The Shaolin DuanPin Grading System is a standardized ranking system used by the official Shaolin Temple to evaluate the skill level of Shaolin Kung Fu practitioners.

For over a thousand years, Shaolin Kung Fu has absorbed and integrated the strengths of numerous martial arts, evolving into more than 700 distinct styles. These include a diverse array of hand forms and techniques with weapons such as knives, guns, swords, staffs, whips, hooks, shovels, canes, and crutches. Additionally, esoteric practices like the Shaolin Seventy-Two Arts and Yi Jin Jing have fascinated martial arts enthusiasts around the world.

Despite its rich history, the lack of a standardized system for evaluating Kung Fu proficiency left many practitioners without clear direction. To address this, in 2019, Master Shi Yongxin, with the help of experienced Shaolin monks and Henan University experts, developed the Shaolin Kung Fu DuanWei and PinJie Series of Courses. This initiative established a formal standard for professional practice, offering a structured framework for learning and teaching. It aims to enhance the systematic management of Shaolin Kung Fu, promote its global dissemination, and guide practitioners in mastering its knowledge and techniques, ultimately fostering wellness and preserving Chinese traditional culture.

Structure of the Shaolin DuanPin System

The Shaolin DuanPin system is structured into two major series: “DuanWei” and “PinJie.”

• DuanWei (段位): “Duan” signifies a stage or level, while “Duanwei” denotes one’s position within that level. The Duanwei series is divided into nine levels, ranging from Duan 1 to Duan 9.

• PinJie (品阶): The term “Pin” reflects qualities such as character, integrity, and morality, with “PinJie” indicating rank within this framework. The PinJie series is also divided into nine ranks, from Pin 1 to Pin 9. Each Pin is further divided into three grades: first, second, and third.

In total, the system encompasses 9 DuanWei – levels, 9 PinJie – ranks, and 27 grades, providing a comprehensive structure for evaluating and recognizing martial proficiency and development.

Level (段: Duan)

Beginners can start with the first 3 levels, focusing on basic skills and simple hand forms. These Duans are designed to be accessible and not overly challenging.

As practitioners advance to the 4th through 6th Duan, they will continue to develop fundamental skills and learn prescribed Shaolin forms and techniques. At this stage, they will also study the basic theory of Shaolin Kung Fu—though not as esoteric or complex as techniques like the Yi Jin Jing. With careful study and attentive note-taking, success is well within reach.

Advancing to the 7th through 9th Duan introduces more complex skills and techniques, including training with the Shaolin staff, a renowned piece of equipment in the temple’s repertoire.

Remember, the journey is long: “The sharp edge of a sword comes from grinding, and the plum blossom fragrance comes from the bitter cold.” Progressing from Duan 1 to Duan 9 takes years of dedication.

However, reaching the 9th Duan is just the beginning. It signifies entry into the extensive and profound world of Shaolin Kung Fu.

Rank (品: Pin)

Those who have completed Duan 9 for at least one year and are over the age of 16 may apply for Pin 1.

The ranking system is structured as follows:

Junior Rank (Pin 1-3): These are referred to as “Fists.”

Intermediate Rank (Pin 4-6): These are known as “Boxers.”

Senior Rank (Pin 7-9): These are designated as “Masters,” with Pin 7 being a Master, Pin 8 as a Senior Master, and Pin 9 as a Grandmaster.

In addition, there are Honor Pin, which are awarded based on exceptional achievement. These grades are ranked from low to high as Honor 7, Honor 8, and Honor 9.

From Pin 1 to Pin 6, practitioners will progressively encounter more advanced skills, forms, techniques, and weapon routines. With each advancing grade, the complexity and difficulty increase, as do the requirements for assessment. Additionally, the evaluations emphasize the development of specific “fighting abilities.”

To advance from Pin 6 to Pin 7, practitioners must achieve a thorough mastery of Shaolin Kung Fu’s technical and theoretical systems, including its meditation practices. They must also demonstrate notable contributions to the promotion and research of Shaolin Kung Fu.

By Pin 8, practitioners reach the Master level. Progressing from Pin 7 to Pin 8 requires not only building upon the foundational work of predecessors but also introducing innovative results and original contributions.

Achieving Pin 9 signifies becoming a Grandmaster. At this level, one should excel in all facets of Shaolin Kung Fu and establish a distinct school or style of their own, gaining recognition as a leading authority in the field.

What are the benefits for martial artists?

The essence of Shaolin Kung Fu lies in the process of self-cultivation, approached with meticulousness, tranquility, and calm. The rank system serves as a structured guide, reflecting the progressive steps of practice accumulated from past generations. Ultimately, it is designed to help practitioners deepen their understanding through both mental and physical engagement.

