Original subtitles

"Shaolin is the origin of Kung Fu. "

There are Shaolin temples in Hebei, Fujian...

Zhejiang, Guangdong and Sichuan.

But where is the mystical and original...

Shaolin Temple that gave birth to Kung Fu?

Songshan is at the centre of China.

It's known as the "Central Mountain" and 1 of the 5 notable Chinese mountains.

Songyue Tower is the symbol of Songshan.

It's one of the oldest brick towers in China.

Songshan is in the mid-west of Henan Province.

It's divided in two parts.

Taishi Mountain on the East. Shaoshi Mountain on the West.

Songshan has an interesting shape.

From afar, it looks like a sleeping beauty.

The real origin of Shaolin Kung Fu...

is on the north side of Shaoshi, in the forest of Wuyu Hill.

Shaolin Temple was founded in 495 AD.

More than 1,400 years ago.

On Wuyu Hill, there's a Dharma Cave.

Legend has it...

that Dharma sat in this cave, with his face to the wall, for 9 years.

During that time, his image was projected and etched...

on this rock. It's now known as the Shadow Rock.

The rock is now in the Hall of 1,000 Buddhas.

The Hall of 1,000 Buddhas is the most interesting hall of Shaolin.

The 500 Arahans depicted on the mural are so vivid and diverse.

This is where the monks practice.

On the floor there are 48 puddle holes,

formed by monks practicing at wooden columns.

Practice makes perfect.

There is a mural depicting practicing monks...

in the Hall of White Gown.

It's like a illustrated manual of Shaolin Kung Fu.

"Curl up like a cat. " "Jump like a tiger. "

Are all clearly illustrated.

Experts can tell right away these are real Shaolin Kung Fu.

Shaolin Kung Fu has spread overseas since the Ming Dynasty.

Doshin So, a Japanese martial arts master, came to Shaolin Temple 40 years ago.

From the murals,

he created the Japanese Shaolin Style, with its myriad moves.

In Japan there are over 1 million pupils of them.

May 1980, Doshin So...

took his wife, daughter and the best pupils...

to the Shaolin Temple.

A plaque was set up to commemorate this visit.

He considers himself as a pupil of Shaolin.

There are lots of legends about Shaolin.

This film is based on the legend of...

"13 Monks Rescue the Emperor" as drawn on the murals.

THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE

Shaolin, Shaolin

How many heroes adore you

Shaolin, Shaolin

How many wonderful stories mentioned you

Your martial art is the only one in the world

The Shaolin Temple is famous everywhere

Its history lasts forever

The Shaolin Temple is splendid

The thousand years' old temple,

the mystic place,

the valley of Songshan,

every person dreams of,

the original place of martial arts,

the charming place,

is well-known everywhere,

Shaolin, Shaolin, Shaolin...

"Shaolin Temple" Shaolin, Shaolin, Shaolin...

Shaolin, Shaolin, Shaolin...

After this ceremony,

you are now monks.

Your bodies are now cleansed.

I'll tell you the Ten Commandments

to advise you to respect yourself,

and others.

Chueh-Yuan.

Firstly, thou shall not kill.

Can't you do that?

Thou shall not kill, can't you do that?

Thou shall not kill, can't you do that?

Those who don't work, shall be killed.

The end of the Sui Dynasty was marked by wars.

Heroes fought for the empire and divided the land.

The traitor Wang Shi Chuang

settled at Tung Tu,

named himself King Cheng, and ruled cruelly.

Li Shi Min and his army are already near Hwangho.

How can we defend with these weak men?

General, we really can't get strong men.

We even have to use the dying prisoners.

Bring all prisoners and Mighty Leg Chang to me.

Yes.

Hurry! Hurry!

Hold it.

They call you Mighty Leg Chang.

I'll break those legs.

Father.

Father.

Be careful.

- Hsiao Hu, run away. - Dad...

Father!

Ready?

Who is it?

Amida Buddha.

Abbot, more and more people are starving,

soon our property,

can't afford to feed the people.

To help them is our Buddhist's duty.

Amida Buddha!

From now on, tell those people to leave.

No one can stay here.

Abbot. This boy is seriously hurt and fainted.

Will you let him stay?

No.

That will bring us great trouble.

Jen Jih, to save one's life is important.

Talk no more.

Abbot. His identity is unknown,

I'm afraid he may bring us trouble...

