History Main / AllMonksKnowKungfu

* In the Middle Ages, retired soldiers often entered monastic orders and earned money for the community by educating young nobles and others. Several mediaeval and renaissance manuals of arms show monks as teachers; a community with a resident master-at-arms would attract more pupils. There were also many orders of [[WarriorMonk Warrior Monks]] that existed beyond the more famous groups such as UsefulNotes/TheKnightsTemplar, UsefulNotes/TheTeutonicKnights and UsefulNotes/TheKnightsHospitallers[[note]]The latter two still exist today. While the Teutonic Knights have lost their military wing, the Knights Hospitaller have retained it as the Soverign Military Order of Malta. They even loan military aircraft to the Italian Airforce for humanitarian missions.[[/note]]. They usually preferred to fight with swords and armour but unarmed combat was taught as well as weapons training. They were also a solution for the old question of what to do with younger or illegitimate sons. These groups were were given special permission to take up fighting in the name of the Church.

* Father Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez wrestled professionally for 23 years in Mexico as "Fray Tormenta" ("Friar Storm") to fund the orphanage he runs. As such, he was the very loose inspiration for Film/NachoLibre, but that's hardly his fault. Apparently, he still wears his mask for his day to day Priestly work. Think we also know him as King from the ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'' series. Because when you think "priest who runs an orphanage", you think "Tombstone piledriver".
* Sufi orders in some districts during periods of political decentralization have had a history of developing relationships with local tough types and/or taking on lots of particularly tough disciples in order to keep order and/or take tithe.

* Medieval European monks, depending on the order, lived a regimented life, performed physical labour, had a relatively varied and nutritious diet for the time period, received better-than-average medical help if need be, and were expected to avoid excess (read: avoid unhealthy habits). All of these do not translate to martial prowess per se, but are likely to produce strong, tough individuals of good health -- which in turn probably translated to better chances in hand-to-hand combat than that of, say, an average peasant.

* Most of the major characters in ''Manga/AliveTheFinalEvolution'' are given superpowers and pushed to the DespairEventHorizon by being quasi-possessed by suicidal energy beings from space and not actually committing suicide; a significant subset of these are brainwashed by one of the others, and become the main antagonists of the first half. The nicest of these is a really sweet Japanese Catholic priest who for reasons that are never even slightly addressed has probably the most killer karate in the series. His power is to turn people to stone. He doesn't use it much, but he [[BadassPreacher kicks a lot of ass]].

-->FATHER TED CRILLY:- (smiles. Has he finally got an abstract concept into Dougal's head, first go?) Exactly correct, Dougal. The Church has been established in Japan since the old fifteen-hundreds.. All those goings-on on the old television the other night were exaggerated, you know how these television people like making a sensation, so. (He giggles, nervously). And we have some of the great warrior-priests to thank. Like the great Jesuit Saint Francis Xavier, who realised that to live and work and preach the faith to the Japanese, we had to live like them, dress like them, learn their language, teach by example.
-->FATHER DOUGAL MAGUIRE picks up a book from the table. The cover is a garish illustration of a Catholic priest – at least he is wearing a cross – in orange Shinto kimono, striking a kung-fu pose. The title is lurid, in red letters: St Francis Xavier, warrior monk, stars in Death Fist of Christ: EXIT THE DRAGON! In smaller letters beneath: Soon to be a movie featuring Bruce Lee as St Francis Xavier!1(1)

* Averted and lampshaded in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' with the monks of the Corbetite Railway [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php#.VQxa2Y5rat8 here]]:

* [[TruthInTelevision Meditation]] is heavily attributed to Buddhism and Hinduism but is also wide-spread in Christianity. Similarly to eastern practice, ancient monasteries and abbeys were often founded in isolated places to encourage meditative discipline, and it remains an important part of monastic life. Jesuit daily practices, born of military discipline, have been more popularised than most but aren't the [[http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080623165252AAVMxtl only examples]]. The Benedictine Rule requires five hours of meditation a day, in the form of reading scripture, Gregorian chanting and Psalms.

* Father Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez wrestled professionally for 23 years in Mexico as 'Fray Tormenta' ("Friar Storm") to fund the orphanage he runs. As such, he was the very loose inspiration for Film/NachoLibre, but that's hardly his fault. Apparently, he still wears his mask for his day to day Priestly work. Think we also know him as King from the ''{{VideoGame/Tekken}}'' series. Because when you think 'priest who runs an orphanage', you think 'Tombstone piledriver'.

