IS ANYONE BACK FROM SHAOLIN VILLAGE?

[xian_witch]

if my memory serves me right, some people went to the songshan area the first week of this month for an event there? well, is anyone back , and if so, how about a friggin report??!!!

harmonize the forces of heaven, earth, and hell.

[GeneChing]

But I'm saving my reports for our upcoming Shaolin Special issue, as well as the PBS documentary that Martha and I have been working on.

Stay tuned....

Gene Ching
Asst. Publisher
Kungfu Qigong Magazine & www.KUNGFUmagazine.com (http://www.KUNGFUmagazine.com)

[Fu-Pow]

BRWH, do you go to Mak Fai's Kung Fu Club?

Fu-Pow
http://www.makskungfu.com/images/Graphics/Choy%20Lay%20Fut%20red.gif

[charliec]

Ah Gene let us know! A PBS Special! Awesome. :D

---
For those entering the
realm of Wu with their
mind on Ch'an, the
silent smile awaits
them. - Ch'au-Lu
www.thousandbuddha.org (http://www.thousandbuddha.org)

[Stumblefist]

Spearwarrior (barry is). He and 2 others trained at a school 500m from Shaolin. Also another 2 of his friends trined at SDU at the same time.Ask him.
He has post labelled "Shaolin's Destruction".

[GeneChing]

We covered it soon after it in Kungfu Qigong in our DEC 2000 issue. They made another big push just before the festival and some of the remaining private schools and shops between the temple and the stone gate were forced to relocate. Very sad.
Never did hook up with Barry unfortunately - my dance card was pretty full this time. Thanks for the effort and apologies we couldn't hook up.

Anyone still got any info on the fight rumor? Heming?

Gene Ching
Asst. Publisher
Kungfu Qigong Magazine & www.KUNGFUmagazine.com (http://www.KUNGFUmagazine.com)

[Stumblefist]

Gene: How to find this article? I getting tired of doing searches?
Bride: I mean meant you could ask Barry about his general experience of training there in the Shaolin Village area and at his school, not just the destruction stuff.
But i don't think he has KFO addiction but i think he saw some of the festival or them preparing for it. I don't think there is much left to Shaolin village. Apparently there wasn't anything to it before the government reopened Shaolin, either.

"Stumblefist, you are EVIL - the destroyer of the Dharma."

[GeneChing]

Stumble: If that article is online, it is so illegally. Right now the only way is to buy the back issue. Go to http://store.yahoo.com/martialartsmart/kunmag20deci.html
It's a strong issue - the 100 weapons article was extrememly well recieved, and you'll find another piece on Shaolin Tagou by me in that one. Hey, I gotta make some moner for the company here, I'm on the clock...

As for the state of Shaolin, everything between the temple and the Shaolin Temple Wushuguan is gone, except, of course the Scienti Fic-effect Club, which is government run. Tagou village (outside the stone gate) still stands although some bits have come down, as does the vendor section outside the Pagoda forest. I should mention that there have been many improvements - new restoration to the temple, etc, so the destruction is not without purpose. It is part of massive redevelopment plan.

As for the festivals - to me they were a little disappointing this year - the demos were smaller magnitude and despite making several efforts I totally missed the Sanda (grrrr!)

We will have full coverage with pics, interviews and opinions in Kungfu Qigong very soon. It was a good trip - I'd say all too short, but as you might already know, we got back just before the terrorist attack. I am very thankful that I was with my family then instead of on the road. We had the unique opportunity to have tea with Deyang in his private chambers in the temple (Yanming & Deru were also there) and have dinner with Suxi in his private chambers in the temple. Quite an honor. Anyway, lots of good shaolin stuff coming in the mag - now I have to get back to work and bust butt on it!

Gene Ching
Asst. Publisher
Kungfu Qigong Magazine & www.KUNGFUmagazine.com (http://www.KUNGFUmagazine.com)

[sean_stonehart]

Gene wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> As for the state of Shaolin, everything between the temple and the Shaolin Temple Wushuguan is gone, except, of course the Scienti Fic-effect Club, which is government run. Tagou village (outside the stone gate) still stands although some bits have come down, as does the vendor section outside the Pagoda forest. [/quote]

Wow I was just there in June. The buildings taken down between the temple & wushu guan... is that just the buildings on the same side of the road, or have they taken down the buildings & 2 schools on the other side of the "creek" across from the temple?

Have they taken anything down between the temple & Pagoda forest like that little bar-like thing just past the path to Damo's cave?

Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats.

-- H.L. Mencken

[GeneChing]

The buildings are down on both sides of the creek. Only a few gov't run things are still standing. The schools were being abandoned as I was there and there were bulldozers at the gates. All private schools are relocating to Dengfeng.
Much of the stuff between the temple and Pagoda forest is still up. Not sure what 'bar" you are refering to... some stuff had come down there, the area surrounding the temple is pretty much clear.
When things change at Shaolin, it can happen really fast. They made a big push just before the festival, so a lot came down since your last visit I imagine, but it's still Shaolin, just less congested.

Gene Ching
Asst. Publisher
Kungfu Qigong Magazine & www.KUNGFUmagazine.com (http://www.KUNGFUmagazine.com)

[Eddie]

Gene,
do you have any results on the San Da (or were there no fighting?

[GeneChing]

Sorry, I missed the San Da. Some of our crew went but not being martial artists (film people) and not speaking Chinese they could tell me much. By the time I got out there, it was all over, just a big empty stage where it was held. Major bumout.

Gene Ching
Asst. Publisher
Kungfu Qigong Magazine & www.KUNGFUmagazine.com (http://www.KUNGFUmagazine.com)

[Hui Clan]

I'll post a outlining overview with brief comments on my trip to Shaolin Festival and
China in general shortly! Also to the others that went to the Shaolin Festival and China in general! Welcome back! ;)