Help with Lineage of Shaolin Abbots.

[Justaguy]

Can anyone point me to a list of the last couple of abbots of the Henan Shaolin monestary? I'm trying to find one on the internet, but not having too much luck.

Thanks.

[GeneChing]

The current Abbot is Shi Yongxin, of course. Prior to him was Shi Xingzhen (1914-1987). Before that, the position was empty for three centuries. The next official abbot was Shi Haikuan, who died in 1666. There were several honorary abbots in between, but officially speaking, that's it. I explained this in the intro to my 2003 article, The World Heritage of Shaolin: Interview with Venerable Shi Yongxin, Abbot of Shaolin Temple.

[ironcu]

Mr. Ching, Gene

I noticed you have removed both of mine postings

1. need an honest answer
2. in search for knowledge

Your reasons was that I posted my ads in every forum. Maybe that's the rule that I didn't know about or did not read about. My reasons doing that was because I thought every forum is different and that in order for people to see my ad I must post my ad in every forum. If the rule is not to post the same ad in every forum that's fine with me however I disagree. I think my ads are very reasonable and deserve attention from all the members in the martial art community and all serious martial artists. My ads are intended for education purposes only because I am serious about learning and I have no other intention besides learning. If I may ask you to place my ads back in any forum you choose to so others can view and respond to. Thanks you for your time!

sincerely,
Ironcu.

[GeneChing]

And you even double posted on that after I expressly warned you to stop. You say you are serious, but you haven't even done the basic research by looking at this forum. I have no patience for this today. Welcome to the banned, ironcu.

We now return to our regular programming.

[Lamassu]

I didn't know Shi Suxi wasn't the proper abbot, how did he (and others) get the duties if not through official initiation? I read your article you linked, very enlightening, BTW has the Shaolin Temple website have an english version yet? Do you know the link?

[GeneChing]

Last time I checked, there was no English translation for that website. I'll post it if it becomes live again, but no use doing so now. Perhaps they have a new one.

As for the abbacy of Shi Suxi, as well as a few others, it was during the initial reconstruction period in the 80's. Shaolin was in a dilapidated state until Shaolin Temple in '82. Things were pretty disorganized. Suxi, as a senior monk, was called upon to lead. I have a few documents that he signed as 'abbot' but he never went through the official indoctrination ceremony and so was not entered into the lineage. Nevertheless, his contribution to Shaolin is immeasurable.

[richard sloan]

several prominent monks served in capacities that were basically abbocies, but without the official inductions.

Su Xi of course, and I have a short list somewhere with some other names. I'll see if I can search it out.

[Justaguy]

Thanks for the help.