Since Wang Jen-Tse settled, he killed the innocent,

that angered people.

Abbot, Buddhists should be kind.

Can you let him stay? Abbot...

Save him first.

Buddha bless him.

You are bringing yourself

into trouble.

Master, we can't put water into his mouth.

He is too weak.

We don't have rich food, maybe we can't save him.

How can we be like this,

what shall we do?

"Go as the wind, stand as a pine, sit as a bell, rest as a bow."

Then what are you doing?

We... we are practicing Toad Kung Fu.

Right.

Don't do that.

You offend the law,

face the wall for three days.

What?

Why do you follow me?

What are you laughing for? What's so funny?

As a monk, you should neither cheer nor anger.

You beast.

Master, kill it.

It's a sin, set it free.

Yeah.

Amida Buddha.

Amida Buddha.

Amida Buddha.

Master.

Master, I'm guilty.

What is it?

I committed murder.

"Save one's life and you can go to heaven."

The frog will be grateful if it knows.

Sure?

Monks won't cheat.

I do understand.

Painful?

No.

Thank you...

Let's talk again when you have recovered.

Master, congee with frog.

Wu Sha sent him two eggs.

She cares about him so much.

Master, how is the taste?

You should know.

He thinks he is smart.

The sun rises from Songshan

The morning bell wakes the birds

The streams runs along the woods

Grasses are green on the hillside

The fruits smell sweet, the flowers look pretty

The dogs hop, the rams run

Hold up the whip and flick softly

The song drifts along the mountain

Watch out!

Ya Wong, chase him.

Wo, Wo. Come on.

It's really coming.

Ya Wong, chase him.

I will go again.

Get away!

It's useless if one only knows how to eat and sleep.

"It's useless if one only knows how to eat and sleep."

Hey, wake up.

Oh, it's dead.

Who is it?

It's me...

What are you doing?

I want to take the shortcut to get water.

T'a Lin is the land for burying monks of Shaolin.

Nobody is allowed without the abbot's permission. Get out!

Yes!

I didn't mean to kill you.

I think it's good of me, to bury you

in this scenic place.

It's buried, that's pitiful.

Fairy would come if he smells the taste of dog's meat.

It's a pity that you are a monk.

Hsiao Hu.

Big Monk.

You are weak, this food is good for your health.

I...

You are not a Buddhist,

and you are outside the temple. You need not obey our law,

you may eat.

You have eaten before, haven't you?

This is usually cooked with ginger,

wolf berry's fruit...

But it is my first time

seeing it cooked this way.

You are tired from caring about me,

you should also eat some rich food.

Amida Buddha.

As a Buddhist, it's guilty even to think about it.

It's hard to enjoy such good food.

No one will come here, you may eat.

Master...

Master...

Master, during these years in Shaolin Temple,

we work more than we eat.

It's tiring. It's hard to get such rich food.

You have one.

Master, let's eat together.

These Buddhists came here despite the circumstances,

looks like they aren't so devoted after all.

Let's eat, it tastes good...

Master, then, aren't we breaking the law?

"With Buddha in your heart, wine and meat are nothing."

We must have Buddha in heart, and help people.

No need to worry about it too much.

I understand.

"With Buddha in your heart, wine and meat are nothing."

Brother Shih K'ung realized this already.

Big Monk, he?

Love can't be forgotten.

Shih K'ung,

wine increases sadness, don't get drunk.

We've eaten Hsiao Hu's dog

and we haven't got anything.

Master, monks have nothing,

nothing they could return.

Shih K'ung, aren't you hurt?

He's drunk.

The fool.

Shih K'ung.

Big Monk, he?

He looks drunk but he isn't drunk.

Looks drunk but not drunk?

Drunken stick?

Yes.

Years ago, when his wife was giving birth,

he was so happy that he bought a large pot of wine.

But, his wife had been killed

by the robber Wang Jen-Tse.

So he became very fond of wine.

Every day he is sad and drunk.

And that made him create the "Drunken Stick".

He has such smart Kung Fu, why doesn't he take revenge?

- He can't defeat that many enemies on his own. - Somebody...

Hide.

Get away.

Amida Buddha. It's a sin.

Ya Wong. Ya Wong.

Madam.

Did you see my dog?

Oh, you killed my dog.

No. Madam, please listen to me...

No, give me back my dog, give me back.

Is that enough? Otherwise, I'll hurt you.

