1st Shaolin Summit & SANA

[GeneChing]

More information coming soon. ;)

[wenshu]

Abbot Shi Yong Xin will be in Los Angeles, CA the weekend of Friday May 20th 2011.

The Los Angeles Shaolin Temple Cultural Center is hosting a banquet in his honor.

If anyone is interested in tickets let me know or contact the STCC.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LZZ116SJC7Q/TbiU6kx1wpI/AAAAAAAABys/BcR31Dzx514/s800/zuihou%20copy.jpg

[GeneChing]

SANA stands for the non-profit Shaolin Association of North America. This event is supported by the Tiger Claw Foundation (http://tigerclawfoundation.org/).


First Shaolin Summit Celebrates 1,500-Year-Old Birthplace of Eastern Martial Arts, Chan (Zen) Buddhism (April 27, 2011) (http://hollywoodindustry.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=1469635)

LOS ANGELES, April 27, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A first-of-its-kind event focusing on China's renowned ancient Shaolin Temple and its 1,500-year-old influence on traditional and popular cultures will be the center of a major summit to be held on Saturday, May 21st at the Los Angeles Convention Center (West Hall) from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. The first "Shaolin Summit" will celebrate the compelling appeal of Shaolin, the originating source of a substantial portion of Asian martial arts practiced today and birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism. An estimated 200 million people worldwide practice martial arts derived from Shaolin. The event will also feature a rare appearance by Shi Yong Xin, the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple of China. The event is being produced by the non-profit Shaolin Association of North America in association with the Shaolin Temple of China.

Peter Shiao, President of the Shaolin Association of North America and CEO of Orb Media Group, one of the day's sponsors, said the event is expected to draw thousands of followers and enthusiasts of the Shaolin Temple, united in supporting its basic philosophy of bringing compassion and health into the world that empower people through non-sectarian practices.

"We are reaching out to the millions of members of the worldwide Shaolin family in Western territories across the globe. We invite people to be part of Shaolin – our goal is to share greater first-hand understanding and appreciation of the disciplines, practices and ethos of Shaolin in a way that has never been done on a large scale, and to bring together a community that can participate in a myriad of future programs aimed to empower and enlighten our community members," Shiao stated.

Events during the day will include powerful Shaolin Martial Arts/kung fu demonstrations with secret techniques and training tips revealed by authentic Shaolin Warrior Monks; a dialog with the Shaolin Temple's Abbot Shi Yong Xin, along with a preview of his autobiography; and panel discussions on the power of meditation and martial arts, Shaolin's cultural heritage and its influence on popular culture today.

Tickets are $20 per person through May 14th, after which the price will be $25 per person online or at the door. Groups of 10 or more will have a fixed price of $20 per person. A limited number of seats are available, so tickets should be ordered by visiting www.shaolinunited.com or calling 310-358-3136.

In addition to Orb Media Group, event sponsors to date include East West Bank, Kung Fu Magazine and United Studios of Self Defense. For further tax-deductible sponsorship information by corporations, organizations and individuals, contact Robert Wu at 310-358-3187 or Robert@orbmediagroup.com. A similar event is being planned for New York on May 23rd in association with the Asia Society (www.asiasociety.org).

About the Shaolin Temple

The Shaolin Temple of China has persevered through 1,500 years of evolution, affected by invasions, wars and revolutions, dynasties and more. Shaolin became the most famous Buddhist temple in China and grew into a center of philosophy, history, mathematics, martial arts and poetry. Today, Shaolin's powerful influence in these areas is still felt. The Temple is located in the Songshan region of China and has also continued its unbroken cultural and philanthropic initiatives, including work with orphans and other charitable endeavors, large scale performances and demonstrations, preservation and teaching of its core practices in martial arts, health/healing and the arts, and many international cultural and educational initiatives.

Shaolin's reach extends to many areas of global popular culture, having influenced a large body of films and television programs (such as Shaolin Temple, that gave rise to the career of Jet Li, The Last Airbender and Shaolin Soccer, among others), games and lifestyle though kung-fu, fighting choreography, storylines and philosophy. Orb Media Group, as one example, has several entertainment initiatives in development based on Shaolin principles as part of its mission to generate transformative content across multiple media platforms worldwide.

Shaolin Association of North America was formed earlier this year to provide greater access to the institution by students, supporters and enthusiasts, and is composed of key Shaolin affiliated organizations in North America. In addition to the annual Summit, the non-profit entity will provide a touring Speaker Series featuring Shaolin Masters, wellness retreats at the Shaolin Temple, and various educational initiatives aimed at youth and at-risk communities in America.

CONTACT: Craig Parsons for the Shaolin Summit
310.472.7632 or 310.200.4310

[wenshu]

SANA stands for the non-profit Shaolin Association of North America. This event is supported by the Tiger Claw Foundation (http://tigerclawfoundation.org/).

Looks interesting, I wonder how many will attend and if it will be a purely "kempo" type audience or attract a more diverse group of adherents.

[GeneChing]

I have already heard from some non-Kempo Shaolin aficionados who plan to attend. We'll have more to come on this shortly.

BTW, you do realize that this is Judgment Day according for FamilyRadio.com (http://www.familyradio.com/graphical/literature/judgment/judgment.html)? I've been seeing billboards and posters for this for several months now. What better place to spend the apocalypse than surrounded by Shaolin warrior monks? ;)

[David Jamieson]

Yes, dying together by the wrath of the Christian god, as Buddhists will be an amazing thing! lol

[GeneChing]

Posted on our calendar. (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/news/index.php)

05-22-2011
A Day with Kung Fu Masters - Pacific Asia Museum
Panel Discussion and Kung Fu Demonstration - Sunday, May 22nd at 2pm Pacific Asia Museum /46 N. Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101 If you are a martial arts enthusiast, you should not miss this opportunity to meet Grand Masters Hao Quan Jiang, Jason Tsou, Jay Cheng, Marvin Quon, Yan Xu Shi to talk about Xing Yi Quan, Tai Chi, Wudang Song Xi, Pa Kua and Shaolin Kung Fu, and appreciate their demonstrations. (English Lecture) Call 323.365.3800 or 714.914.6150 to RSVP, Ticket: $15(pre-sale),$20(door) Advance purchase recommended!
For more information, contact: Joy of Kung Fu
Phone: (626)780-6080
Event Address: 46 N. Los Robles Ave.
Pasadena, CA, 91101 USA
Online: JoyofKungfu@gmail.com - JoyofKungfu.info
My understanding is that this was arranged prior to the Abbot's trip and the Abbot will not be attending as he will be headed to NYC and then DC immediately after Saturday.

Here's more info from the press release:

Topic: Xing Yi Quan
Mr. Hao Quan Jiang (95 years old)
Style: Xing Yi, Pa Kua, Shuai Jiao, San Shou, Chinese Kickboxing

Topic: This is Tai Chi World
Mr. Jason Tsou
Sect: Northern Style Chinese Martial Arts
Style: Taiji, Xingyi, Pa Kua, Baji, Pigua, Long Fist, Praying Mantis
and Shuai Jiao
Student of Masters Liu Yun-Chiao, Chang Dong-Sheng, Yang
Bao-Zen, Chang Yi-Cheng ,Su Yu-Chang and Adam Hsu

Topic: Wudang Songxi Taiji 13-form
Mr. Jay Cheng
Sect & Style: Wudang Songxi Taiji
Student of Master Yu Ming-Sheng, China

Topic: Pa Kua
Mr. Marvin Quon
Style: Pa Kua
Student of Master Hao Quan Jiang

Topic: Shaolin Kung Fu
Mr. Yan Xu Shi
Sect & Style: Shaolin

Special Guest Wang Zhi Hai from Cang Zhou Wushu Association, China

[GeneChing]

This is a very special offering for our biweekly sweepstakes. Two lucky winners will receive prize packages for the 1st Shaolin Summit at the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 21, 2011. The VIP prize package includes 2 1st Shaolin Summit tickets, 1 autographed book, 1 commemorative shirt & 2 VIP dinner tickets (note that the VIP dinner is invitation only - not open to the public). Enter to win here. (http://www.kungfumagazine.net/index.html) Contest ends 6:00 p.m. PST on 05/18/2011. Good luck everyone!

