Venerable Sheng Yen from Dharma DrumI'm guessing that most people on this forum can't even name another Chinese Chan Buddhist abbot.
Venerable Sheng Yen from Dharma DrumI'm guessing that most people on this forum can't even name another Chinese Chan Buddhist abbot.
Hung Sing Martial Arts Association
Self Protection, Self Confidence, Physical Fitness
www.HungSingChoyLayFut.com
Martial Arts Training and fitness Blog
http://hungsingmartialarts.blogspot.com/
...however I thought Sheng Yen was no longer in China. Isn't he in Taiwan now?
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
Master Sheng Yen has passed on.
http://www.ddm.org.tw/event/master_s.../en/index.html
Respect.
Last edited by wenshu; 03-12-2009 at 12:01 AM.
...way too many suplexes.
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
The Shaolin cultural center had a press conference at Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena on March 13, 2009. I have uploaded an hd video of the conference. It's about a half hour long with a short martial arts demonstration at the end performed by Shi Yan Xu and his brother.
Shaolin Press Conference
Due to our little forum blip yesterday, my posts on this thread were lost. Impermanence...
Thanks for that vid, enoajnin. That was a lot of speeches for the first lines of dahong and some wushu shuangdao.
I'm about to leave for a press conference at Yanran's place here in Fremont. It's open to the public so come on down! It starts at 10:00am. 4343 Peralta Boulevard (at Dusterberry), Fremont, CA 94536 Tel: (510) 818-9966 Fax: (510) 818-9960 Email: ShaolinUSA@yahoo.com.cn. This is the place described in my article The Temple and the Auto Shop in our 2009 January/February Shaolin Special.
Here's the schedule for the Abbot's visit up in the Bay Area:
Shaolin
1,500 Years of Cultural Heritage
Chan Buddhism • Shaolin Kung Fu • Shaolin Medicine
Program
March 18 - 23, 2009
San Francisco - Fremont - San Jose - Sacramento
March 18, 2009 • Wednesday
San Francisco International Airport
Airport Welcome for The Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin and China Songshan Shaolin Temple Delegation
9:00 am
Arrival of Abbot Shi Yongxin and Delegation
San Francisco International Airport
United Airlines Flight 888 from Beijing
You are welcome to join us in greeting the Abbot at the arrival.
To check status of a flight online, go to http://www.united.com. Or call United International at 800.538.2929.
10:00 am
Press Conference at Reflection Room at Airport
Group photo with the Venerable Abbot
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 19, 2009 • Thursday • 9:30 - 11 30 am
Shaolin Temple USA Culture Center
5509 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 9121
Grand Opening
9:30 am
Buddhist Ceremony presided by the Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin of China Songshan Shaolin Temple, the Venerable Master Ru Xiu of Da Bei Temple and the Venerable Master Chi Hoi of Foshan Monastry: Consecration of Triple Gem Buddha Statues and and blessings for the new Cutlure Center.
10:00 am
Guest Speakers
10:30 am
Shaolin Kung Fu Demonstration
11:00
Buddhist Offerings. To make offering, please contact Amy Tung at 408-472-2530.
March 19, 2009 • Thursday • 2:00 pm
East Asian Library, UC Berkeley
The Abbot and Delegation visit the East Asian Library and Electronic Cultural Atlas Initiative.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 20, 2009 • Friday
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
Guided tour of exhibits for Abbot Shi Yongxin and Delegation. The Abbot meets with Executive Director and Museum Board Members on future collaborations.
Osher Institute of Integrative Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
Abbot Shi Yongxin meets with Medical and Department Heads on fusion of East-West Medicine.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 21, 2009 • Satruday • 10 am - 5 pm
Union Square, San Francisco
Shaolin Temple Day Celebration
1,500 Years of Cultural Heritage
Chan Buddhism • Shaolin Kung Fu • Shaolin Medicine
10:30 am
Spring Prayer for World Peace and the American People presided by
Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin of China Songshan Shaolin Temple
11:00 am
Greetings from the Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin, Senator Leland Yee and Shi Yanran, Director of Shaolin Temple USA
Guest Speakers
Lion Dance
Ribbon Cutting
12 noon, 3 pm
Shaolin Kung Fu Demonstration
Free Lessons:
Shaolin Kung Fu, Qigong, classic Shaolin Wellness Exercises
Photo Display:
History of Shaolin Temple, Shaolin Culture: Chan Buddhism, Shaolin Kung Fu, Shaolin Medicine, Shaolin Temple cultural exchange activities abroad
Shaolin Cultural Booths:
Shaolin Medicine, Chan Tea & Cuisine, Shaolin Monk Attire, Shaolin Weapons, Books & Arts & much more...
