Songshan Shaolin Temple Day

[GeneChing]

It's March 21st and I don't see any of the Shaolin Cultural Centers observing Songshan Shaolin Temple Day this year. I even have to skip practice tonight to meet with an author.

[GeneChing]

I'm told that both Yanran and Yanxu are doing some sort of SSTD observance, but I'm not sure what exactly. Perhaps a member here can fill us in?

[ShaolinDiva]

Shi Yan Xu of the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center in Temple City, CA has a celebration every year. I , in fact, didn't realize that it was official from the state and will plan to send it more to the press next year for more coverage.

The rain god hasn't been kind to us in the last two years as we planned for outside events (hiking, meditation, performances, picnic) therefore we had to change it this year again to back at the temple.

This year we had a Buddhist meditation lecture from all of our 4 shifu/masters. They spoke about how through Shaolin culture cultivation, one can reach "Chán wǔ 禅武 - martial zen " - learning Buddhism through Shaolin kung fu. Also how qi cultivation is intergrated through Shaolin kung fu with mind, body and spirit. The shifus demonstrated what their interpretation of how qi works through the body by combining the yin/yang - soft/hard .

We also had student performances, shifu performances and a talent show. We also had a buffet of vegetarian food.

We also received a special letter from the abbot congratulating us on Shaolin Temple Day and how Shaolin shall continue to spread its culture through out the USA.

We never charge for our events and is free to everybody who wants to come and celebrate with Shaolin shifus / masters.

Check out Facebook at Shaolin Temple Cultural Center for pictures.

[GeneChing]

Coincidentally, I was just speaking to a rep from Senator Leland Yee's office yesterday. Such is the Shaolin Zone, which I've been emerged in since our Shaolin Special 2012 went into production....

[GeneChing]

Shaolin In My Heart is of course, the title of the Abbot's autobiography.

2012 Shaolin Temple Day
Art • Poetry • Essay Contest
Theme:
Shaolin In My Heart

• Call for Entries •
from Shaolin Temple Students, Alumni and their Families

This year, Shaolin Temple USA commemorate this special occasion with art, poetry and essays. We call for entries from all our current and former students and their families. From March 21, the proclaimed Shaolin Temple Day to April 20, 2012, we are accepting entries of artwork, poetry and essays with the general theme of Shaolin in My Heart. They can be work that you have previous done, or wthat your aregoing to create.

We have discovered that there are “Crouching Tigers, Hidden Dragons” amongst our students and their families. Our young students have vivid imaginations and love to draw. They have presented us with the most interesting depictions of Shaolin Kung Fu and their Sifus. Other students are accomplished artists, poets and writers in their own right.

All entries must be original work inspired by the theme Shaolin in My Heart. You can create artwork, poetry or essays around your personal knowledge, experience and aspirations about Shaolin culture and Shaolin spirit. Your work can be in English or Chinese.

Be creative, scholarly or humorous, all are welcome.

Entry Submission Deadline:
April 20, 2012

Why this Contest?

Since 2009, every year in March, Shaolin Temple USA has been celebrating China Song Shaolin Temple Day in different ways. In 2009, we produced a 6-day multiple-city celebration with the theme of: 1,500 Years of Cultural Heritage: Shaolin Chan Buddhism, Kung Fu and Medicine. Events included a whole-day celebration at San Francisco Union Square that began with a Buddhist Morning Prayer presided by Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin of Songshan Shaolin Temple; a large scale Shaolin Kung Fu Performance at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts; and a full day of celebration in Sacramento with official ceremonies at the State Senate and Assembly. In 2010, Shaolin Temple USA Culture Centers in San Francisco and Fremont, CA celebrated Shaolin Temple Day with Kung Fu Performances, Chan meditation and vegetarian food tasting. Last year, we celebrated Shaolin Temple Day with a Student Kung Fu Competition in the Shaolin Warrior spirit of “Valor, Diligence, Grace and Open Mindedness.” .