[GeneChing]

I haven't confirmed this yet, but I believe the autographed book will be the new English translation of Shaolin Zai Wo Xin Zhong (Shaolin Temple in My Heart) by Abbot Shi Yongxin (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58024).

[GeneChing]

Unfortunately, the file they sent was a huge pdf and didn't convert down very well to meet our 100 mb max for attachments here. I've cut and pasted the info below.

SHAOLIN TEMPLE CULTURAL CENTER
HOSTING GALA EVENT HONORING
THE VENERABLE ABBOT
SHI YONG XIN

• A one-time engagement of spectacular kung fu performances by world-renowned Shaolin warrior monks and disciples.
• An exquisite 8 course vegetarian dinner prepared by Chi Dynasty.
• 4:30 – 6:00 pm Festivities commence at Shaolin Temple Cultural Center in
Temple City 9143 La Rosa Dr. Temple City, CA 91780 (323) 639-3372
• 7:00 – 10:00 pm Welcoming dinner banquet and special performance at:
Shaolin Temple Cultural Center©
WWW.SHAOLINUS.COM WWW.SHAOLIN.ORG.CN© WWW.CHIDYNASTY.COM

Luminaria’s Restaurant
3500 Ramona Blvd.
Monterey Park, CA 91754

Date: Friday , May 20, 2011
VIP TICKETS $ 100 REGULAR ADMISSION $ 50

[LFJ]

BTW, you do realize that this is Judgment Day according for FamilyRadio.com (http://www.familyradio.com/graphical/literature/judgment/judgment.html)? I've been seeing billboards and posters for this for several months now. What better place to spend the apocalypse than surrounded by Shaolin warrior monks? ;)

It is only Judgment Day which will begin the rapture. The end of the world (Forrest Gump voice; "Again" :rolleyes:) won't happen until the 21st of October. So you better plan another gathering!

[GeneChing]

This is the one mentioned previously

Welcoming of the Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin to Los Angeles (http://www.shaolinus.com/Event/tabid/62/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/35/Welcoming-of-the-Venerable-Abbot-Shi-Yongxin-to-Los-Angeles.aspx)
host posted on April 28, 2011 23:47
Shaolin Temple Cultural Center
Cordially invites you to join us in
the Welcoming of the Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin to Los Angeles

恭迎少林寺方丈釋永信大和尚蒞臨洛杉磯

Time: Friday May 20th 2011
時間： 2011年5月20日週五

Please note that the event originally scheduled on May 1st was canceled due to the Abbot's visit.
敬請注意：原定於5月1日舉行的活動因方丈的到訪而取消。

Programs: /活動內容:

4:30pm- 6:00pm The gathering with the venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin, Shaolin disciples and patrons
少林寺方丈釋永信與洛杉磯弟子見面會
Shaolin Temple Cultural Center
9143 La Rosa Dr., Temple City CA 91780

7:00pm-9:00pm Welcoming Dinner Banquet/歡迎晚宴
Dinner + speech + Demo / 餐會+演 講+表演
LUMINARIAS
3500 Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park CA 91754
VIP / $100 / $50 ( 20% off Shaolin Students)

For more information, please contact
Shaolin Temple Cultural Center
626.246.2784
626.535.3971
626.292.1355
www.shaolinus.com

Here is one by Shi Yanfan's group on Sunday (http://www.shaolintemplela.org/www.shaolintemplela.org/News_Updates/Entries/2011/5/1_Entry_1.html). For more on Shi Yanfan, see our thread on him (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48656).

[GeneChing]

This is from the Shaolin United facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shaolin-United/196630457047047):


Jonathan Blank is the moderator for the 1st Shaolin Summit. He is an award-winning writer, filmmaker, and creative technologist. He has spent over 25 years studying high-level martial arts, meditation, Eastern philosophy and esoteric metaphysical practices with many remarkable teachers. Be sure to get your tickets at www.shaolinunited.com and visit Jonathan Blank's website at www.jonathanblank.com

He has written the books Secrets of Dragon Gate (Penguin) which is about Dragon Gate Taoism, and Still as a Mountain, Powerful as Thunder (Shambhala) which is about Buddhist chi gung and meditation. Jonathan has a BA and an MFA from Columbia University.

***

Featured panelist for The 1st Shaolin Summit at the LA Convention Center: Matthew Polly

Matthew Polly is the author of American Shaolin which recounts his experiences of living in China and studying with monks at the Shaolin Temple. He has written for numerous high profile publications. Matthew has a BA from Princeton University, and a Master’s from Oxford University.

You can find more information about Matthew Polly at www.mattpolly.com

***

Featured panelist for 1st Shaolin Summit at LA Convention Center: Dr. David Rapkin

David A. Rapkin, Ph.D., is a clinical and health psychologist based in Los Angeles. He is the founding director of the Mind-Body Medicine Group in the UCLA Department of Surgery, Head and Neck Division. David received his B.A. from Columbia University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from UCLA.

David A. Rapkin approaches psychotherapy and health psychology from a humanistic-existential-phenomenological perspective, his clinical work integrates Buddhist psychology and philosophy with aspects of the psychoanalytic-psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral traditions.

***

Featured panelist for 1st Shaolin Summit at LA Convention Center: Lucia Rijker

Lucia Rijker is a world champion kick boxer and boxer who amassed a record of 54 wins and 0 losses with 39 knockouts before becoming the first female inducted into the international World Boxing Hall of Fame.

She is also an actress whose work can be seen in films such as Million Dollar Baby, Rollerball, and the documentary Lucia Rijker: A Boxer, a Buddhist about her experiences in using her Buddhist practice to deal with the challenges of life and career - and the realization that victory is not just to be attained in the ring. She was born and raised in Amsterdam, Holland and now lives Los Angeles.

***

Featured panelist for 1st Shaolin Summit at LA Convention Center May 21, 2011: Gene Ching, Associate Publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine and www.KungFuMagazine.com

Gene Ching is the Associate Publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine and www.KungFuMagazine.com, the largest English-language magazine and website exclusively devoted to Chinese martial arts. He has authored hundreds of articles and videos on the martial arts and is a lifelong martial artist. He took his Shaolin layman disciple vows under Shi Decheng in 1996 inside the Shaolin Temple and has the Shaolin name Xinglong. Last year, Gene published his first book, Shaolin Trips, which documents over a decade and a half of research on Shaolin.
:cool:

[kristcaldwell]

would have been very cool to attend this...wish i would have been given a little more notice than the email i received today:(

[GeneChing]

The Abbot rolls that way. ;)

Honestly, sometimes I think keeping up with the abbot's U.S. trips is another Shaolin test, a chamber to pass, before getting to #36.


Kung Fu Masters (http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2011/05/11/entertainment/doc4dcb2360e62f2905291462.txt)

Shaolin Summit comes to the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 21
Published: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 5:02 PM PDT

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES –The teachings and history of Shaolin, and its influence on pop culture, will be the focus of the Shaolin Summit at the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 21.

Shaolin Warriors will demonstrate martial arts; the Shaolin Temple’s abbot, Shi Yongxin will participate in a conversation about the history of Shaolin; and panel discussions on meditation, kung fu and influence on pop culture will occur during the day from 1-5:30 p.m.

The 1,500-year-old Buddhist monastery in China has been burnt down and rebuilt throughout its history, but its kung fu teachings have been passed on by its monks, practiced through the ages and filtered into popular culture through films like The Shaolin Temple series with Jet Li and even through music like rap group the Wu-Tang Clan.

Peter Shiao, president of the Shaolin Association of North America, is expecting the event to be at capacity with 1,300 people. And he hopes people will not only watch the summit’s performances, but also understand the philosophy behind the monks’ movements.

“Shaolin is not about shaving your head, or doing a series of acrobatic moves,” said Shiao. “Beneath that veneer lies mindfulness, and a practice of being connected to the moments in life that center us.”

Tickets are $20 through May 14 and $25 after that date. They can be purchased at shaolinunited.com or (310) 358-3136. The Los Angeles Convention Center is at 1201 S. Figueroa St.

[GeneChing]

Here's more details on the Summit from there.