March 21, 2009 • Saturday 6:30 pm
Ming's
1700 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Vegetarian Banquet honoring the Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin.
More information: 510-818-9966
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 22, 2009 • Sunday 10 am - 12:30 pm
Shaolin Temple USA Fremont Culture Center
4343 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536
Abbot Shi Yongxin meets with students, parents and local residents
Group photo with the Venerable Abbot
March 22, 2009 • Sunday 3:30 pm
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose, CA 95113
Magnificent Shaolin
Spectacular Shaolin Kung Fu • Breathtaking Qigong Feats
The splendid harmony of Shaolin Martial Arts & Chan Buddhism
that inhabits the ancient monastery comes to life on stage.
Performed by Kung Fu Monks of the visiting China Songshan Shaolin Temple Delegation & Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Monks stationed at Shaolin Temple USA
Abbot Shi Yongxin conducts blessing ceremony
For more information:
Please call 415-666-9966
Email: ShaolinUSA@yahoo.com.cn
Tickets: $28, $48, $68, $98 (VIP)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 23, 2009 • Monday
California State Capitol, Sacramento
China Songshan Shaolin Temple Day celebration
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
"“hi-ya!” their way into your heart"
This is somewhat related since Abbot Yongxin is here to visit the two American Shaolin Cultural Centers. I was going to ask how many there are worldwide now - this article reports 28 - I'll probably still ask, just to double check.Shaolin Temple Abbot - Venerable Grand Monk Master Shi Yong Xin & Shaoling Temple Kung Fu Monks Team
Date/Time:Tue., March 24, 7:00pm
Typically, the thought of monks brings forth images of peace and tranquility—not supreme kung-fu beat-downs. For 1,500 years, the monks of China’s Shaolin Temple have been guardians of two of the country’s greatest customs: Buddhism and kung fu. The temple is the birthplace of some of the most famous martial arts, devised to protect the grounds from bandits and later becoming one of the monks’ strongest traditions—and lucky to be here today. The Communist regime declared war on all old ideas and closed the country’s monasteries during the Cultural Revolution. But Jet Li helped to breathe new life into the temple after filming the 1982 classic Shaolin Temple there. It was the first martial-arts film to be shown in mainland China and sparked an international interest in the monks’ unique practices. Witness Venerable Grand Monk Master Shi Yong Xin and the Shaoling Temple Kung Fu Monks Team as they “hi-ya!” their way into your heart.
I found this amusing since the So.CA portion of the Abbot's trip involves Disneyland in a peripheral way.Kungfu shrine monastery planning new tourism scheme amid financial crisis
BEIJING, March 12 (Xinhua) -- China's Shaolin Temple and the global financial crisis, far-fetched? The abbot of the legendary kungfu shrine believes otherwise.
The temple is planning a new tourism project aimed to inspire more confidence into people struggling in the prevailing financial crisis, through "perception of Zen's wisdom and power", said Shi Yongxin, the abbot.
"The plan is to let tourists have a taste of living as followers of Zen Buddhism," said Shi, "and people can come to meditate sitting cross legged and eat vegetables only like other monks."
The financial crisis has not impacted people's spending on culture and tourism, he told Xinhua on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislative body.
The number of visitors was unaffected and even increased by about 10 percent since the unfolding of the crisis, according to Shi, also an NPC deputy.
The 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple in China's central province of Henan on average receives more than 2 million tourists every year.
"Shaolin Kong Fu can make people physically stronger, and living the life of Zen followers can lead them to the perception of Zen's wisdom," he said, "such practices are both very popular among tourists."
The famed Shaolin temple has been frequently in the spotlight of media under the leadership of Shi, as the temple developed business ventures include kungfu shows, film production and online selling.