Now in 2012, we are highlighting “The Arts” as in four different areas of accomplishments that made Shaolin Temple famous for over a millenium: Chan Buddhism, Kung Fu, Medicine and the Arts. Songshan Shaolin Temple has been the home of many of China’s most distinguished poets, calligraphers and painters. Shaolin Temple and Shaolin Culture have inspired many brillant literary and artistic masterpieces throughout Chinese history. It is Shaolin Temple USA’s mission to carry on the tradition and promote Shaolin arts in America.

Who can participate:
All current Shaolin Temple USA students, alumni and their families

Age Divisions:
• Youth: Up to 14 years old
• Adult: 15 years & older

Awards:
First 3 places of the Youth and Adult Divisions
for Art, Poetry and Essays.
• 1st Place: Ink rubbing of the famous Shaolin Temple stele “Bodhidharma Crossing the River on a Reed.”
• 2nd Place: Blessed Jade Buddha Amulet
• 3rd Place: Theraputic Charcoal Neck Pillow

Announcement of Results:
May 6, 2012, on Shaolin Temple USA website,
by email and to the press.

Awards Ceremony:
Saturday, May 20, 2012 • At Shaolin Temple USA’s 5th Anniversary Celebration event. Place to be announced.

Display of Award Winning Work:
Digital representations of artwork, poetry and essays selected for awards will be exhibited on Shaolin Temple USA’s website. Original artwork or copy will be displayed at Shaolin Temple USA Culture Centers.

How to submit your work:

Digital review file of artwork: You may send a review version of your original art in jpg format no larger than 2 MB in size to: ShaolinTempleUSA@ShaolinUSA.us. If your submission is selected for an award, we may request the original artwork or higher resolution digital copy.
Original artwork: Submit to Shaolin Temple USA headquarters in San Francisco, 5509 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94121.
Poetry and Essays: Email with with entry form to ShaolinTempleUSA@ShaolinUSA.us.

Entry Form:

Download the Entry form (MS Word Doc) or request for one at the front desk. The form must be completely filled out and signed by the artist/author, or by a parent/guardian if participant is under 18 years old. The signed Entry Form can be in hard copy and delivered with your work, or in digital form submitted with your work by email.

CONTEST RULES

All entries shall be treated as being free of restrictions and limitations on their use, reproduction, and publication.

Entry Specifications

Title of Work: Give your work a unique name or title. “Shaolin In My Heart” is the theme.
Artwork (illustrations, drawings, paintings, etc. NO photographs please) must meet size requirements:
— Email submission for review: 2 MB
— Original art: 8.5"x11" to 24"x36"
All artwork must be signed and properly labeled on the back with:
— artist’s name
— title of work
— age group (Yourth or Adult)
— contact phone number
Poems: 30 lines or less.
Essays: 300-1,500 words in English; 500-2,000 word in Chinese.

Artist/author statement of originality:
Confirm that the entry is your own orginal creation. Describe your work and explain in 50-100 words what inspired the work.

Copyright release: Artist/artist grants full right to Shaolin Temple USA to use the submitted work in any manner it deems appropriate.

Submitted work will NOT be returned.

Origin of Shaolin Temple Day in the United States

On March 21, 2004, a China Songshan Shaolin Temple Delegation led by the Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin was honored by the California State Assembly with the proclamation of “China Songshan Shaolin Temple Day.” A full scale Shaolin Kung Fu Performance by the world famous Shaolin warrior monks followed at Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco. The Legislative Resolution leading to this historic event was authored by California Senator Dr. Leland Yee (then Speaker pro Tempore of the California Assembly), an avid supporter of Chinese culture.

On March 21, 2009, China Songshan Shaolin Temple Day was again celebrated in San Francisco, followed by another breathtaking Shaolin Kung Fu Performance at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts on March 22, 2009, and a visit to the State Capitol five years after the 2004 proclamation of Shaolin Temple Day. The 6-day event was attended by thousands of local residents, honored guests and friends from around the world.