1st Shaolin Summit 2011 - May 21, 2011 (http://www.shaolinunited.com/events/1st-shaolin-summit-2011-may-21-2011)
Posted on 2011-05-11

The Shaolin Association of North America and the Shaolin Temple present the 1st Shaolin Summit 2011.

Come and be a part of Shaolin at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE (http://shaolinsummit2011.eventbrite.com/?ref=ebtn)

Event date:
Sat. May 21st
1:00 to 5:30 pm

Locations:
LA Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa St.
West Hall 515
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Don’t miss this rare chance to:

Meet authentic Shaolin warrior monks
See amazing Kung Fu demonstrations
Learn secret Shaolin techniques and training tips
Hear from the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple
Get the latest news and information on Shaolin martial arts, Zen Buddhism, and the mind/body connection
Learn how Shaolin has influenced pop culture in the West

Speakers and panelists:

Abbot Shi Yong Xin
Shi Yongxin, the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple, is a tireless advocate to a wide array of measures toward the understanding, revival, preservation and sharing of the Shaolin legacy. He is considered a spiritual head to more than 400 million practitioners of Chan Buddhism and an estimated hundreds of millions of practitioners of martial arts. Worldwide.

Abbot Shi Yongxin joined the Shaolin Temple in 1981 as a Young man, and became its administrative head by 1987 after the death of his master, then Abbot Xingzheng. In 1999, the official title of Abbot was conferred upon Shi Yongxin.

As a member of China’s National People’s Congress, Shi Yongxin has advocated to expand the role of faith in Chinese life. He has also been active in inter-faith dialog as chairman for international exchange of China’s Buddhist Association.

He has compiled many volumes on Shaolin classics, such as The Secret Book of Shaolin Kung Fu and Medicine, and frequently writes books and essays on a variety of topics with a Chan perspective.

Gene Ching
Gene Ching is the Associate Publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine and www.KungFuMagazine.com, the largest English-language magazine and website exclusively devoted to Chinese martial arts. He has authored hundreds of articles and videos on the martial arts and is a lifelong martial artist. He took his Shaolin layman disciple vows under Shi Decheng in 1996 inside the Shaolin Temple and has the Shaolin name Xinglong. Last year, Gene published his first book, Shaolin Trips, which documents over a decade and a half of research on Shaolin.

延德法师 - Shi Yande
Shi Yande took refuge with Abbot Shi Yongxin of Songshan Shaolin Temple in 1994 and studied at the Mt. Tiantai Buddhist Institute in Zhyejiang province, the Mt. Qixia Buddhist Institute in Nanjing, and the Chinese Buddhist Academy in Beijing. He is a master of martial art, Chan tea, calligraphy, and traditional musical instruments such as Guqin and Bamboo Flute.

Dr. David Rapkin, panelist
David A. Rapkin, Ph.D., is a clinical and health psychologist based in Los Angeles. He is the founding director of the Mind-Body Medicine Group in the UCLA Department of Surgery, Head and Neck Division. He has also taught in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry. Approaching psychotherapy and health psychology from a humanistic-existential-phenomenological perspective, his clinical work integrates Buddhist psychology and philosophy with aspects of the psychoanalytic-psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral traditions. David received his B.A. from Columbia University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from UCLA.

永了法师 - Shi Yongliao
Shi Yongliao entered monastic life in 1999 under Abbot Shi Xingzhou. He spent years in a thatched cottage to practice Buddhist in Mount Zhongnan. He is currently an usher in Shaolin Chan Meditation Hall.

Matthew Polly
Matthew Polly is the author of the book American Shaolin (Gotham) which recounts his experiences of living in China for 2 years and studying with the monks at the Shaolin Temple. He has also written for numerous high profile publications including Esquire, The Nation, Playboy, Publisher’s Weekly, and Slate and won a Lowell Thomas Award for travel writing. His new book, Tapped Out (Gotham) about mixed martial arts, will be published in October, 2011. Matthew has a BA from Princeton University, and a Master’s degree from Oxford University in the UK, which he attended on a Rhodes Scholarship. http://www.mattpolly.com

延勇法师 - Shi Yanyong
Shi Yanyong took refuge with Abbot Shi Yongxin of Songshan Shaolin Temple in 1999. He had secluded in dozens of renowned mountains including Mount Zhongnan, Mount Emei, Mount Song, Mount Hua, Mount Wudang, and Mount Yunju. Ven. Yanyong has won first place in the 2009 Shaolin Chan debate.

延亿法师 - Shi Yanyi
Shi Yanyi entered the monastery as a Buddhist monk in Songshan Shalin Temple in 2004 under Abbot Shi Yongxin. He is an expert in Shaolin’s traditional Chinese Medical Culture, especially in using acupuncture and massage to cure neck, shoulder, leg, and waist ache and illness. Yan Li has also published books on orthopedics and regimen.

Moderator
Jonathan Blank
Jonathan Blank is an award-winning writer, filmmaker, and creative technologist. He has spent over 25 years studying high-level martial arts, meditation, Eastern philosophy and esoteric metaphysical practices with many remarkable teachers in the US, Asia and Europe, and this has led him to write extensively on these subjects. He has written the books Secrets of Dragon Gate (Penguin) which is about Dragon Gate Taoism, and Still as a Mountain, Powerful as Thunder (Shambhala) which is about Buddhist chi gung and meditation. Jonathan has a BA and an MFA from Columbia University. http://www.jonathanblank.com

[GeneChing]

Now on the speaker roster (http://www.shaolinunited.com/events/1st-shaolin-summit-2011-may-21-2011) - the Iron Chef!:


Mark Dacascos

Mark Dacascos is an actor and martial artist. You might say he was born into martial arts since his parents are martial arts instructors. His early training led to numerous Karate and Kung Fu championships. Mark’s success in martial arts then eventually evolved into a very successful acting career. He has starred in numerous TV shows including The Crow, Iron Chef and Hawaii Five O, video games including Stranglehold and Wing Commander, and movies including Brotherhood of the Wolf, Only the Strong, Crying Freeman and Cradle 2 the Grave, in which he squared off against Jet Li. http://www.dacascos.com/

[TaichiMantis]

Now on the speaker roster (http://www.shaolinunited.com/events/1st-shaolin-summit-2011-may-21-2011) - the Iron Chef!:

Actually...he is The Chairman (http://www.foodnetwork.com/mark-dacascos/index.html) And you MUST click on the video...too funny!

[wenshu]

So it looks like there will be two separate panels.
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=221950


Two celebrated panels of professionals comprising China's legendary Shaolin monks to experts from the fields of martial arts, entertainment, academia and clinical psychology will be among the key participants at the Shaolin Summit in Los Angeles on May 21st. The Summit is a first-of-its-kind event blending presentations and martial demonstrations with a central focus on China's renowned ancient Shaolin Temple and its 1,500-year-old influence on traditional and popular culture. It will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center (West Hall) from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m.

In addition to two panel discussions, the event will also feature a rare appearance by Shi Yongxin, the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple of China. The originating source of a substantial portion of Asian martial arts practiced today and birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, Shaolin estimates that there are 200 million followers worldwide practicing martial arts derived from Shaolin.

One panel, featuring authentic Chinese Shaolin monks in simultaneous translation for both Eastern and Western audiences, is entitled "The Three Treasures of Shaolin," focusing on Chan (Zen) philosophy, martial arts, medicine and holistic healing. This panel's participants include these Shaolin monks, all of whom have achieved substantial mastery:

Shi Yanfan, 34th generation Shaolin Warrior Monk. He is the head of the Shaolin Temple Los Angeles in Sherman Oaks, CA and a co-founder of the Shaolin Association of North America. Master Shi Yanfan was the first Westerner to become an ordained monk and receive the ancient Jieba at Shaolin Temple in 2007;
Shi Yande is a master of martial arts, Chan tea, calligraphy, and traditional musical instruments such as Guqin and Bamboo Flute;
Shi Yongliao spent years in quiet cultivation in Mount Zhongnan, the home to many Chinese Masters. He is currently with the Shaolin Chan Meditation Hall;
Shi Yanyong has cultivated in renowned mountains including Mount Zhongnan, Mount Emei, Mount Song, Mount Hua, Mount Wudang, and Mount Yunju. He placed first in the 2009 Shaolin Chan debate;
Shi Yanyi is an expert in Shaolin's traditional Chinese medical sciences, especially in the use of acupuncture and massage. He has also published books on orthopedics and healing;
Moderator Shi Yanli is vice president of the Shaolin Association and is dedicated to introducing real Buddhism to Americans. He also serves in a leadership capacity with the Los Angeles Shaolin Cultural Center.

