For many it is only a Legend.
... but I know that it is more than that, that it is in fact the Reality.
In the China, in the Henan province - there's the Temple of Martial Arts from which all of Martial Arts took roots.
It's name is Shaolin, which means: 'Young Forest'.
The Shaolin Temple was founded in 495 CE in the Songshan Mountains.
As the history tells, in past, the monks of Shaolin were in so poor physical shape, that they kept falling asleep during their meditations.
Then, the monk named Bodhidharma (also known as Daruma), came and gave them physical exercises lessons so their bodies could be in-shape.
Over the centuries, these physical exercises evolved into fighting methods, into Martial Arts.
This was only practical, as there banditry was abound.
Bodhidharma, the founder of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, is believed to have lived during the 5th or 6th century CE. While the exact dates of his birth and death are uncertain, traditional accounts place his life around this period. He is thought to have been born in Kanchipuram, Southern India, and is credited with bringing Zen Buddhism to China.
Now considered one of Buddhas, Enlightened Ones, Bodhidharma is famous all over the east, and a little in the west as well.
I was present in one of Zen meditations & lessons, in Zendo, meditation place (Zendo is like Gompa in Tibetan Buddhism), in the ZBZ 'Bodhidharma' (Zen Buddhists Center: 'Bodhidharma'), near Warsaw, in Poland. I was invited there by a friendly Karateka, when i trained Martial Arts (Karate Kyokushinkai mostly).
Wudang.
The Wudang martial arts tradition is linked to the Wudang Mountains (in Hubei province, China), and the figure of Zhang Sanfeng, who is said to have developed his Martial Arts after studying at Shaolin. While the exact date of Wudang's origins is debated, it's generally accepted that Zhang Sanfeng lived in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Zhang Sanfeng was the Taoist hermit, and many believe invented the Chinese Martial Art Tai Chi. However, other sources point to earlier versions of Tai Chi predating Sanfeng. He is purported to have achieved immortality.
Differences.
Shaolin is known for its emphasis on external, or 'hard' styles, emphasizing strength, speed, and powerful techniques. Wudang, on the other hand, is known for its internal, or 'soft' styles, focusing on balance, harmony, and the cultivation of internal energy (Qi). But this distinction is false to certain extent, as - for example - Shaolin also has a bit of the energy work practices, called the: 'Qi Gong' lessons.