A large scale celebration is planned for the 10th Anniversity of Shaolin Temple Day in 2014 at multiple locations throughout the United States.

[ShaolinDiva]

Read all about it here....

http://www.shaolin.org.cn/templates/...contentid=6214

[GeneChing]

Wow, a decade gone by so quickly...

China Songshan Shaolin Temple Day
10th Anniversary Celebration

March 17-23, 2014

Host:
• Shaolin Temple USA •

Cohosts:
• Co-hosts: Shaolin Temple USA Culture Center of San Francisco •
• Shaolin Temple USA Culture Center of Fremont, CA •
• Shaolin Temple USA Culture of Herndon, VA •
• Shaolin Kung Fu & Zen Medicine Wellness Center, Sunnyvale, CA •

Shaolin
1,500 Years of Cultural Heritage
Chan Buddhism • Shaolin Kung Fu • Shaolin Medicine

Events:

March 17, 2014 • Monday
12:30 pm
San Francisco International Airport
Airport Welcome for The Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin
and China Songshan Shaolin Temple Delegation

March 18, 2014 • Tuesday
2:00 pm
Press Conference at Shaolin Temple USA Culture Center of San Francisco
7:00 pm
Welcome Banquet for Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin and Delegation

March 19, 2014 • Wednesday
5:00 pm
Forum: Kung Fu and Meditation in Buddhist Practice:
A View from the Shaolin Temple
Place: Wheeler Hall, UC Berkeley
Event Sponsor: Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, UC Berkeley

March 21, 2014 • Friday
Celebration in California State Capitol, Sacramento

March 22, 2014 • Saturday
9:30 am
Buddhist Blessings Ceremony presided by Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin
5th Anniversary Celebration of Grand Opening
Shaolin Temple USA Culture Center of San Francisco
Open to the public. Blessed amulet from the Abbot for everyone
Address: 5509 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA

March 22, 2014 • Saturday
7:00 pm
Magnificent Shaolin
Breathtaking Shaolin Kung Fu Performance by
The world famous Shaolin Temple Warrior Monks.
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco,CA
The splendid harmony of Shaolin Martial Arts & Chan Buddhism
that inhabits the ancient monastery comes to life on stage.
Show opens with
Buddhist Blessings Ceremony presided by Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin
• plus •
Shaolin Kung Fu recital by Sifus & students from
Shaolin Temple USA Culture Center of San Francisco
Shaolin Temple USA Culture Center of Fremont, CA
Shaolin Temple USA Culture Center of Herndon, VA
Stanford University HIP Shaolin Kung Fu class

For more information:
Please call 415-666-9966
Email: ShaolinTempleUSA@ShaolinUSA.us

Tickets: $38, $58, $78, $108 (VIP)
Buy Tickets on Line: « ChineseTicketBox.com ».
Hotline: 510-413-9988

March 23, 2014 • Sunday
10:00 am
Grand Opening of Shaolin Kung Fu & Zen Medicine Wellness Center
441 De Guigne Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Buddhist Blessings & Unveiling Ceremony presided by Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin

March 23, 2014 • Sunday
4:00 pm
Zen Life Seminar & Workshop
6:00 pm
Zen Vegetarian Banquet
Place: Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (Event Sponsor)


1st China Songshan Shaolin Temple Day, March 21, 2004
Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin and Shaolin Monks with State and City officials
after a performance of Shaolin Kung Fu at Masonic Auditorium, San Francisco.
Warrior Monk Shi Yanran (4th right, 1st row), now Executive Director of Shaolin Temple USA,
was a member of the 2004 China Songshan Shaolin Temple Delegation.



China Songshan
Shaolin Temple
• Established 495 AD •
Birthplace of Chan Buddhism
& Shaolin Kung Fu

Chan Buddhism is known in some parts of the world as Zen Buddhism.