Shaolin Kung Fu practitioners worldwide can earn official certification through systematic study and assessment, which validates their knowledge and skills on a global scale. Successful candidates who pass the Shaolin DuanPin System Assessment will be awarded a certificate that corresponds to their level, along with a badge and a belt. Each certification also includes a unique global identity number, which allows practitioners to verify their credentials online through the Shaolin App.

For students, the DuanWei and PinJie levels are more than just indicators of martial progress—they represent proof of proficiency and a record of personal growth and dedication. Additionally, for those planning to study abroad, this certification provides a seamless connection to the global network of Shaolin Centers, facilitating further study and advancement.

 

少林功夫段品制

少林功夫是一个庞大而有序的文化体系，在这个体系之下，各种风格和水平的习武者也层出不穷。

少林功夫内容太丰富了，千余年集百家之长，揽天下豪杰的万般武艺，竟逐渐演化出七百多种功夫，不仅包含千变万化的拳术，还有刀、枪、剑、棍、鞭、钩、铲、杖、拐等器械套路，少林七十二艺和易筋经等独门秘技更是被外界传得神乎其神。

然而，长期缺乏一个对功夫水平的评价机制，让很多功夫爱好者没有明确的目标感。2019年在释永信大和尚的统筹下，集合了众多有着数十年习武经验的少林武僧以及河南大学的专家学者，研发出版了《少林功夫段品制系列教程》，也就意味着：少林功夫完成了一次划时代的整理，从此，行家功夫有了有理有据的等级标准。让更多少林功夫习练者学有所依、教有所凭。旨在加强少林功夫的系统管理，促进少林功夫在世界的弘扬，引导少林功夫习练者通过升段晋品，循序渐进地了解和掌握少林功夫知识和技术体系，达到身心健康、传承中国传统文化的目的。

 

“少林功夫段品制” 是如何设置的？

 

少林功夫段品制分为“段位”和“品阶”两大系列。“段”是事物、时间的一节，通常指部分、阶段，“段位”是在某个阶段中的位置。“品”有品质、品行、品格、品节、品德等含义，“品阶”是指在品系中的阶次。由低至高，段位分为一至九段，品阶分为一至九品，每一品又细分为一阶、二阶和三阶，共九段九品二十七阶。

入门的习练可以练一段到三段，包括基本功与部分拳术组合，难度系数不算大。

四段到六段，除了基本功和规定的少林功法和拳术外，还多了少林功夫基础理论——不要害怕，还没有考到《易筋经》那样深邃的“武林绝学”，凡认真听课做笔记的，基本都不会挂科。

晋级七段到九段，这一级别要学习的内容除了难度系数更大的功法和拳术外，还增加了少林寺久负盛名的器械套路——少林棍术。

“宝剑锋从磨砺出,梅花香自苦寒来”，从一段到九段，没有几个春夏秋冬的坚持是练不出来的。然而，少年，不要骄傲。达到九段，在浩瀚的少林功夫面前，只是入门。

十六岁以上且取得九段一年以上的练家子就可以晋考品阶咯。

一至三品为初品阶，称拳士；四至六品为中品阶，称拳师；七至九品为高品阶，分别称名师、大师和宗师。

除此之外，还另分荣誉品阶，由低至高依次为荣誉七品、荣誉八品和荣誉九品。

从一品到六品，所接触的功法、拳术和器械套路会越来越多也越来越高深，同时对考核成绩的要求也逐级提升，除此之外，品阶评定还特意说明要具备一定的“格斗能力”。

六品会是一个瓶颈，想突破六品到达七品，则需要系统掌握少林功夫的技术体系、理论体系及少林禅修，并取得一定成就，同时要在少林功夫推广和少林功夫研究方面做出一些成绩。

八品已经是大师级别了，从七品到八品，看的是能否在前人的基础上推陈出新，拿出原创成果。

到了九品已经是一代宗师了，不仅要精通少林功夫的方方面面，还要在少林功夫研究和推广方面独树一帜，成为公认的领军人物。

 

“少林功夫段品制” 对习武者有什么用？

 

少林功夫的本心，是自我的修行的过程，是细致，沉静，从容地感受和传承。

段品晋级的阶梯，就像是修行的地图。经过前人的总结，展现出习练的台阶。而最终，修行的路，还得习武者自己 ，用身心来体悟。

全世界的少林功夫习练者，通过系统的学习考核，少林功夫段品制评审合格学员，将获得相应级别的少林功夫段品制段位证书、徽章与腰带全球唯一的身份号码，并能够通过少林APP进行线上身份查询。

对于学生群体来说，段品级别既是习武精进的地图，水平的证明，无论作为兴趣还是自我成长的履历都是精彩的一笔，如果未来有留学计划，也可以无缝链接海外少林中心的体系，继续深入学习。