The Ten Shaolin Laws are non-religious, and transcend all cultures and races, i.e. people of any culture and race would agree that they promote values that are worthy and desirable. Laws, in the Shaolin tradition, are not meant to be punitive or restrictive. They are a practical means to help followers achieve set aims and objectives; in this case to help them attain the best possible results in practising Shaolin Kungfu for combat efficiency, joyful living, mind expansion, and spiritual fulfilment.
There is no legal binding on the Ten Shaolin Laws; one cannot be prosecuted in a law court if he breaks these laws - the binding is moral. The follower accept them freely, because he believes they are helpful in his physical, emotional, mental and spiritual cultivation. If a student breaks the laws, despite sufficient warnings, he may be asked to leave our Shaolin training, not as a punishment, but because the training is not suitable for him.