About Shaolin Temple Day

On March 21, 2004, a China Songshan Shaolin Temple Delegation led by the Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin was honored by the California State Assembly with the proclamation of “China Songshan Shaolin Temple Day.” A full scale Shaolin Kung Fu Performance by the world famous Shaolin warrior monks followed at Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco. The Legislative Resolution leading to this historic event was authored by California Senator Dr. Leland Yee (then Speaker pro Tempore of the California Assembly), an avid supporter of Chinese culture.


Senator Leland Yee presented Abbot Shi Yongxin with the Legislative Resolution on Shaolin Temple Day in 2004.

2009 Shaolin Temple Day


On Saturday, March 21, 2009, China Songshan Shaolin Temple Day was again celebrated in San Francisco, followed another breathtaking Shaolin Kung Fu Performance at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday March 22, 2009, and a visit to the State Capitol five years after the 2004 proclamation of Shaolin Temple Day.

[GeneChing]

The Tiger Claw Foundation is supporting Magnificent Shaolin, part of the of Shaolin Temple Day 10th Anniversary Celebration, on March 22, 2014 at the Palace of Fine Arts, in San Francisco, CA.
In cooperation with ShaolinUSA.us and KungFuMagazine.com.



Hope to see you there.

[GeneChing]

Officially declared by California State Assembly's Speaker pro Tempore, Dr. Leland Yee, on March 21st, 2004.

I was planning to go to Shi Yanran's vegetarian BBQ yesterday, but it was pouring rain. I'm sure he would have said it was ganlu.

On another note, we'll be holding a special competition for Songshan Shaolin Champion at TCKFMCIII. Stay tuned. More to come!

[LFJ]

http://shanghaiist.com/2014/03/26/sh...ught_to_yo.php

Of course Shaolin monks love Google Glass



Detailed in an article on their official web site, the kung-fu experts from Henan's Shaolin temple decided to take a break from their daily routine of kicking ass to visit the Google HQ in San Francisco so they could try on Google Glass, give a presentation on Shaolin, and - of course - show off their sweet, sweet moves.



Led by their fearless leader/firm believer in the existence of aliens Abbot Shi Yongxin, the monks answered questions from Google employees about their awesome lifestyle. The group of Shaolin monks were joined by members of San Francisco's Shaolin Cultural Center, but unfortunately neither RZA, nor GZA, nor any other members of Wu-Tang past or present could be found.



The event did, however, culminate in the ridiculously awesome photo-op of Abbot Shi sporting Google Glass. One possible reason for this cross-cultural event at Google is the company's recent attempts to make Glass "hipper." Google apparently announced yesterday that it signed a deal with Luxottica, the company behind Ray-Ban and Oakley, to design and sell new frames for Glass, in an attempt to make wearers not look like crazed cyborgs.

If assembling the forces of Shaolin is all just a part of Google's campaign to make Glass cool...well, then they're most definitely playing their cards right.

[GeneChing]

We've covered Songshan Shaolin Temple Day since its inception in 2004. Songshan Shaolin Temple Day was officially declared by California State Assembly's Speaker pro Tempore, Dr. Leland Yee, on March 21st, 2004. For the whole story, see my article Shaolin Temple in San Francisco Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin, California’s “Songshan Shaolin Temple Day,” UNESCO and a Buddhist Music Concert in our July/August 2004 Shaolin Special.

Well, we all know what happened to Leland Yee.

Anyone doing anything for Shaolin Temple Day 2017?

[GeneChing]

Here we are, the day after equinox, March 21 2018, the 14th anniversary of Songshan Shaolin Temple Day.

And nothing. I don't see a single thing on the newsfeeds. This is why we can't have nice things. No follow through.

I even forgot to wear a Shaolin shirt today.

[GeneChing]

A Shaolin Festival was held in Rosemead CA last Sunday in honor of Songshan Shaolin Temple Day.

They had a facebook page.