The second panel, "Zen, Power of the Mind and Martial Arts," features martial arts and entertainment professionals, noted authors and a respected psychologist.

Mark Dacascos, actor and martial artist. Multiple Karate and Kung Fu champion. Known for his roles in The Crow, Iron Chef, Hawaii Five-O, Cradle 2 the Grave, and Wing Commander;
Lucia Rijiker, world champion kick boxer and the first female inducted into the international World Boxing Hall of Fame;
Writer Matthew Polly, author of American Shaolin;
Gene Ching, associate publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine and www.KungFuMagazine.com;
Dr. David Rapkin, a clinical and health psychologist and founding director of the Mind-Body Medicine Group in the UCLA Department of Surgery, Head and Neck Division;
Moderator Jonathan Blank is an award-winning writer, filmmaker and creative technologist. He has spent 25 years studying high-level martial arts, meditation, Eastern philosophy and esoteric metaphysical practices around the world.
Other events during the day will include powerful Shaolin Martial Arts/kung fu demonstrations with secret techniques and training tips revealed by authentic Shaolin Warrior Monks and a dialog with Shaolin's Abbot Shi Yongxin, along with a preview of his autobiography.


The only glaring omission.
http://www.realhiphopsince79.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/gza_rza_gr11.jpg

You can't really expect to have a discussion about the influence of Shaolin on pop culture without Bobby Digital and The Genius (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxYqRKQF4H4).

[GeneChing]

Unfortunately, he had a schedule conflict and had to decline. He's a busy man. He was very gracious about it and seemed genuinely delighted to have been asked.

I'm told that the Friday banquet is almost sold out at 350 people. There are only 3 tables (30 seats) left.

I'm also told that tickets for Saturday's Summit at the Convention Center are moving briskly. Be sure to pick yours up ASAP.

[Paquet]

I just say a positing that says a kempo company that cannont be named on this site will be hosting this event. Their logo even appears on the shaolinunited link. How is this even possible?

[GeneChing]

USSD is a sponsor, but not the hosts. The hosts are SANA, which is directly under the auspices of the Abbot. Orb Media is the U.S. promotions group.


Stacey Nemour
Abbot Shi Yongxin of China's Shaolin Temple Coming to L.A. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacey-nemour/abbot-shi-yongxin-shaolin-temple_b_862041.html)
Posted: 05/17/11 05:10 PM ET

Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, is a tireless advocate for a wide array of measures toward the understanding, revival, preservation and sharing of the Shaolin legacy. He is considered a spiritual head to more than 400 million practitioners of Chan Buddhism and an estimated hundreds of millions of practitioners of martial arts worldwide. As a member of China's National People's Congress, Shi Yongxin has advocated for the expansion of the role of faith in Chinese life. He has also been active in interfaith dialog as chairman for international exchange of China's Buddhist Association.

He has compiled many volumes on Shaolin classics, such as "The Secret Book of Shaolin Kung Fu and Medicine," and frequently writes books and essays on a variety of topics with a Chan perspective.

Abbot Shi Yongxin joined the Shaolin Temple in 1981 as a young man, and he became its administrative head by 1987, after the death of his master, then-Abbot Xingzheng. In 1999 the official title of Abbot was conferred upon Shi Yongxin.

Shaolin Temple is famously known through its kung fu and Chan/Zen Buddhism and is situated in Dengfeng City in the Songshan Mountains of Henan Provence, China, said to be the "heartland" of China where much of Chinese civilization originated.

Shaolin Temple was established in 495 A.D. during the Northern Wei dynasty, by its then-emperor to accommodate the Indian master Buddhabhadra. Later, another Indian monk Bodhidharma arrived at Shaolin Temple, who was said to have crossed the Yangtze River on a reed.

Bodhidharma spent nine years meditating in a cave of the Wuru Peak just behind the temple, and initiated the Chinese Chan tradition at Shaolin Temple. Thereafter, Bodhidharma was honored as the first patriarch of Chan Buddhism, now known to parts of the world as Zen.

Legend also had it that Bodhidharma found monks weak and unhealthy after long meditation practices, so he developed movement to strengthen them, which formed the basis of Shaolin kung fu. Shaolin kung fu later evolved into over 700 forms of martial arts and became the cradle of much of the martial arts practiced in the world today.

In the 1,500 years since its founding, Shaolin has endured wars, famines, invasions and revolutions and also presided over times of great peace and prosperity. Its large cannon of stories, practices, culture, personalities and historical data is the stuff of legend, and it has inspired countless adaptations in traditional and popular culture around the world.

His Holiness the Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin will be sharing the mysteries of kung fu and healing with the public for the first time ever. This will be called the 1st Shaolin Summit, which will be held in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 21. Some of events during the day will include powerful Shaolin martial arts/kung fu demonstrations using secret techniques and training tips that will be revealed by authentic Shaolin warrior-monks, and Abbot Shi Yongxin will reveal a preview of his autobiography. There will be a welcoming ceremony for Abbot Shi Yongxin at the Shaolin Temple in Los Angeles on May 22.

Peter Shiao, who is the founder and CEO of Orb Media Group, is presenting the 1st Shaolin Summit. I had the opportunity to speak with him, and he told me:

Shaolin kung fu has become watered down over the years because much that is being taught is limited to the external side of the martial arts. Using a differed approach, the head master of the Shaolin temple will be here speaking directly to the people to help bring back into balance the spiritual side of Shaolin kung fu. The Shaolin monks have other-worldly abilities and can do extraordinary feats however, everyone can take something from this event and benefit.

The event is being produced by the non-profit Shaolin Association of North America in association with the Shaolin Temple of China to enlighten people and generate further support of the Temple's basic philosophy of bringing compassion and health into the world that empower people through non-sectarian practices.

[GeneChing]

Check out Shaolin United on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kung-Fu-Tai-Chi-Magazine/135964689362).

The original hall we rented at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the 1st Shaolin Summit SOLD OUT, so they have expanded to a larger room. Get your tickets before this room sells out as well. Go to www.shaolinunited.com for tickets and details. Hope to see you there! The summit is this Saturday May 21st from 1-5 PM at the Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall.

NOTE: Today is the last day to enter our Shaolin Summit VIP Prize package sweepstakes (http://www.kungfumagazine.net/index.html)!

[GeneChing]

The Monday NYC event is at the Asia Society and Museum in NYC.

Shaolin: Inside Out (http://asiasociety.org/events-calendar/shaolin-inside-out-1)

The Shaolin Temple of China is world-renowned as the birth place of Chan (Zen) Buddhism as well as Eastern martial arts.

The Shaolin way of life--seeking balance between movement and stillness--has persevered through invasions, wars, revolutions and dynasties, resulting in a large cannon of legends, myths, practices and disciplines that make it one of the most iconic global Chinese institutions ever.

Shaolin's influence on global popular culture can be felt through the hundreds of entertainment properties that it has impacted, from the recent movie Last Airbender, to Shaolin Soccer, and the original Kung Fu television show initially conceived by Bruce Lee.

The Asia Society is honored to feature an unprecedented conversation with the Venerable Shi Yong Xin, Abbot of the Shaolin Temple, who will speak about the emergence of the Shaolin Temple on the global stage. The event will be led by a narrated demonstration and explanation of Shaolin Martial Arts by authentic Masters.

Join us for a special evening inside the legend and beyond the myths — SHAOLIN INSIDE OUT.

For more information on Shaolin, please visit http://www.shaolinunited.com/shaolin/aboutshaolin

May 23, 2011 | 7:00pm to 9:00pm
New York
725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021
$30 per person; $25 student with ID/seniors/members Group rate available for groups of 10 or more. Seating limited.

