Shaolin Kungfu is non-religious. Throughout history, Shaolin masters have come from various religious backgrounds, including Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, Christian and Muslim. There are also masters who claimed to profess no religion.

The benefits of practising Shaolin Kungfu can be divided into five categories: 1) self-defense, 2) health, 3) vitality, 4) mind expansion and 5) spiritual development. Irrespective of whatever style you practice, you must be able to defend yourself if you practise kungfu; otherwise your training becomes meaningless, because the term 'kungfu' means martial art However, kungfu, unlike many other martial arts, is generally non-aggressive and non-brutal although it is very effective for combat.

Apart from practising Shaolin Kungfu, there are Ten Shaolin Laws for the followers to follow (see below). The laws, in the Shaolin tradition, are not meant to be punitive or restrictive, but as practical means to help followers to achieve the set aims and objectives; in other words, to help them attain the best possible results in practicing Shaolin Kungfu for combat efficiency, joyful living, mind expansion, and spiritual fulfillment. The laws are not forced upon the follower; the follower accepts them because they choose to, because they believe that the laws are helpful to them in their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual cultivation. If a follower breaks the laws, after sufficient warnings, he may be asked to leave the Shaolin training, not as a punishment, but because the training is not suitable for him.

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