Abbot of Shaolin to Make Historic Third Visit to California
Senator Yee hosts world famous martial artists from Songshan Shaolin Temple, China
SACRAMENTO – On March 18th, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) will welcome to California the highest figure in Chinese Zen Buddhism, the Abbot of Shaolin, along with a delegation of monks from the Shaolin Temple in Songshan, China. The historic visit will be only the third time in which Abbot Shi Yong Xin has come to California. Previous Abbots had never visited the United States.
The Shaolin Temple, renown for its 1500-year-old martial arts and Buddhist scholars, is the birth place of Zen Buddhism. The monks of Shaolin have won fame and prestige for creating Shaolin Kung Fu, the most well known Chinese martial arts. These teachings are taught throughout the world, with several schools and teaching centers located in California.
“I am honored to welcome the Abbot and the 1500-year old Shaolin martial arts and culture to our state,” said Senator Yee. “Today, thousands of Californians, of diverse cultural, religious, racial, economic, and social backgrounds, study the teachings of Shaolin.”
In 2004, Senator Yee authored a resolution that proclaimed March 21st as Shaolin Temple Day in California.
This year, along with the China Songshan Shaolin Temple, the Shaolin Temple USA, and the Shaolin Cultural Center, Senator Yee will host a variety of events for Shaolin Temple Day. The 1-1/2 week-long celebrations begin with a welcome for Abbot Shi Yong Xin and his delegation at San Francisco International Airport on March 18; an all-day event at Union Square on March 21; a performance at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts on March 22; a visit to the Capitol and a performance in Sacramento on March 23; and ending with a variety of activities in the Los Angeles area between March 24 and March 29.
The following events are planned for Shaolin Temple Day in California:
Welcoming Abbot of China Songshan Shaolin Temple
Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 1:30pm-2:30pm
San Francisco International Airport, Reflection Room
Shaolin Temple Day Performance – San Francisco
Saturday, March 21, 2009, 10:00am-5:00pm
Union Square Plaza, San Francisco
Shaolin Temple Day Performance – San Jose
Sunday, March 22, 2009, 3:30pm
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, San Jose
Shaolin Temple Day Welcome and Performance – Sacramento
Monday, March 23, 2009,
12:30pm, Performance at the Masonic Temple, Sacramento
2:00pm, Welcome in the Senate Chambers
Shaolin Temple Day Celebrations in the Los Angeles Area
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 through Sunday, March 29, 2009
Various venues in Santa Ana, Temple City, Montebello, Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Anaheim
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