Pencak Silat the technically superior. IPSI has avoided the tendency of modern martial arts that gravitate towards sport. The resistance to sport has lessened over time, however, and sparring in particular has become less combative. While nominally an Indonesian organisation, many of the rules and regulations outlined by IPSI have become the de facto standard for silat competitions worldwide. Indo-Dutch Eurasians who first began practicing pencak silat in the 20th century spread the art to the west in the late 20th century. Today pencak silat is one of the extra-curricular activities taught in Indonesian schools. It is included as a combat sport
Pencak Silat styles have less frontal contact with the opponent, instead preferring to evade in a circular manner and attack from the side. In one form of training designed to practice circular evasion, victory is attained simply by touching the opponent's torso. Fasting and mantra were traditionally used to heighten the senses for this purpose. The oldest styles of penca were based on animals and movements of farming or tending the fields. IPSI recognises "Cimacan" (tiger style), "Ciular" (snake style), and "Pamonyet" (monkey style) as among the oldest existing pencak silat. Cimacan is said to have been created by a Buddhist monk.