[GeneChing]

Follow the links for pix

Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Abbot Shi Yongxin arrives in Los Angeles (http://www.shaolintemplela.org/www.shaolintemplela.org/News_Updates/Entries/2011/5/18_Abbot_Shi_Yongxin_arrives_in_Los_Angeles.html)

This afternoon Abbot Shi Yongxin from the Shaolin Temple of China was greeted by his disciples from Los Angeles and San Francisco as he arrived at the LAX airport. Abbot Shi Yongxin along with a small entourage from Shaolin Temple China is visiting Los Angeles for the inauguration of the Shaolin Association of North America (SANA).

There will be a summit held at the LA Convention Center on Saturday May 21, 2011 featuring the Abbot Shi Yongxin and official Shaolin Warrior Monks from the United States and China.

for more information about the 1st Annual Shaolin Summit, go to www.shaolinunited.com

[GeneChing]

See our Shaolin Summit VIP Prize Package Winners thread. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1097814)

[Paquet]

The kempo school that cannot be named is taking credit for the event on their website. Is it their event or not?

[GeneChing]

We'll fill you in with a formal report soon, both in print and on our ezine. For now, some teasers.

About 1500+ attended the Summit.

I enjoyed being on the discussion panel "Zen, the Power of the Mind and Martial Arts" - Lucia "Blue Bear" whispered some side comments in my ear.

It was great to meet both wenshu and Mig from the forum here in person.

I ended up sitting between Charles Mattera and Steve DeMasco, across from Richard Black, as they enjoyed a private dinner at the top of the Bonaventure hotel. Mattera generously bought me some drinks and we all enjoyed a delightful conversation.

The SANA project is intriguing. Peter Shiao's organization created an unprecedented platform for the abbot and Shaolin.

The abbot's book is not translated to English yet. More on that on that thread (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58024).

facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kung-Fu-Tai-Chi-Magazine/135964689362) photos coming soon!

Tonight is the event in NYC.

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple USA Welcomes (http://www.shaolinusa.us/)
• Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin •
to Shaolin Temple Culture Center in Herndon, VA
Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 5:00 pm

The Venerable Abbot will bless the Center and preach to students and participants. Four Chan Masters who accompany the Abbot will give talks on Chan Buddhism, Shaolin Kung Fu and Shaolin Medicine. The Center’s students and Sifus will present a program of Shaolin Kung Fu.
Open to the Public. Please join us!.
Address: 314 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA 20170.
For more information, please call 571-436-0467

Our photos are coming soon!

[GeneChing]

Here are just a few. There are more on facebook. More coverage to come!

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226550_10150262807274363_135964689362_8935132_2945 147_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247600_10150262795454363_135964689362_8934914_3618 713_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228365_10150262805869363_135964689362_8935111_2458 398_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/246970_10150262805144363_135964689362_8935100_7756 829_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/225970_10150262797049363_135964689362_8934948_3549 327_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/227475_10150262797164363_135964689362_8934951_2676 29_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226680_10150262801204363_135964689362_8935044_6063 472_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248780_10150262797559363_135964689362_8934961_2050 149_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250000_10150262797469363_135964689362_8934959_2829 105_n.jpg

[LFJ]

nice tie and blue manbag. :cool:

[wenshu]

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/227475_10150262797164363_135964689362_8934951_2676 29_n.jpg

Shaolin Secular Disciples of the Rapidly Diminishing Hairline Sect.

[wenshu]

It was quite the spectacle. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I have since come to the realization that I am one of my school's token laowai! Even so, it was an honor to make a few nervous remarks at the Abbot's banquet.

Gene, it was great meeting Gigi and you! I hope my manners were not to anxiously perfunctory.

I'll put up some photos after some post processing; the white balance settings on my camera were all messed up so I have to adjust each one.

[wenshu]

A short video of Saturdays event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJYDRFSpXiY

[GeneChing]

We'll be bald monks soon, wenshu. Maybe even our next lifetime!

Nice find on the vid. Did he say 'idealistical'?

It was a real pleasure meeting you and your girlfriend. I must say that it is very refreshing to meet a forum member who is very active and enthusiastic in the arts and approaches it intelligently, as opposed to the flame-flinging we get around here so often. No worries about being the token laowai. You can actually get ****her on that than I could. No Chinese school needs a token ABC. ;)

[GeneChing]

For our e-zine summit report, we're going to showcase the videos of Greg Lynch Jr., our L.A. reporter and the mastermind behind Bad Ass Bunny Productions (http://ironcrotchdoc.com). Here's a taste.

KungFuMagazine.com Presents the 1st Shaolin Summit 2011 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxK4YXR7vyU)

[taai gihk yahn]

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248780_10150262797559363_135964689362_8934961_2050 149_n.jpg


wow Gene; one can only IMAGINE the content of this conversation, lol!!!

btw, a little late in the game, I was at my parents house Monday, helping my dad sort through / send some e-mail (don't get me started - it's a never-ending saga of sorrow), and lo and behold, I see an e-mail in his in-box from his long-time buddy Dr. Tom Rosandich, PhD, who is writing to him that he will be in NYC w the Abbott of the Shaolin Temple that past weekend, and alluding to some "stuff" about the whole visit that he states was just too complicated to get into (the actual point of the email was in regards to some Hungarian artist who does sports sculpture that he wanted my dad to give him some input on, seeing as my dad's Hungarian and all...); I wonder what was up w that! So anyway, don't know if you ever would care to do a piece related to the USSA's connection to ST, but if you did, you'd have express lane access to Rosandich, if you wanted it...

[wenshu]

Actually, USSA featured prominently at the conclusion of the summit.

Something about accredited "Shaolin" course work.

[enoajnin]

The USSA has an online course. They presented a complete printout of the lessons in book form to the Abbot

[wenshu]

That was the giant leather bound "Shaolin Secrets. . ."

Admittedly, I wasn't paying much attention at that point.

http://www.ussa.edu/publications/news/2011/05/20/academy-presents-shaolin-book-and-course-at-the-first-annual-shaolin-summit-in-los-angeles/

[wenshu]

http://ussa.edu/publications/news/2011/05/25/shaolin-temple-abbot-shi-yongxin-accepts-academys-new-shaolin-kung-fu-book/

Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin Accepts Academy’s New Shaolin Kung Fu Book
25 May 2011
Abbot Shi Yongxin (right) of the Shaolin Temple in China received a new book, “Shaolin Kung Fu Secrets,” which the United States Sports Academy translated from an ancient Chinese manuscript. Grandmaster Steve Demasco (left), an Academy national faculty member, presented the book at the Shaolin Summit on May 21 in Los Angeles.
His Holiness Abbot Shi Yongxin, the spiritual leader of 200 million Chan Buddhists, accepted a new book on Shaolin philosophy that the United States Sports Academy has developed into an online course that will make the ancient Chinese text available worldwide.

Grandmaster Steve Demasco, a member of the Academy’s national faculty, provided the Abbot with an English translation of the book, “Shaolin Kung Fu Secrets,” during an official presentation at the first annual Shaolin Summit on Saturday, May 21 in Los Angeles. Demasco has played a major role in helping the Academy with the translation of the manuscript and development of the course called “The Philosophy of Shaolin Kung Fu.”

During his visit to the Academy’s Daphne, Ala., campus in November 2006 to receive his honorary doctorate, His Holiness gave to Academy President and CEO Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich a 1,500-year-old manuscript that described Shaolin philosophy as it relates to Kung Fu. The past three years, the Academy worked to translate its more than 800 pages from Ancient Chinese to Chinese and finally to English. The book given to the Abbot is bound in a black leather cover with gold lettering.

By using the ancient Shaolin teachings found in the book, the Academy also has created an online course that includes an introduction to the key tenets of the Shaolin philosophy, the rich political and religious history of the Shaolin Temple, and the importance of balance between the mental, physical, and spiritual in a healthy mind and body. The new online course is being done in collaboration with the Shaolin Temple and with the Abbot’s blessing. It will be offered soon to people across the globe.

The Shaolin Summit drew more than 2,000 participants to the daylong event that features, Shaolin Kung Fu demonstrations and lessons from key masters, an interview with the Abbot, a panel discussion on the influence of Shaolin on traditional and popular culture, and an announcement of the formation of the Shaolin Association of Americas, a non-profit organization created to provide better outreach to the West.