The latest commercial move of Shi is to open franchised "offshoot" outside Henan Province, such as in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
Shi said the temple is also planning to open a branch in Hong Kong, in a move to promote the Shaolin Kungfu and Chinese culture globally.
His undertakings aroused controversy among the Chinese public. Some accused him of running Shaolin like a business, giving him the nickname of the "CEO monk".
Others said it is a good way to develop Shaolin in such a brand-oriented society because commercialized operation helps protect and spread Chinese kungfu further.
The Shaolin temple has so far set up 28 overseas centers in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia and other countries to promote Shaolin kungfu and Chinese culture.
80 percent of netizens strongly support Shaolin Temple's rivalry of Disneyland
12:54, February 25, 2009
After the article about the Shaolin Temple planning to build a branch in Hong Kong was published on February 23, it drew attention from readers nationwide. Over 50 websites in China quoted the full text.
How do netizens feel about Songshan Shaolin Temple's plan to build another Shaolin Temple in Hong Kong? To understand their opinions, Sohu.com launched a large-scale opinion poll on its website, entitled "Do you support the Shaolin Temple building a branch in Hong Kong costing 420 million HKD?"
The supporting side argues to "support the construction of the Hong Kong Shaolin Temple" in order to better promote Shaolin culture among the people of Hong Kong, and so they can learn the secrets of Shaolin kung fu right on their doorstep. At the same time, it will become a new scenic spot to attract tourists and garner economic benefits. One netizen in Shanghai said, "Now that western culture is spreading everywhere, building a Shaolin Temple in Hong Kong means that Asian culture, represented by Shaolin, can fully rival Disneyland, which represents western culture."
Those who "oppose the construction of the Hong Kong Shaolin Temple" say forking out such a huge sum of money to build a branch temple is an expensive waste. The significance of the Shaolin Temple lies in Buddhist spirituality, not in martial arts tips and commercial expansion.
By 7:00 pm on February 23, a total of 7,703 people have participated in the opinion poll. According to the results, 6,679 people voted in favor of the Shaolin temple plan, while merely 1,024 people voted against it. The results showed a great disparity between the two opinions, which shocked even Abbot Shi Yongxin of the Shaolin Temple. "That is not easy! (Zhen bu rong yi!)," Shi commented using four Chinese characters when he was informed of the results.
Considering the plan for the Shaolin Temple and opinions from netizens, Xia Wanqun, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Folk Literature and Art Society, said, "After reform and opening-up, traditional Chinese culture has continuously been on the defense. The Shaolin Temple, however, has actively spread traditional Chinese culture to the world while revealing the value of traditional Chinese culture. Their efforts are worthy of praise." He added that Shaolin culture implies universal values, which are a part of traditional Chinese culture. The construction of a branch temple in Hong Kong is not only an opportunity for the Shaolin Temple to spread its culture to the whole world, but also a platform for it to spread the culture of China's central plains. "I believe most netizens are aware of this point. That is why they support the Shaolin Temple's plan to build a branch temple in Hong Kong."
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
It was quite a weekend. Since I was with the Abbot's entourage yesterday for the Sacramento trip, I'm behind on my Monday chores here. I also have a doctor's appointment this afternoon so I won't get the chance to dole out a complete report (besides I'm saving the good stuff for our print magazine ).
USA Shaolin Temple has been keeping a list of news items (mostly Chinese) along with some slideshows and such. Check it out.
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
This was the strongest demo of the ones I saw during the run. I was seated right below this camera. Unfortunately this vid focuses on the performance routines - there's only on segment that shows some traditional. There was a lot more traditional but that was edited out. Click for vid.
Shaolin Kung Fu Masters
Shaolin Kung Fu Monks perform the harmony of Shaolin Martial Arts - that inhabits the ancient monastery - to visiting Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin at Masonic Temple in downtown Sacramento.
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
I just searched the web and the article above is all that I could find. Kudos to Shi Yanyue for remembering.
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
Is anything happening for 2021? I haven't heard. But I'll burn some incense to celebrate.
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
Tomorrow marks the 20th Anniversary of the founding of Songshan Shaolin Temple Day.
Anyone know of any observations? I have not seen anything in the news. Reviewing this thread, it's feeling like yet another covid casualty.
I'll wear my SSTD shirt.
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart