Shaolin Kungfu emphasizes Ch'an Buddhism. Ch'an derives its name from the Indian word Dhyana, which simply means 'Meditation'. Dhyanna was an Indian form of Buddhist meditation stressing sitting meditation and other forms of meditation to help bring about enlightenment in its practitioners. Dhyanna is essentially meditation practice, as part of Buddhist practice.

Indian martial techniques and exercises predate their counterparts in China, just as Indian Buddhism and Dhyanna meditation practice does. However, the martial arts were known for the most part formed, shaped and cradled by the Shaolin Temple throughout history, just as Ch'an and Zen today are a result of Chinese influence. So Shaolin Kungfu is the Granddaddy of all Asian martial arts, with an Indian uncle.

Given the fact that most Asian martial arts derive from their Chinese predecessors at Shaolin Temple, it is true that 'all martial styles were born under the sun of Shaolin' to a great extent. Indeed, it might be more accurate to say that most popular martial arts that emerged from Asia had a pre-history and formation period at the Shaolin Temple, or that martial arts are a direct result of the Shaolin Temple influence. Shaolin Kungfu is known for their many animal styles such as Tiger, Crane, Dragon, Monkey, Praying Mantis and Snake. The famous Shaolin 18 Movements derive from Bodhidharma's visit to China. He taught the Buddhist monks Indian martial exercises in order to make them more fit for mediation and to keep them active. These later evolved into the 18 Movements of Shaolin Kungfu, evolved into a full fighting system of its own.