* Medieval European monks, depending on the order, lived a regimented life, performed physical labour, had a relatively varied and nutritious diet for the time period, received better-than-average medical help if need be, and were expected to avoid excess (read: avoid unhealthy habits). All of these do not translate to martial prowess per se, but are likely to produce strong, tough individuals of good health - which in turn probably translated to better chances in hand-to-hand combat than that of, say, an average peasant.

-->--'''Father [=McGruder=], the Kung Fu Priest''' in ''Film/{{Braindead}}''

...And sometimes the One knowing kung fu isn't just a mere monk, but [[KungFuJesus our Lord and Saviour Himself]]...

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

[[folder:Film]]

* Friar Tuck in many ''RobinHood'' films reflects his rather martial nature described in the original stories. Ironically, Film!Tuck's preference for the staff may be a nod towards this trope, as the medieval ballads of Robin Hood portray Tuck and Robin as duelling with swords, and the arming sword and buckler as the good friar's signature weapons.

* Friar Tuck of the RobinHood stories is usually depicted as a capable warrior. In the ballad recounting Robin's encounter with "the curtal friar," we are told explicitly: "The friar had on a harness good, / And on his head a cap of steel, / Broad sword and buckler by his side, / And they became him well." Some versions of the character suggest that Tuck had soldier training, which would have given him experience with various medieval weapons as well as unarmed combat.

* Literature/{{Redwall}} might be a borderline example, as the superpowered Abbey Warrior usually starts out as a novice in the Abbey and quickly becomes awesome at swordplay, and even the ones who aren't warriors tend to be able to hold their own in a fight.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

* Shows up in the ''Series/DoctorWho'' episode "Tooth and Claw". When the monks announce they're taking over a mansion, they reveal orange robes under their cloaks and do a dramatic, slow-motion leap over the heads of the astonished housekeepers. Normally orange robes are worn by Buddhists, while frocks were worn by Franciscan friars - which are quite different from monks. Neither Buddhists nor Franciscans should have had a monastery in 19th century Scotland.

[[folder:Tabletop RPG]]
* Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D) 1E included a class called the Monk, inspired by the Kung-Fu monk. Many players, and not a few adventure writers, however, made them out to be some form of Western monastic. This version was in print by 1978. As an interesting note, AD&D 2E made the fighting monk a "kit" (modification) of the cleric, and deleted the monk as a class of its own.
** 4e averted this when they made it abundantly and explicitly clear that the revived "Monk" class was of Shaolin derivation: they are typically depicted in artwork as wearing ''gi''-like robes, hair up in a topknot, and bare-chested if male. Fluff material often describes them (or their styles) coming "from the east" or wherever the stock Asia-equivalent is. Finally, ALL their moves sound like standard Wu Xia fair (Spinning Leopard Maneuver, Dancing Cobra, Strike the Golden Bell, Centered Breath Style, etc.) It doesn't stop some ''players'' from making the mistake though, ala the Dorkness Rising example above.

* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls''

* The Monk class in Franchise/FinalFantasy games is usually an aversion, being almost universally Asian-styled. Even when there's no obviously Asian culture from which it might hail.
** E.g., in VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics, which takes place in a CrystalDragonJesus Medieval Europe. There are Samurais and Ninjas there, too...
*** Although in VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI, there's a "far east" which, although we never see it, is clearly implied to be a thinly-veiled Japan analogue. It's also the origin for the Monk, Samurai, and Ninja techniques (although for some reason, the medieval French nation of San d'Oria picked up the Monk training and adapted it for their own use). There's even a neat in-story justification for why, of all the beastman races, only the Yagudo have Samurais?they have good relations with the far east.
* ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'' monks have an eastern orthodox appearance and speak in an eastern European accent, but use attacks a a fighting style more similar to stereotypical East Asian martial arts. This is less a case of not doing the research, though, and more a case of deliberately combining things in an unusual way.
** Besides, have you seen the beards of an Eastern Orthodox priest or monk? Those things should require a permit, they're so badass!
* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' there are various different types of enemies inside the [[KnightTemplar Scarlet Monastery]]. The scarlet monks? They fight bare-fisted, wear headbands and kick spellcasters to interrupt them.
** The ''Mists of Pandaria'' expansion introduces shaolin-style monks as a new character class. This is justified by the simultaneous introduction of the pandaren as a new playable race, obviously based heavily on east-Asian cultures.

