolin staff boasts a wide range of techniques and distinctive features. The staff is a weapon that moves in all directions, while a spear goes in a straight line. Shaolin staff involves the practitioner’s movement from head to toe, allowing the practitioner to dominate a wider range and make stronger blows. It can be used for attack, defense, training and body conditioning, and played a crucial role for Shaolin monks in defending against enemies. However, on the other hand, unlike sharp swords or pointy spears, Shaolin staff is a kind of blunt weapon and allows the practitioner to defeat the opponent without killing them. This feature also echoes the Buddhist tenet of mercy. 少林棍法既能强身健体，又能防御攻击。Shaolin staff can be used for body conditioning as well as attack and defense. /CGTN Photo
一般人学习兵器，最先就是从棍法练起。少林棍法技术招式有很多，劈、盖、拦、挑、扫等等。少林棍法的家族里有六合棍、烧火棍、震山棍、哨子棍、阴手棍等80余种套路。六合棍是少林武术的精华，由六种棍法绝招组合而成，短兵相接、棍法简捷、一招制胜。Shaolin monks usually begin with practicing Shaolin staff when learning to use weapons. There is a variety of moves, and the practitioner can hack, strike the ground, block, strike upward or sweep. Shaolin staff consists of more than 80 forms, such as Six Harmony Staff, Stove Staff, Mountain-shaking Staff, Two-section Staff and Yin Hand Staff. Six Harmony Staff, made up of six unique skills, representing the essence of Shaolin kung fu: Fighting at close quarters, requiring concise techniques and a single movement can claim victory.少林棍法招式繁多，克敌而不伤敌。Shaolin Staff has a variety of moves, and be used to defeat the opponent without killing the other. /CGTN Photo
烧火棍，又称猿猴棒，是少林优秀棍法的代表，颇具实用价值。传说这套棍法是一位烧火做饭的僧人悟出，击退了攻入少林寺的匪寇，后被推崇为紧那罗王菩萨。随着时间的推移，武僧们的少林棍法不断改进，少林棍也凝结了僧人对棍的智慧和解读。Stove Staff, also called Ape Monkey Staff, is a representative of the weapon’s practicality. It is said the Stove Staff move was created by a monk in charge of tending fire and cooking. The monk protected the temple from attacks of bandits with this set of moves and was later revered as Kinnara deity. Over the centuries, the warrior monks have acquired a profound wisdom and perfected their staff fighting skills.烧火棍，少林优秀棍法的代表。Stove Staff, is a typical form of Shaolin Staff. /CGTN Photo
武术技艺和套路之外，佛教信仰、禅宗智慧，都是少林功夫的题中之义。少林棍也体现着“禅武合一”的思想。“禅修能帮我获得更稳定平和的心态，以一颗不浮躁和欢喜的心去认识自己。” In addition to its breathtaking feats of kung fu agility and skill, Shaolin kung fu also contains the essence of the Buddhism belief and Zen wisdom. Shaolin staff kung fu incorporates martial arts and Zen philosophy. “Zen helps me build a more stable and peaceful mind, and learn about myself with a moderate and delighted attitude,” said Shi. 往期链接： 少林朴刀：手握长柄，心定乾坤 | Shaolin Podao