There is a difference in being a master and being proficient. Being proficient can be done in a relatively short time of 5-10 years. Being a true master takes substantially longer. That being said, most of the Shaolin you see today isn't the real original Shaolin but a government controlled version that is more for demonstration than for real fighting. So if you want some style for self defense and fighting Shaolin may not be the best.
It's the journey which makes a master, being a master in the martial arts is a destination. In order to became better than anyone else you must first become better than yourself.
well most train form the age of 5 to 7 years old. and by the time they are in there 20's they pretty much master at least all the basics, lohaun fist, and staff forms, plus any other styles they can. the training is by far not that easy to do and the time limit is not to important. so if you think they train in 24 hour period from 14 to 18 hours a day. it doesn't take to long. most of us don't have that time. remember they live in the temple so they don't need to leave , they train for one reason to become better persons and not human weapons. if you have a good school in your area that teaches shaolin check it out. just like every other martial art they have schools that are not based on real shaolin style and lack the true theory. lots of monks have schools all over the world now. no martial art has a time limit its how hard you train. good luck
If you train, and I mean train HARD (not just when you feel like it) about a decade,however you will always be learning more and more through experience so although you may be ranked the same as others they will know more than you;with experience comes knowledge.
But go for it,too many people are afraid to go and get what they want these days...
Hope you reach this goal,good luck!!
a life time.
a master has been training more then 50-60 years and is their 60 to 70's
it takes decades to understand a single style and a life time to master it
Long time.
do not believe the movies you see, its not real
i want to become like a shoaling munk. How long does that take?