[taai gihk yahn]

lol, well, that's all about par for the course w Dr. Rosandich, he has always been on the "cutting edge" of sports-related business development - which would explain why he was paying for my dad to travel to Bahrain, Kuwait and Dubai to teach European Team Handball 35 yrs. ago, as there was a LOT of $ looking to be spent back then by those countries on sports development, and Dr. Rosandich has always been very good at sniffing out where the $ is...;

in fact, he actually single-handedly figured out how to bail out the US Team Handball Federation some years back when it was about 3/4 of a mil in debt due to 30 yrs of mismanagement (translation: gratuitous embezzlement) by the former president;

the bit w DaMasco being involved is, well,...interesting (then again, as I said, Dr. Rosandich is, first and foremost, a businessman, sooo...)

[bawang]

gene ching looks like a klingon

[GeneChing]

See our U.s. Sports Academy To Honor Buddhist Abbot With Honorary Doctorate thread. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41141)


gene ching looks like a klingonFunny story, bawang - several years ago, when I sported a Fu-Manchu mustache as well, I was on tour working for Phish and wound up at the Star Trek experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. A Klingon came up to me and exclaimed "You have the looks of a warrrior!" which of course sent the other road crew members I was with to the floor with laughter. I still have yet to live that down. Anyways, we've discussed Klingons already (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53101) too.

[GeneChing]

Epoch Times is generally anti-PRC. I saw the reporters there and was tempted to engage them, but didn't. I regret that now.


‘CEO Monk’ Makes Money From Ancient Culture
Supported by China’s Communist Party, abbot extends reach (http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/united-states/ceo-monk-makes-money-from-ancient-culture-56807.html)
By Stephen Gregory & Derek Padula
Epoch Times Staff Created: May 25, 2011 Last Updated: May 25, 2011

LOS ANGELES—The head abbot of the Shaolin Temple came to Los Angeles last weekend to strengthen his order’s brand and improve its profitability by opening up new markets.

Shi Yongxin, known as the “CEO monk,” heads the Shaolin Temple in China and was the guest of honor at the recent Shaolin Summit held in the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 21.

The Shaolin Temple was known for 1,500 years as a sacred and mysterious center of Chan (Zen) Buddhism that trained extraordinary fighting monks in a mountain enclave in Henan Province, China. Shaolin Gong Fu—popularly known as Kung Fu in the United States—is the traditional martial art of China from which the majority of other East Asian martial arts are said to derive.

Today, the Shaolin Temple is notorious for its turn to commercialism. While the summit offered a varied program, it also had at its core an important business matter.

Peter Shiao, the CEO of Orb Media Group and executive producer and host of the event, announced the founding of the North American Shaolin Association. The association’s mission is to consolidate all of the different Shaolin Gong Fu martial arts schools under one banner, in collaboration with the main Shaolin Temple in Songshan, China.

Inside China, the Shaolin Temple is a big money maker. According to the website China Uncensored, the temple has 1.6 million visitors a year who pay 100 yuan (US$15) to pass through its turnstiles and watch a 30-minute show. Photographs taken with performers are sold. Shaolin paraphernalia is available in gift shops, and Shaolin pharmacies and an online store have sprung up. Incense, traditionally used by Buddhists in acts of devotion and usually provided for a minimal donation at Buddhist temples, is sold in huge, expensive sticks. One visitor reported being asked to pay US$770 for an incense stick, while the most expensive stick sold has been for 100,000 yuan (US$15,390). Troupes of monks tour the world performing for profit, and after the shows often sell Shaolin trinkets to audience members outside.

The Shanghai Daily reported last year that Shi Yongxin was looking overseas to increase the temple’s profitability. The paper reported that he “will continue to concentrate on the overseas market even after the world famous temple has opened more than 40 centers around the world to teach foreigners Kung Fu and Zen Buddhism.”

The new association appears to be part of this strategy. In announcing the association, Shiao mentioned that Shi Yongxin can now more easily oversee the development of Shaolin-related projects, and disparate groups that are not currently underneath the association’s umbrella will be less able to profit from the Shaolin name. According to Shiao, this has the potential for greater protection, control, and financial return for the temple.

The association will also funnel visitors to the temple back in China. Among those attending the summit were hundreds of students from the United Studios of Self Defense, a sponsor of the event and the largest American chain of martial arts studios (with over 180 schools). They are directly affiliated with the Shaolin Temple, and have a plaque and monument inside temple walls. The students make a semi-annual trip to the Shaolin Temple and the head instructors have been personally promoted by Shi Yongxin as grandmasters. The founders were in attendance.

Over 1,300 guests attended the summit, which featured performances by Shaolin monks and two panel discussions. The participants’ interest appeared to be absorbed in martial arts matters, and many were unconcerned or unaware of the commercial ventures and political connections of the star monk.

But martial artists and Buddhists around the world have claimed that Shi Yongxin is selling out and “prostituting” the Shaolin culture. Shi’s work stands in contrast to traditional monastic disciplines, which are deliberately free of material trappings or monetary pursuits (such as the Dabei monks still active in China).

Chinese have also responded unfavorably. In an online survey taken in China in 2008, 95 percent of 70,000 respondents objected to the Shaolin Temple’s commercialism.

Shi Yongxin claims to be completely unattached to worldly matters and is proud of the commercialization of the temple. In a Kungfu Magazine article from 2000, he said, “This is what Buddhism pursues.” He defends the money making as necessary for the promulgation of Zen Buddhist teachings and the Shaolin culture. In 2008 he told People’s Daily, the state mouthpiece, that commercialization “is a path leading up to the truth of Zen.”

Shi Yongxin first came to the temple in 1981 and in 1987 became its head, though not officially its abbot. The doctrinally atheist Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has enjoyed close relations with the Shaolin Temple during his headship, and in 1989 took the unusual measure of restoring the temple (it had been vandalized during the Cultural Revolution and fallen into disrepair).

It was one of the few instances in which the CCP has taken care of a Buddhist temple, and a beginning sign of the now two decades long warm relationship between Shi Yongxin and the Party establishment.

Shi Yongxin was inducted into the National People's Congress, the CCP’s rubber stamp legislature, in 1998. The following year he was ordained abbot of the temple, and Wu Jieping, vice chairman of the People's Congress, was in attendance. Members of the National People's Congress are chosen by the CCP and monks traditionally have not been allowed to play any political role.

In the following years he worked together with Communist Party officials to clear out and shut down the multitude of other Kung Fu schools in the vicinity of Shaolin, allowing only the one official version to remain. Party officials constructed a new temple alongside the old one, calling it the “Chinese Government Shaolin Temple Training School,” which Shi Yongxin now oversees.

Shi Yongxin is regularly visited by a variety of Party officials. Mostly recently Du Qinglin, head of the United Front Work Department, dropped in. The United Front is an old-style communist body that seeks to advance the interests of the Party through organizations that are not formally part of the Party.

Shi Yongxin is also publicly supportive of important Communist Party policies. In a 2007 interview, Shi Yongxin said that Party leader Hu Jintao’s doctrine of the “harmonious society” is “also what we are striving to pursue in the religious field.” The “harmonious society” concept has come to be associated with China’s vast apparatus of censorship, coercion, and surveillance, where people with views opposing the regime are effectively silenced.

The Epoch Times attempted to raise these issues in a five-minute audience it was granted with the abbot at the summit.

With Peter Shiao as translator, The Epoch Times asked the abbot his view on why other religious practices in China, such as Tibetan Buddhism, Christianity, and Falun Gong, had been suppressed by the CCP, while the Shaolin Temple had been supported.

Shiao became flustered, refused to translate the question, and promptly ended the interview. Later, he said that the question was disrespectful, and with a colleague, attempted to revoke The Epoch Times’s press pass; the reporter then left the press area and participated as a regular attendee for the day. After the conference, Shiao said he did not mean to be disrespectful, and was simply caught off guard.

Asked his purpose in organizing the summit, Shiao said he wanted “to bring people together.” Answering questions about religious persecution and political favoritism in China was not on either Shiao or Shi Yongxin's agenda.