[[folder:Webcomics]]

-->'''Belkar:''' Hey, listen buddy, sure you can hire Friar Tuck over here--
-->'''Monk:''' Not that kind of monk, actually!

-->'''Brother Ulm''': We ''climb!'' Shimmy up Humungulus while he's still ''holdin''' the devilish thing! Let's go!
-->'''First Monk''': Uh ... we're not really that ''kind'' of monk, Brother Ulm...
-->'''Second Monk''': Sure, and you're thinking of those crazy Eastern guys who can ''run up buildings!''
-->'''Third Monk''': Oh, aye -- and they can ''kill'' a man just by ''rippin' his head off!''

** Monk has been a standard class throughout the series (at least until ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' did away with classes). [[GoodOldFisticuffs Hand to Hand]] tends to be the main combat skill of the class, though [[SimpleStaff Blunt Weapon]] also gets a boost. Given the EverythingIsTryingToKillYou WorldOfAdventure nature of Tamriel, it is actually fairly justified for even religious orders to have some ability to defend themselves.

** Monk has been a standard class throughout the series (at least until ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' did away with classes). [[GoodOldFisticuffs Hand to Hand]] tends to be the main combat skill of the class, though [[SimpleStaff Blunt Weapon]] also gets a boost.

* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'' had this for its monk class, complete with picture of said monk in Scrappy Doo "Let me at 'em!" pose.
** In-story, this is true for the Blades, an order of knights sworn to protect the Emperor, although it's less kung fu and more swordfighting. Allegedly, most of them are monks in their spare time. But ''especially'' Brother Jauffere, who actually ''is'' wearing a habit and working in a priory when you meet him. While carrying a sword on his back.
*** The Blades take on the roles of spies and bodyguards, essentially being His Imperial Majesties Secret Service. Their being monks generally comes from being undercover or retired. So the Blades are spies first, knights second, monks last.
** This has actually been the case for every [[Franchise/TheElderScrolls Elder Scrolls]] game. Somewhat justified, as most religions in Tamriel usually require someone getting the shit beaten out of them. Most notable are the Ordinators and the Order of Talos (who often double as Blades).

* The whole point of becoming an Immaculate Monk in ''{{Exalted}}'' is to reach enlightened understanding of Essence... So that you could learn Celestial Martial Arts and kick asses of rowdy gods.

* Discussed in ''RobAndElliot'', when Rob proudly admits he beat up some Buddhist Monks, who weren't as tough as he expected. Elliot informs him that Buddhist Monks are pacifists, and he was thinking of ''Shaolin'' Monks. Rob scoffs, then his face falls.

-->--'''The priest''' in ''Film/{{Braindead}}''

* In the Middle Ages, retired soldiers often entered monastic orders and earned money for the community by educating young nobles and others. Several mediaeval and renaissance manuals of arms show monks as teachers; a community with a resident master-at-arms would attract more pupils. There were also many orders of [[WarriorMonk Warrior Monks]] that existed beyond the more famous groups such as TheKnightsTemplar, UsefulNotes/TheTeutonicKnights and TheKnightsHospitallers[[note]]The latter two still exist today. While the Teutonic Knights have lost their military wing, the Knights Hospitaller have retained it as the Soverign Military Order of Malta. They even loan military aircraft to the Italian Airforce for humanitarian missions.[[/note]]. They usually preferred to fight with swords and armour but unarmed combat was taught as well as weapons training. They were also a solution for the old question of what to do with younger or illegitimate sons. These groups were were given special permission to take up fighting in the name of the Church.

* All monks know hand-to-hand combat and possess supernatural powers in LegendOfTheFiveRings. This isn't so bad, since it's explicitly a combination of various Eastern cultures, but Shaolin-style monks outnumbering Zen-style monks comes straight from pop culture.

* Father Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez wrestled professionally for 23 years in Mexico as 'Fray Tormenta' ("Friar Storm") to fund the orphanage he runs. As such, he was the very loose inspiration for NachoLibre, but that's hardly his fault. Apparently, he still wears his mask for his day to day Priestly work. Think we also know him as King from the ''{{VideoGame/Tekken}}'' series. Because when you think 'priest who runs an orphanage', you think 'Tombstone piledriver'.

