Why did Shaolin have friendly relations with the Qing Dynasty during DOMD?

[Ken Cheng]

In most wuxia stories, Shaolin is either actively or passively antagonistic towards foreign (e.g. non-Han) groups that invade/occupy the Central Plains. In DGSD, Shaolin opposed the Khitan Liao Empire, the Hsi-Hsia Kingdom, and the Tubo/Turfan Kingdom. In HSDS, Shaolin opposed the Mongol-ruled Yuan Dynasty. In DOMD, however, Shaolin was portrayed as being friendly to the Qing regime under Emperors Shunshi and K'ang Hsi. Why did Shaolin not oppose this particular foreign regime at this point?

[pannonian]

In most wuxia stories, Shaolin is either actively or passively antagonistic towards foreign (e.g. non-Han) groups that invade/occupy the Central Plains. In DGSD, Shaolin opposed the Khitan Liao Empire, the Hsi-Hsia Kingdom, and the Tubo/Turfan Kingdom. In HSDS, Shaolin opposed the Mongol-ruled Yuan Dynasty. In DOMD, however, Shaolin was portrayed as being friendly to the Qing regime under Emperors Shunshi and K'ang Hsi. Why did Shaolin not oppose this particular foreign regime at this point?

Were the Qing friendly to Buddhists?

[Ken Cheng]

Were the Qing friendly to Buddhists?

Not sure. The Qing Dynasty overall wasn't a golden age for religion in China. The Manchurians were traditionally shamanists, but not sure what their religious disposition became after migrating into the Central Plains during the Qing era.

[Mandred Skavenslayer]

Not sure. The Qing Dynasty overall wasn't a golden age for religion in China. The Manchurians were traditionally shamanists, but not sure what their religious disposition became after migrating into the Central Plains during the Qing era.

Tibetan Buddhism was quite popular amongst the Manchus and Kangxi was quite respectful to Han Culture in general. I think the friendly relationship came from Kangxi's respect for Shaolin as part of his general respect towards Han tradition.

[Western Eccentric]

Tibetan Buddhism was quite popular amongst the Manchus and Kangxi was quite respectful to Han Culture in general. I think the friendly relationship came from Kangxi's respect for Shaolin as part of his general respect towards Han tradition.

In the end Shaolin was destroyed by Yongzheng..

[Mandred Skavenslayer]

In the end Shaolin was destroyed by Yongzheng..

But didn't Qianlong help restore it?

[Doc Kwok]

In the end Shaolin was destroyed by Yongzheng..

Supposedly it was Southern Shaolin that was destroyed (though there doesn't seem to be any hard evidence that it ever existed in the first place). The original Shaolin in Henan was left alone.

[Ken Cheng]

Supposedly it was Southern Shaolin that was destroyed (though there doesn't seem to be any hard evidence that it ever existed in the first place). The original Shaolin in Henan was left alone.

Where was this hypothetical Southern Shaolin supposedly located, Doc?

[Doc Kwok]

Where was this hypothetical Southern Shaolin supposedly located, Doc?

There are several claimants, but the most popular location seems to be Putian, in Fujian (this was explicitly referenced in Smiling, Proud Wanderer BTW). They did discover the ruins of a temple there years ago, and now there is a rebuilt 'South Shaolin' temple there that happens to be a big tourist attraction... Not too different from the original temple really, but at least there we can be confident that it was the real thing!