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple donates books to the Library of U. S. Congress (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2011-05/26/c_13894008.htm)
English.news.cn 2011-05-26 06:31:08

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2011-05/26/13894008_11n.jpg
Arch Abbot Shi Yongxin (C) from China's Shaolin Temple, donates books about the temple's kongfu and medicine to Mi Chu (L), head of scholarly services of Asian Division, the Library of Congress, in Washington D.C., the United States, May 25, 2011. Shaolin Temple, the ancient Chinese monastery famed for its Buddhist traditions and kongfu, on Wednesday donated books about the temple's kongfu and medicine to the Library of Congress in Washington. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun)

WASHINGTON, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Shaolin Temple, the ancient Chinese monastery famed for its Buddhist traditions and kongfu, on Wednesday donated books about the temple's kongfu and medicine to the Library of Congress in Washington.

Arch Abbot Shi Yongxin from the Shaolin Temple participated in the ceremony held at the library. the books were derived from ancient scripts of the Ming and Qing dynasties hundreds of years ago.

In the ceremony, Master Yongxin said many of Shaolin's ancient scripts were destroyed in a fire in 1928, but the temple has began an endeavor to rebuild its library in recent 30 years, and has managed to find 3,600 ancient books in the temple.

In giving the books to the Library of Congress, Master Yongxin also said he is keen to learn about the modern management of libraries, and put it to use in the temple's own library.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2011-05/26/13894008_21n.jpg
Arch Abbot Shi Yongxin (3rd R) from China's Shaolin Temple, and Mi Chu (2nd L), head of scholarly services of Asian Division of the Library of Congress, attend a ceremony donating books about the temple's kongfu and medicine to the Library of Congress, in Washington D.C., the United States, May 25, 2011. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun)
Arch Abbot! I love that. I want to be the Arch Publisher!

[bawang]

I sported a Fu-Manchu mustache as well
you are my hero

by the way gene, do u know why shi yongxin always look so angry? lol

in the second photo he is looking at the old ladies booboobs

[Lucas]

hahahahaha

Gene you are so the Arch Publisher.

[B.Tunks]

Epoch Times is Falun Gong. If they wanted to fluster him/his handlers they should have asked him about how he stole the abbocy from Shi Deyang.

[ShaolinDiva]

For our e-zine summit report, we're going to showcase the videos of Greg Lynch Jr., our L.A. reporter and the mastermind behind Bad Ass Bunny Productions (http://ironcrotchdoc.com). Here's a taste.

KungFuMagazine.com Presents the 1st Shaolin Summit 2011 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxK4YXR7vyU)


Thank you Gene and Greg for this video from the banquet. KungFuMagazine has my deepest respects as honorable media ! It was great pleasure in meeting you , Gigi and Greg that day.


Bad Ass Bunny Productions?! I LOVE that name as much as your blue bag! :rolleyes: :D

[wenshu]

For our e-zine summit report, we're going to showcase the videos of Greg Lynch Jr., our L.A. reporter and the mastermind behind Bad Ass Bunny Productions (http://ironcrotchdoc.com). Here's a taste.

KungFuMagazine.com Presents the 1st Shaolin Summit 2011 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxK4YXR7vyU)

The comment section has erupted into a flame war between the Temple City, Sherman Oaks and USSD schools. It is just like here, only without the pedantic erudition and absurdist humor.

Someone actually said they were going to report another's behavior to the Abbot. That's very funny.

Bodhidharma created qi gong and kung fu. TRUE FACT.

[GeneChing]

@ShaolinDiva: It was great meeting you too. The name Bad Ass Bunny comes from the Grandmaster Tu documentary project. Tu is a ****phone for bunny in Chinese (but I know you already know that). As for my blue bag, I have dozens of monk bags from Shaolin. That's the only one that has a zipper that has survived. You know how Chinese zippers can be. The blue one actually has really cool side zippers.

@wenshu: Glad you pointed out that flame war to me. It's our first YouTube vid to go there. It actually seems kind of tame compared to some of the ones here. Noobs. :p

We'll have a full video report next week, courtesy of Bad Ass Bunny. We were just to swamped this week with our our tournament (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/info/tournament/index.php) preparations.

[GeneChing]

Stacey Nemour
Stacey Nemour is a black belt in Kung Fu, and a highly respected martial artist
Shaolin Kung Fu: An Interview with Abbot Shi Yongxin (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacey-nemour/interview-with-abbot-shi-_b_867850.html)
Posted: 06/ 2/11 09:36 AM ET

I had the great honor to sit down with his Holiness Venerable Master Abbott Shi Yongxin on this historical day called the "1st Shaolin Summit" in Los Angeles.

The Abbot and the Shaolin Warrior Monks shared the supernatural powers of Shaolin Kung Fu, which is the combination of Chan Buddhism, martial arts and medicine. The design and arrangement of Shaolin Kung Fu movements are based on the medical knowledge of ancient China, through which it is believed that one may soar to their highest potential physically and spiritually. This system puts special emphasis on the combination of movement and stillness, which demonstrates the ancient Chinese belief in "the unity between heaven and man."

Peter Shiao, CEO of Orb Media Group, executive producer and the presenter of the event, announced the founding of the "Northern American Shaolin Association." He did a beautiful job presenting this extraordinary event. It sold out and there was a wonderful sense of harmony and excitement in the air. The intention of the Abbot's trip to the West is to create more friendship and understanding among different cultures, so we may all work together in unity for world peace, human happiness and social progress.

How do you see the role of women participating in Shaolin Kung Fu?

There are four classes of Shaolin students: There are male monks and there are the nuns, male house-holders, who live ordinary everyday life, and female house holders who practice. So no one is excluded.

Have the Shaolin nuns been around as long as the male monks?

I want to clarify the understanding of Shaolin Temple. Shaolin Temple is actually a consortia of temples. We are inter-related and when you visit you see there are a number of temples being led by the Shaolin Temple. Starting from the days of Bodhidharma 1,500 years ago a lineage of female practitioners has been unbroken. They have always been part of this family. The nunnery is not a large part of the Shaolin Temple, but I want to empathize that it has always been there.

There seems to be a new awareness and people are drawn to learn and absorb the teachings of Shaolin Kung Fu. How can the average person incorporate these teachings to enhance their daily life?

It is actually pretty simple. There is a specific type of practice that is really for all kinds of people, whether you are a kid, older, a business man, any age or gender. It is actually designed for a very diverse range of people. It is accessible you just have to choose where you want to begin.

There is a lot of talk of kung fu as an external activity like some kind of fancy exhibition. The truth about kung fu is the power to be still, to hold oneself in deep unbroken meditation. It is one of the cornerstones of this practice. In addition to the pursuit of this external kung fu, I just want to empathize how incredibly important it is to meditate. To sit down and quiet oneself is a very complimentary piece of the eternal martial arts. When these two come together it is not just physical benefits, but profound things happen: one's character, the content of one's character, also improves, as well as the quality of your entire being, with this type of practice. Our idea of peace is not just external peace, but peace in being with oneself -- utter freedom, the freedom of beingness. To be a liberated being.

I am curious about the Shaolin monks. With all their energy work, meditation and being so in balance, it seems there would be very little illness or disease among them?

Well, we look at disease in several different ways. There is physical illness. Generally, everyone is pretty healthy, but anyone who breathes air is not immune to disease. Disease is a part of life, so we at Shaolin are kind of subject to the same forces. But we do classify diseases. That is why we created The Shaolin Holistic Clinic that seeks to have remedies for all of life's different circumstances. Of course, There is another variety of disease, which is of the mind, which is another conversation altogether.

What would the world look like politically and morally if nearly everyone adopted the Shaolin Kung Fu lifestyle?

The world would be more beautiful. The world would be more peaceful, more perfect.

Can one attain enlightenment through practicing Shaolin Kung Fu?

Shaolin Kung Fu, together with meditation, has both the physical as well as the conscious spiritual components that will contribute to one's enlightenment. Raising consciousness, yes, through this pursuit of life -- that realm is possible. Shaoiln is unique in that the followers of this order practice this way of life.

What do you hope people take away from this 1st Shaolin Summit?

It is very idealistically that we can all be liberated that comes from the philosophical understanding of life itself. Part of that is having a healthy body engaged in activities of your choosing in a very positive and rigorous way. We hope to share that kind of understanding, we also hope people walk away with a better understanding of what this way of life is about and what Shaolin stands for. I just want to empathize the joy of living an awakened life. Having an awakened perspective brings such joy and beauty for everyone's lives. I wish that for everybody.