* Father Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez wrestled professionally for 23 years in Mexico as 'Fray Tormenta' ("Friar Storm") to fund the orphanage he runs. As such, he was the very loose inspiration for NachoLibre, but that's hardly his fault. Apparently, he still wears his mask for his day to day Priestly work. Think we also know him as King from the ''{{Tekken}}'' series. Because when you think 'priest who runs an orphanage', you think 'Tombstone piledriver'.

* {{Redwall}} might be a borderline example, as the superpowered Abbey Warrior usually starts out as a novice in the Abbey and quickly becomes awesome at swordplay, and even the ones who aren't warriors tend to be able to hold their own in a fight.

* In WorldOfWarcraft there are various different types of enemies inside the [[KnightTemplar Scarlet Monastery]]. The scarlet monks? They fight bare-fisted, wear headbands and kick spellcasters to interrupt them.

* ''RagnarokOnline'' has a Monk class which branches off from the Acolyte class (The other choice of advancement being the Priest). They're still associated with the church of Prontera, but they forgo holy powers in favor of obliterating things with punches and ki attacks, and have a typical martial artist look to them.

** The seventh game in [[VideoGame/MightAndMagic the RPG series]] that ''Heroes'' was based off of starts off playing it straight with its Monk class. But then it confuses things further, as one of the promotion paths for Monk is [[InstantAwesomeJustAddNinja Ninja]] of all things.

* Most of the major characters in ''AliveTheFinalEvolution'' are given superpowers and pushed to the DespairEventHorizon by being quasi-possessed by suicidal energy beings from space and not actually committing suicide; a significant subset of these are brainwashed by one of the others, and become the main antagonists of the first half. The nicest of these is a really sweet Japanese Catholic priest who for reasons that are never even slightly addressed has probably the most killer karate in the series. His power is to turn people to stone. He doesn't use it much, but he [[BadassPreacher kicks a lot of ass]].

* In NeverwinterNights2 has a group of Monks that worship Tyr who [[CrystalDragonJesus is pretty much The Father of the trinity in the trio of gods known as the Triad]]. Khelgar seeks to join them so he can become a martial arts using monk.

** You know it doesn't work when you see those robes flying around... they're just not made for kung fu. And a heavy, rare MALE instance of MagicSkirt!
*** It helps that most of the ads for the series have him without the robes.
* Obviously: David Carradine in ''KungFu''. While justified in that he was a ''Shaolin'' monk, this is what probably started the entire trope of "''all'' monks knowing kung-fu" by generalizing from this original series.

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[[AC:WesternAnimation]]

[[AC:RealLife]]

* French movie ''Les Rivières Pourpres 2'' features a monk (complete with outfit) committing murders, knowing martial arts, and doing parkour. He was played by Cyril Rafaelli, one of the leading parkour experts
* ''Film/TheGamers: Dorkness Rising'' is, in part, about a D&D campaign whose players are in a somewhat antagonistic relationship with their GM. One player insists on playing a Kung-Fu Monk, which he says that he can do because it's a base D&D character class. The GM complains that it can't work because the campaign takes place in a traditional European fantasy setting, but relents, on the condition that he play the character as being a Western monk who also has the character class's Kung-Fu skills.
* The 1998 incredibly low budget (verging on home made) Irish action film ''FatalDeviation'' features a bunch of homeless monks in the real town of Trim helping the hero Jimmy Bennet (played by Jimmy Bennet) train for an ancient tournament in which he must defeat a member of the local "Drug Lords Gang" in order to break their power. Or something. [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment The monks really have nothing to do with the plot]].

** The seventh game in [[VideoGame/MightAndMagic the RPG series]] that ''Heroes'' was based off of starts off playing it straight. But then it confuses things further, as one of the promotion paths for Monk is [[InstantAwesomeJustAddNinja Ninja]] of all things.

->''[[CrowningMomentOfAwesome I kick arse]] [[CrowningMomentOfFunny for the Lord!]]''

-->--'''The priest''' in ''{{Braindead}}''

* ''FirstSquad'' features a Russian Orthodox kung fu monk.