History
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History of Kempo
The art of Kempo, also written as Kenpo, is unique as far as its history goes in two respects. First it is considered by many to be the first eclectic martial art (i.e. made up of several other martial arts), and second it finds its roots stretching back to 520 BC during the Chou Dynasty. According to Chinese history, one of the first noted catalysts of the way of Kempo was a prince and warrior of Southern India called Bodhidharma. According to the records of the Lo-Yang temple, Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk under the tutelage of Prajnatara. On his deathbed Prajnatara requested Bodhidharma to travel to China, to re-teach the principles of Buddhism and share the knowledge of Dhyana (Zen Koans). Prajnatara was concerned that the principles of Buddhism were on the decline and its ways were being abandoned.

It is estimated that in 520 BC, during the southern dynasties, Bodhidharma entered China and traveled northward to the kingdom of Wei. Here the fabled meeting with Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty began. This meeting is recorded due to the intense conversation and discussion of Buddhism and Dhyana that took place. The meeting was to no avail, his words to the worldly emperor meant nothing and, thus, disappointed with the futility of his attempts, Bodhidharma left the palace of the Emperor and traveled to the Honan province, where he entered the Shaolin temple. It is at this point that he began a new era in martial arts history.

Bodhidharma's depression grew once he reached the famed Shaolin temple. It turned out that Prajnatra's concerns were true. The monks were both physically ragged and mentally diminished due to the excess amount of time they were spending in meditation. Many of the monks would often fall asleep in meditation, while others were so feeble physically that they needed assistance in the basic necessities of life.

For an unknown period of time, Bodhidharma meditated in a cave at the outskirts of the temple, seeking for a way to renew the ways of Buddha's light as well as letting the monks regain control over their lives. Upon his return to the temple, Bodhidharma began to instruct the monks in the courtyard, explaining to them and working with them in the art of Shih Pa Lo Han Sho (the 18 hands of Lo Han). Ironically, while these techniques have become the foundation for almost all of the martial arts today, they were never to be utilized as methods of fighting. They were a manner in which the monks could attain enlightenment, while preserving their physical health.