The 1st Shaolin Summit

by Video by Greg Lynch Jr. Commentary by Gene Ching

In May 2011, Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin visited Los Angeles on a trip to visit his disciples and friends in America. The main event was the 1st Shaolin Summit, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 21st. Kung Fu Tai Chi publishers Gigi Oh and Gene Ching attended, along with reporter/filmmaker Greg Lynch Jr.

Abbot Shi Yongxin's initial speech at the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center (Mandarin only)
Friday, May 20, 2011: Abbot Shi Yongxin gives his initial speech at the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center in Temple City, CA (Mandarin only). Note that the Abbot acknowledges Kung Fu Tai Chi magazine right away. Publisher Gigi Oh can be heard responding within the first minute.

Shaolin Monk Shi Yanyong's lecture on meditation at the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center (Mandarin only)
Friday, May 20, 2011: Shaolin Monk Shi Yanyong, who accompanied the abbot from China, gives a lecture on meditation at the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center (Mandarin only).

Abbot Shi Yongxin's speech at the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center (with English translation)
Friday, May 20, 2011: Abbot Shi Yongxin gives a speech at the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center (with English translation). This Shaolin Temple Cultural Center is under the supervision of Shi Yanxu. There are highlights of Friday's activities. Imagine being one of the child students of Shi Yanxu and having to demonstrate before the Abbot. Also included is Veronica Christianson's original song, "Shaolin Temple is my Home" dedicated to the Abbot.

Abbot Shi Yongxin's speech at the Welcoming Banquet at Luminarias Restaurant (with English translation)
Friday, May 20, 2011: Abbot Shi Yongxin gives a speech at the Welcoming Banquet at Luminarias Restaurant in Monterey Park, CA (with English translation). This speech is a shorter version of his untranslated speech at the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center.

Shaolin Demonstration at the Welcoming Banquet at Luminarias Restaurant
Friday, May 20, 2011: North American Shaolin Monks demonstrate kung fu at the Welcoming Banquet at Luminarias Restaurant. The best Shaolin kung fu demonstrations occur when the Abbot is around. All of the loyal disciples need to show face, as well as demonstrate to the Abbot that they still retain their skills. Traditional highlights include Meihuadao at 1:20, Tongzigong at 2:07, Qixingquan at 4:12, Tonbeiquan at 5:49, Dahongquan at 6:12, Erzichan at 7:16, Rouquan at 8:35, Paoquan at 10:04

Opening Ceremony at the 1st Shaolin Summit
Saturday, May 21, 2011: Opening Ceremony at the 1st Shaolin Summit at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Shaolin monks gathered and opened the Summit with a Buddhist Chant, overseen by Abbot Shi Yongxin. Their chant serves as a soundtrack for a montage of highlights of the day.

Opening Demonstration by Shaolin Warrior Monks at the 1st Shaolin Summit
Saturday, May 21, 2011: Opening Demonstration by Shaolin Warrior Monks. For the Summit, Shi Yanran coordinated the demonstrations. Yanran oversees the Shaolin Temple Cultural Centers in Fremont and San Francisco, CA, and in Herndon, VA. Yanran demonstrates Iron Head at 4:38.

Announcement of SANA and Panel Discussion: Zen: the Power of the Mind and Martial Arts at the 1st Shaolin Summit
Saturday, May 21, 2011: Announcement of SANA by Peter Shiao. Panel Discussion: Zen: the Power of the Mind and Martial Arts. Panelists included Gene Ching, Mark Dacascos, Dr. David Rapkin, Lucia Rijker and Shi Yanfan, and was moderated by Jonathan Blank.

Abbot Shi Yongxin's speech at the 1st Shaolin Summit (with English translation).
Saturday, May 21, 2011: Abbot Shi Yongxin gives a speech at the 1st Shaolin Summit (with English translation). The Summit provided simultaneous translation of all the proceedings over headphones provided to every audience member. Due to a small glitch, the translation of the initial portion of the Abbot's speech was lost, but the majority is translated.

Shi Yande's lecture on bowing at the 1st Shaolin Summit (with English translation).
Saturday, May 21, 2011: Shi Yande gives a lecture on bowing. Yande is a master of martial arts, Chan Tea, calligraphy and the traditional Chinese musical instruments of Guqin (zither) and bamboo flute.

Shi Yanli's lecture on core Buddhist values at the 1st Shaolin Summit (with English translation).
Saturday, May 21, 2011: Shi Yanli gives a lecture on core Buddhist values. Yanli is the Vice President of the Shaolin Association and is dedicated to introducing Americans to Chan Buddhism. He serves as a leader at the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Shi Yongliao retells a Chan parable at the 1st Shaolin Summit (with English translation).
Saturday, May 21, 2011: Shi Yongliao retells a Chan parable. Yongliao spent years in quiet cultivation on Mount Zhongnan. He serves as the Buddhist master in the Chan Meditation Hall of Shaolin Temple.

Shi Yanyong's lecture on meditation at the 1st Shaolin Summit (with English translation).
Saturday, May 21, 2011: Shi Yanyong gives a lecture on meditation. Yanyong has cultivated on the sacred mountains of Zhongnian, Emei, Song, Hua, Wudang and Yunju. He placed first in the 2009 Shaolin Chan debate.

Shi Yanyi discusses Shaolin medicine at the 1st Shaolin Summit (with English translation).
Saturday, May 21, 2011: Shi Yanyi discusses Shaolin medicine. Yanyi is an expert on Traditional Shaolin Medicine, especially acupuncture and massage. He has published books on orthopedics and healing.

Traditional Shaolin forms
Saturday, May 21, 2011: A demonstration of traditional Shaolin including Dahongquan, Xiaohongquan, Tongbiquan, Luohan Shibashou, Jingangquan, and Xiaoluohanquan.

Shaolin Yijinjing
Saturday, May 21, 2011: A demonstration of the fundamental Shaolin qigong method Yijinjing, also known as the Muscle Tendon Change Classic.

Shaolin Imitative Styles
Saturday, May 21, 2011: A demonstration of modern imitative styles practiced at Shaolin including Tiger, Mantis, Snake, Eagle, Monkey and Drunken.

Closing Demonstrations at the 1st Shaolin Summit
Saturday, May 21, 2011: There were three Shaolin kung fu demonstrations staged at the Shaolin Summit. This was the final demo.

Two Days in Three Minutes
A highlight reel of Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin's 2011 visit to Los Angeles

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	1st Shaolin Summit & SANA

About Video by Greg Lynch Jr. Commentary by Gene Ching:
Greg Lynch Jr. is a frequent contributor to KungFuMagazine.com. His company, Bad Ass Bunny Productions is working on a documentary of Grandmaster Tu Jin-Sheng. For more information, visit IronCrotchDoc.com. For more coverage of the Abbot's visit to America, watch for our September October 2011 issue.