You dare hit me?

As you are a girl, I let you hit me a few times.

If you continue, I'll hurt you.

Father.

Father?

Why are you so cruel to him? Look at these wounds.

It's him who's so cruel.

Madam, I didn't mean to...

No matter the reason,

I won't forgive the one who ate my dog.

Then you won't forgive me either?

You?

I also ate the dog.

Father, why do you shelter him?

So are you. He recovered so fast,

all because of your eggs and the goats' milk.

I...

Thank you.

I hate you, revenge instead of gratitude.

Look at this girl!

Is she really your daughter?

This girl had no mother since she was a baby.

At that time, I was being attacked by Wang Jen-Tse,

and was forced to hide myself in Shaolin Temple.

So I made her stay at a farmer's home.

The old man spoiled her because he had no kids.

I must kill Wang Jen-Tse for revenge.

Please teach me Shaolin Kung Fu.

The temple has rules,

Kung Fu is used for protection, it cannot be learnt by other people.

You aren't a Shaolin monk, I...

I'm willing to become a monk.

No killing.

It bit me.

The Temple's door is wide open, good men may enter.

He seems to enjoy killing.

The Temple cannot allow him.

Buddhists should be merciful.

Chueh Yuan is willing to cut his hair, he has been good.

Willing to do evil, willing to achieve goodness,

must work to save all people.

Chueh Yuan, what's the matter?

Master, I have been a monk for nearly three months,

besides getting water and cutting wood bricks, I stand here all day long,

when will you teach me Shaolin Kung Fu?

It's only three months, look at your senior brothers,

smoke coming out from their heads, holes made by their foots,

this Vajra breaking power,

needs three to five years of practice.

What? Just standing like that takes three to five years?

Remember, practice Kung Fu, don't fear bitterness.

I'll remember.

Chueh Yuan, good!

Stop it!

Shaolin Kung Fu is for defense and not for attacking.

You look like you enjoy killing.

You're punished to face the wall for three days!

Oh brother!

Brother.

- Aren't you afraid of being punished again? - I...

Go back to your work!

Should we regard killing a mosquito as a sin?

If that is so, how can I revenge my father's death?

Why should I be a monk without learning Kung Fu?

It is not that easy to be a monk.

I don't want to be a monk any more.

Master, please forgive me for leaving you.

Miss Pak, I own you a life.

I'll repay your kindness in the future.

She is pretty, let's bring her back with us.

She's such a wild girl. Let's kill her!

Stop it!

Thank you.

General, please taste these velvet ram's penis.

No.

They aren't any good without the girl.

It's a sin.

General, I have got some gaming food for you.

- Gaming food? - Oh, it's good!

Good.

General, watch out for her wildness.

Her wildness?... Her wildness?

- General! - What?

There's a kid outside the door. He has wounded several of us.

How come you are not dead yet, Kid?

This must be tough for you.

It wouldn't be any fun without her aggressiveness.

- Chueh Yuan! - It's you.

Oh, be careful!

He's drunk.

Drunken sword?

- Chueh Yuan! - You better run quickly.

- How about you? - I have to take revenge.

- Aren't you awake yet? - You are looking for death, Kid.

Run quickly!

Li Shih-Min? Let's chase!

Oh! You are bleeding!

Thank you.

I also thank you for saving my life.

Miss Pak, aren't you angry with me?

Angry for what?

I owe you a life.

A dog's life or human life?

I have already got an advantage.

It's a pity I am unable to kill Wang Jen-Tse.

He's got too many lackeys.

Dad is good at Kung Fu, yet has to hide in Shaolin.

You better return to Shaolin.

But I have sneaked out from it!

Oh! You are back!

I knew you would come back.

You don't want to leave us, don't you?

It is better to be a monk, isn't it?

It took us years to achieve it.

You achieved it in only one day's time.

Well done, little brother!

Master!

Master, please punish me.

You have not grown up yet.

Nothing is that easy.

You are lucky to come back alive.

Are you hungry?

Drink it!

Thank you, master.

Learn it hard from your senior brother in future.

He's got no way to go. Catch him!

- My gracious Saviour! - It's you.

They've got too many men. Don't fight with them.

Here is a cliff. Come with me.

Kill him.

Let's search!

Don't you dare to stop us from catching the prisoner.

This is T'a Lin holy land.

No admission without permission from our abbot.