Shaolin festival
Date: MARCH 18, 2018 TIME: 1PM
LOCATION:
Rosemead Park 4343 Encinita Ave,
Rosemead, CA 91770
We will have Event “shaolin festival ” on 3/18 (sun) this year. Bring your friends and family to come join.
Featuring
• Martial arts demostration brought to you
by all SoCal Shaolin Kung Fu Schools.
• Meditation Sessions
• Wellness Exhibits
• Interactive Kung Fu Lessons and Games
• Tea Ceremony and Tasting
• Incense Ceremony
• Guqin, Guzheng Performances
• Gift Bags
• Gift Lottery
Organizer:
美國少林寺文化中心
Shaolin Temple Cultural Center USA
www.shaolinus.com
洛杉磯少林寺文化中心
Shaolin Temple Cultural Center Chinatown LA
www.shaolinus.com
少林武士學院
Shaolin warrior academy
https://www.discovershaolin.com/
聖地亞哥少林寺
Shaolin Temple San Diego
www.Shaolintemplesd.com
美国橙县少林寺文化中心
Orange County Shaolin Temple Cultural Center
www.shaolinyq.com
美國少林功夫中心
U S Kung fu center
www.uskungfucenter.com
少林寺禪武中心
Shaolin temple Kung fu center
www.shaolinabc.com
少林功夫院
Shaolin Kungfu Yuan Arcadia School
www.usshaolinkungfuyuan.com
拉斯維加斯少林功夫禪
Shaolin Kungfu Chan Las Vegas
www.KungFuChan.com
核桃市少林寺文化中心
Shaolin Temple Cultural Center Walnut
www.shaolinus.com
奇諾崗市少林寺文化中心
Shaolin Temple Cultural Center Chino Hills
www.shaolinus.co

Here's a participant vid.


Now I feel really bad about my lack of Shaolin attire today.

[GeneChing]

Monday, March 18, 2019
Songshan Shaolin Temple Day celebrated in Los Angeles
CGTN



Shaolin Kungfu Chan Academy in Los Angeles hosted an annual workout event Sunday in Hacienda Heights, a suburban area east of downtown Los Angeles, in celebration of California's Songshan Shaolin Temple Day.

Hundreds of local residents and Chinese Kungfu fans took part in the event at Thomas Burton Park, where a variety of interactive sessions were prepared to allow them to experience Shaolin culture, including Chan meditation, martial arts and more.

"I attend (the) Shaolin Temple Day event every single year," said Jacob Fletcher, a local resident. "Chan philosophy is good for my body and mind. I love it, and want to know more about it."


The gate of Songshan Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, June 13, 2009. /VCG Photo

"We have hosted Songshan Shaolin Temple Day celebrations here for five years in a row," said Shi Yanyue, head of the academy. "The event is widely welcomed in the community. Our goal is to share Chan culture with American people."

In January 2004, the California State Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to designate March 21 as "Songshan Shaolin Temple Day." On March 23, 2009, the California State Senate also passed a similar resolution to set the celebration day in recognition of the 1,500-year-old Shaolin cultural heritage.


A Shaolin martial arts display at a cultural event held by a shopping mall in Los Angeles, January 28, 2018. /VCG Photo

"Shaolin Kungfu is more than martial arts," proclaimed the Senate resolution. "It is a discipline that helps people achieve better physical and spiritual balance. And the Shaolin teachings enable many Californians to find common ground in our diversity."

Shaolin Temple, a Chan Buddhist temple in Henan Province of China, is famous as an ancestral monastery of the Chan sect, "mecca" of Kungfu and medical practices of Buddhism.

Shaolin Kungfu combines Zen meditations from the Buddhist sect Chanzong (one of the most important branches of Buddhism in China) with martial arts, and it is known for its sharp, powerful and accurate movements and efficient skills in defense and attack.


(Shaolin participants perform at a show in Chania, Greece, August 10, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Glad to see LA is still observing this. I haven't heard of anything happening here in the SF Bay Area. We have Berkeley CMAT this weekend, and I hear they are doing special Shaolin divisions akin to what we started last year with the Songshan Shaolin division at the Tiger Claw Elite KungFuMagazine.com Championship. I understand Shi Yanran is pushing for that, so perhaps it's in honor of Songshan Shaolin Day. We shall see.