"The Spiritual Legacy of the Shaolin Temple is perhaps the most concise, accurate, and clearly written history of Shaolin, Buddhism, and Daoism I have read. James has a rich personal history that led him to study wu shu, and the practical instructions in the last chapter will allow any interested reader in internal martial arts and meditation to begin practicing immediately. This is a valuable addition to anyone’s library."- B.K. Loren, author ofThe Way of the River: Adventures and Meditations of a Woman Martial Artist.
The Spiritual Legacy of Shaolin Temple: Buddhism, Daoism & the Energetic Arts
'In this book, Andy James gives us the history and evolution of the Shaolin, Daoist, and Chan (Zen) Buddhist systems and disposes of some misconceptions surrounding these disciplines. James is eminently qualified to present this information, and I am very pleased to be introducing him and this book to you'-Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson, Executive Director of the International Institute of Medical Qigong and author ofChinese Medical Qigong Therapy: A Comprehensive Clinical Guide.
"For reasons of language, culture and politics, Westerners have long found the complex interplay between Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism -the Three Doctrines of China -a dense and thorny jungle. Andy James’ book coheres these philosophies, belief systems and practices in a compulsively readable and personal way.The Spiritual Legacy of Shaolin Temple is a must for the Sinophile and Buddhist, and a surprisingly useful book for the internal martial artist too, as it explains the roots of these fantastic and arcane practices and argues persuasively for their place in modern society."-Arthur Rosenfeld, author