Bald-head, you are looking for death!

Stop it!

No fighting!

Abbot.

Amida Buddha.

General. This is land for burying Shaolin monks.

Even King Cheng will respect this land.

Why do you want to fight, General?

A prisoner of King Cheng is hiding here.

I want to have a search.

A little bald-head has helped the prisoner escape.

If you don't let me search, the king will blame us.

Will you dare to take the responsibility?

T'a Lin is our holy land.

Please dismount your horses and go inside for your search.

Alright!

Come with me.

Guard the road and go search separately.

Master!

Here.

Chase!

Keep guard here!

Run up to the back of the hill and don't turn back.

Don't stop or I will shoot! Run for it!

Who told you to come in?

We are helping the General to catch the prisoner.

Damn it!

The prisoner has run away to the back of the hill.

Mount the horses and chase!

Run!

I've heard King Li Shih-Min went to visit

the enemy's place by himself. Is that you?

Thank you, Madam.

You've not taken food for two days. Let's eat!

As you are a monk, can you take meat?

With Buddha in your heart, wine and meat are nothing.

Monks always have Buddha in their hearts.

Take it!

Your life as a monk is too simple and poor.

Right.

Wang Jen-Tse's soldiers have searched everywhere.

You better stay here for a few more days.

- I will send you food. - Okay.

Thank you, Madam. I have a job to do.

I must cross the river at once. Do you know if there is a shortcut?

Well, we can escort you to cross the river.

There are many checkpoints. How can you pass them?

Put down your hand at once!

You're born to be a couple. It's a pity you are a monk.

- What now? - Let's go!

You've got a lot of romance, Kid!

It's a pity you are a monk.

Sir, it's late now.

The bridegroom and bride must return to their room.

Will you please let them go?

Damn it! Stop pretending.

How can we fool you?

Don't play that!

I'll buy you a drink. Will you do me a favor?

Alright, you may go!

Thank you, Sir.

Don't be too cautious, brother!

Let's go and have a drink!

Does it hurt?

No.

Tear if off quickly.

Oh! It's bleeding!

What are you laughing for?

You really look like a sweet little wife.

Thanks for saving my life. I'll repay your kindness.

- Li Shih-Min, you can't get away. - Shoot.

Stop it! The general wants him alive.

We'll get a promotion and fortune this time.

Capture him alive!

- Will you take him across the river? - How about yourself?

- Go! - Capture them!

Hurry!

Shoot!

Master!

Master!

Bald-heads, do you want to betray us?

I guess they don't have the guts to do that.

Buddhists do not kill. Let's move!

Master, what shall we do now?

We need to defend ourselves. Buddha will not give mercy to devils.

I understand.

Chueh Yuan, kill him!

Don't you dare to kill?

Buddhists and thieves won't live together. I'll kill you!

Chueh Yuan, kill him!

Amida Buddha!

My holy Buddha, please forgive us.

Master.

Chueh Yuan is only taking them to heaven.

Buddha will forgive us.

Yes!

Chueh Yuan is doing it for goodness sake.

Master.

I know I have committed a sin again.

But, they would have killed me if I didn't do it.

Yes, he is right.

Your mind can never he purified and stay with Buddha.

You are leaving Buddha from now on.

Master!

Go far away from us!

Master!

Wang Jen-Tse is still waiting in the Temple for him.

You can't be responsible for letting him go.

Let's go back.

Why don't you mount the horses?

Master, the Buddhists are always merciful.

I know I'm wrong. Please give me another chance.

Go away! Don't come back to Shaolin Temple!

Master!

Master...

Master!

Master!

Master!

Stop him! Don't let him come into the Temple!

Master!

Hurry and go.

Master!

Wang Jen-Tse is waiting to catch you, run quickly!

I don't want master and brothers to be blamed.

Please let me in!

Master!

- Master! - Tie him up and take him down hill!

Master, you have saved my life.

An abbot has helped me in reincarnation.

I can't cause disaster to Shaolin because of me.

Let me have the suffering. Master!

Sorry for not seeing you off.

The monk has gone but the temple still remains.

If you don't hand over the monk and Li in three days,

I'll destroy Shaolin Temple.

It's really big trouble.

I've said he would get Shaolin into trouble.

We shouldn't have let him stay.

Amida Buddha.

Buddhists are all merciful.

As Chueh Yuan is my disciple, we must help him.