What would you recommend for people to practice on a day-to-day basis?

I think it is just being true to the moment,.If we can fully grasp each moment that we live in, that can bring a profound change.

Stacey was featured in Stretching for Any Age (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ3F2SE32IA) By Greg Lynch Jr. in our March/April 2011 issue (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=944). I had the pleasure of meeting Stacey in person for the first time at the Summit. http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250875_10150262800754363_135964689362_8935030_8372 910_n.jpg

[wenshu]

his Holiness Venerable Master Abbott Shi Yongxin

Why do the honorifics multiply every time someone new writes about him?

[GeneChing]

I'm guessing the "His Holiness" comes from His Holiness the Dalai Lama ironically. And there's only one T in Abbot. Abbott is more like Abbot & Costello.

Here's our coverage: The 1st Shaolin Summit (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com//magazine/article.php?article=964) Video by Greg Lynch Jr. Commentary by Gene Ching. It's a video diary of two days with the Abbot. :cool:

[enoajnin]

Only nineteen videos of the Abbot's visit? His holiness the right honorable and Venerable should have gotten more for his supreme righteousness visit.

[wenshu]

Here's our coverage: The 1st Shaolin Summit (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com//magazine/article.php?article=964) Video by Greg Lynch Jr. Commentary by Gene Ching. It's a video diary of two days with the Abbot. :cool:

Wow! You and Greg did a hell of a job.

[GeneChing]

Greg deserves the lion's share of the credit. I just babbled on the panel. ;)

Greg will also be doing our webcast for TCKFMCIII (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/info/tournament/index.php). Tune in this weekend!

[enoajnin]

And you can see the videos full screen this year!!!

[Lokhopkuen]

Here are just a few. There are more on facebook. More coverage to come!

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Gene you met Peter Shiao he's an old friend of mine one of the people responsible for the K-Star competitions. I almost made it to the event but got side tracked by urgent personal affairs.

[GeneChing]

I'm posting this Dacascos article here mostly for anyone who went to the summit and heard his panel discussion.


Fat boy slim (http://www.todayonline.com/Entertainment/Television/EDC110613-0000003/Fat-boy-slim)
A very ripped Mark Dacascos takes on Hawaii Five-0's infamous villain, Wo Fat
by May Seah
04:46 AM Jun 13, 2011

As any Hawaii Five-O fan will tell you, there's no villain more menacing than one named after a Chinese restaurant.

In the original series - which ran from 1968 to 1980 - the character of Wo Fat, the show's resident evil, was named after one of Honolulu's Chinatown eateries. Still, Mark Dacascos, who plays Wo Fat in the remake, Hawaii Five-0 (with a zero instead of an O), can't quite imagine a credible villain named Ocean Seafood - the name of one of his favourite Chinese restaurants.

"I love Chinese food!" said the 47-year-old Hawaiian-born actor over the phone from Los Angeles. "I had Chinese food this morning. After my Muay Thai workout, I went down to Chinatown and had dim sum with some of my friends."

As you can gather, while the original Wo Fat was bald and had a bit of a jelly belly, Wo Fat Version 2.0 - that's Dacascos - is a ripped martial artist who's much easier on the eyes.

"Some of my friends tell me that I'm Mo Fat. People say that I'm Lo Fat. And I hope that if I keep working out, I can be No Fat," he joked.

And while Dacascos may look less Asian than the original Wo Fat, who personified the Red Scare fears of that American era, he is racially qualified for the role (which has been updated: Wo Fat is now a crimelord with ties to the Hawaiian Yakuza and terrorist organisations around the world).

Said Dacascos about his background: "My mother is half-Japanese and half-Irish; my father is Chinese, Spanish and Filipino. I have some family still in Hiroshima, and my great grandmother's family comes from Shanghai."

However, there's one thing the Brotherhood Of The Wolf and Iron Chef America star doesn't eat at Chinese restaurants, and that's fortune cookies. "I believe I make my own fortune," he said. "One of my friends is a fortune teller, and I've had Chinese friends who read the face and scalp. I always tell them I don't want to know. I'm going to handle it myself."

As a martial arts champion, Dacascos is fully qualified to handle anything that fate throws in his path. "My parents were kung fu teachers," he explained. "We trained; we entered tournaments on the weekends. It really hit home when I saw my first Bruce Lee movie. I thought, 'Whoa! There's this really cool Asian guy up there who does kung fu, and my dad's a kung fu teacher!' And then everything started connecting and I went, 'I'm part Asian!'

"I was born in Hawaii but when I was six years old, we moved to Colorado, and I was the only Asian in the whole school ... To be over there and then to see Bruce Lee up on the screen, it felt really good."

It was kung fu movies that spurred Dacascos' next drastic move. "When I was 17, I decided that I wanted to be like Jet Li in the movie The Shaolin Temple," he recounted. "I saved up money from teaching kung fu lessons for my father. I sold my drum set and I moved to Taipei so that I could practice more martial arts with a notable Shaolin teacher there, and study Chinese, so that someday, in my mind, I could join the Shaolin temple.

"Well, I was there for six months, and my uncle, who was a Polynesian dancer, was in Taipei with his dance troupe. And I fell in love with a Hawaiian girl in the troupe! And I thought, well maybe I'm not monk material."

Now happily married to actress Julie Condra, with an 11-year-old son, Dacascos said, "I was definitely a fan of the original Hawaii Five-O. I used to sit in front of the TV with my grandfather and watch it. I love my character. He's a bad guy, and sometimes it's good to be bad."

[@PLUGO]

The comments on this video (http://youtu.be/bxK4YXR7vyU) have been pretty explosive. Have a look see . . .

[pazman]

Who is the hell is bncrbartxla? Why does USSD send their students out to make such ridiculous claims? I don't remember seeing a "den of wooden men" at the Temple.:rolleyes:

[LFJ]

Who is the hell is bncrbartxla? Why does USSD send their students out to make such ridiculous claims? I don't remember seeing a "den of wooden men" at the Temple.:rolleyes:

He clearly said; "Because I go to USSD we get to go places in the temple that other people are not allowed to go."

You know, it's in that one part of the temple that was in that one movie.... Of course you haven't seen it.

[pazman]

He clearly said; "Because I go to USSD we get to go places in the temple that other people are not allowed to go."

You know, it's in that one part of the temple that was in that one movie.... Of course you haven't seen it.

Somebody should alert the USSD "Grandmasters" that the real Shaolin is in the basement of the Alamo.:cool:

[r.(shaolin)]

The comments on this video (http://youtu.be/bxK4YXR7vyU) have been pretty explosive. Have a look see . . .

Sorry . . . but what a sad demo of so called "Shaolin" martial arts.
r.

[LFJ]

The poor thing about the modern wushu that's passed off as genuine Shaolin martial arts, is that it's not even that clean. It's sloppy sport wushu. It wouldn't meet the standards in competition.

[wenshu]

Sorry . . . but what a sad demo of so called "Shaolin" martial arts.
r.

There was a lot of wushuified mantis shaking stuff going on from some performers.

Also some strong traditional performances; Mei Hua Dao ~1:22, Da Hong Quan ~6:08, Pao Quan ~10:00.

[YouKnowWho]

The comments on this video (http://youtu.be/bxK4YXR7vyU) have been pretty explosive. Have a look see . . .
Where is the "opponent"? TCMA cannot be trained "solo".

[Almost A Ghost]

The comments on this video (http://youtu.be/bxK4YXR7vyU) have been pretty explosive. Have a look see . . .

I just see people oblivious to the fact they are being trolled.

[GeneChing]

I just see people oblivious to the fact they are being trolled.Like that's any different here...:rolleyes:

At the Luminarias Banquet, the modern wushu (mostly xiangxing styles) were mixed in with the traditional. This is pretty par for the course. For the Shaolin Summit itself, we separated these into Traditional Shaolin Forms (http://www.youtube.com/user/KungfuMagazinedotcom#p/u/18/HCwckX0iZUo) and Imitative Styles (http://www.youtube.com/user/KungfuMagazinedotcom#p/u/16/bOKq47VeiAE).