Being a Buddhist for years, how can you say this?

You are wrong!

I'm sorry.

General!

General!

Have you found Li Shih-Min and the monk?

I've found them.

Where are they?

The Shaolin monks have helped Li to escape.

Chueh Yuan has killed all our soldiers.

Traitors! Let's march into Shaolin Temple!

There'll be a disaster in Shaolin Temple.

- Master, let's fight with them! - Yeah, fight with them...

We are trained in Kung Fu. We must protect Shaolin.

Master!

Master, please let me go out.

I'll be responsible for everything.

To take the responsibility alone by yourself?

How can you fight against Wang's army by yourself?

I...

You are too eager to take revenge.

You better unfrock and join Li Shih-Min.

Master, I have not repaid your kindness.

I'm a Buddhist monk and have nothing to worry.

Only my daughter worries me.

Father!

If you can take care of her in the future.

- I'll have nothing more to worry. - Father!

Master!

You go with him.

No matter what happens to us, protect him and don't come back.

You may go!

Father!

Master...

Abbot! It's no good!

Wang Jen-Tse's army has passed the Shao Shih Shan.

They'll reach our main entrance very soon.

If we don't worry about anything, nothing will worry us.

Then we'll have a sound mind. Why are you still so afraid?

Buddha bless us!

Tell the monks not to make any move.

Yes!

Let's lay siege to Shaolin. Bowmen to ambush in a hide-out!

Don't let any monk escape.

Kill...

Kill...

Amida Buddha!

Abbot...

Why do you want to attack our temple, General?

Because Shaolin monks conspire with Li Shih-Min.

There is evidence to prove the treason.

I'm ordered to punish the monks

and burn the temple.

Burn it down!

Hold it, General! I have a request.

Say it!

This is historical land.

If there's a crime, it should not involve the temple.

And the punishment shouldn't extend to the monks.

As a temple abbot, I'll take all responsibility.

Alright, I'll kill you first.

Light up the fire!

Abbot!

If anyone tells me the whereabouts of the traitors,

I'll keep your temple in peace and the abbot alive.

Abbot!

Abbot! Amida Buddha.

Kill him!

Oh, you!

If none of you speaks, I'll kill you all.

No killing!

Abbot, kindness results nothing to evil.

Kill the devils and enter Buddha.

Let's release their souls and bring them to death.

Abbot!

Brother! Pan Kung!

Master, you start killing now!

Let's kill them. They deserve it.

Shoot the arrows!

Master!

Master!

Father!

Shoot the arrows!

Let's charge into the temple and burn it down!

- Master! - Father!

Li Shih-Min has crossed the river with his army.

They are heading for Tung Tu.

You must defend Shaolin

and uphold justice.

- Master! - Father!

Let's kill them!

General!

It's bad news. Li Shih-Min and his army have crossed

the river heading for Tung Tu. - What?

Kill them!

Kill them!

Kill!

Kill!

Chueh Yuan, watch out for the sword!

Thou shall not kill. Can you do that?

I'll stop killing but not stop to uphold justice.

Secondly, thou shall not steal. Can you do that?

I've determined to enter Buddha.

Thirdly, thou shall not covet, can you do that?

Master, I'm determined to enter Buddha,

to defend Shaolin and uphold justice.

Thou shall not covet, can you do that?

Yes.

Fifthly, thou shall not drink. Can you do that?

I suggest this vow should be exempted.

Your Majesty!

Since Your Majesty has given an order,

this vow of drinking shall be exempted forever.

To show appreciation,

King Li of T'ang Dynasty awarded

the Shaolin monks

many fortunes.

The monks only accepted

a gown for each,

a tea set, and forty acres of land.

The King permitted Shaolin to form a defence force.

Such legend was recorded on a temple stone

with the royal signature of King Li Shih-Min.

The martial art of Shaolin began to prevail.

The fame of Shaolin Kung Fu was everlasting.

Shaolin, Shaolin

How many heroes adore you

Shaolin, Shaolin

How many wonderful stories mentioned you

Your martial art is the only one in the world

The Shaolin Temple is famous everywhere

Its history last forever

The Shaolin Temple is splendid

The thousand years' old temple,

the mystic place,

the valley of Songshan,

every person dreams of,

the original place of martial arts,

the charming place,

is well-known everywhere,

and will be praised forever

Shaolin, Shaolin, Shaolin...

THE END