Shaolin: Temple of Zen: Photographs by Justin Guariglia

[GeneChing]

Check out this new book coming from Aperture:
Shaolin: Temple of Zen
Photographs by Justin Guariglia
Essay by Matthew Polly

Justin contributed the cover photo for our newest Shaolin Special, our Nov/Dec 2007. We'll have more to come on this very soon.

[Bruce W Sims]

Thanks, Gene:

How does this compare to what the Buddhists in Rangoon are doing tonight?

Thoughts?

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[GeneChing]

It probably deserves it's own thread.

[Bruce W Sims]

Sorry, Gene. I certainly did not mean to throw cold water on a topic or incur "thread drift". My only concern is that I sometimes get the feeling that terms such as "Shaolin", "Buddhism" and "monks" often get relegated to the level of "window dressing".

The practice of Buddhism is predicated on a great deal more than simply dressing-up in robes or wearing a mala around one's neck. Buddhist monks, whether Hinayana or Mahayana seek to guide people by their own example as provided for in such writings as the Monastic "108 Injunctions". To identify a person or oneself as a "monk" is to say that one has chosen to lead an exemplary life within a sangha or "community". The monks I mentioned currently being arrested, beaten and shot in Rangoon are living an ideal in service to their community. I think it would be tragic to allow people to imagine that the term "warrior-monk" as found in the write-up you cited automatically entails exotic postures and aerial kicking. In the Buddhist faith, oddly enough, the most "heroic action" is often electing NOT to act, but to persevere. FWIW.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[GeneChing]

You should take a closer look at this book when you get the chance. The cover has an aerial kick, granted, but it's from Shi Deyang, who is a traditional practitioner. The photographer, Justin Guariglia, went to great lengths to focus on what he considered to be authentic monks and traditional practitioners, not the performance wuseng that are featured in most of the Shaolin material you see nowadays. You should take a look at Matt's book too. These aren't window dressings. These are very intriguing looks behind the bamboo curtain, much different than what has preceded.

Clearly, the Burma situation is dire and China is a major factor. I'm surprised you didn't post any resources. Concern is reflected through action.

[LFJ]

You should take a closer look at this book when you get the chance. The cover has an aerial kick, granted, but it's from Shi Deyang, who is a traditional practitioner.[/URL]

and from a traditional form. its the datongbi style of the southern yard. if you look at how his hands are you can imagine how it lands. right fist smashing into the left palm. familiar move? this one just has a jumping split, but its in the traditional form.

on the zen or chan issue-

i agree with fa, because its not just about the word or language its in. zen and chan carry with them implications of separate cultures and practices. zen in japanese traditions is not chinese chan, in that respect. chan is its spiritual parent. zen is a separate evolution with its own distinctly different style. therefore, to say shaolin is a temple of zen would be incorrect.

[Artemisalive]

Hello everyone!

We have a special treat this month - Shaolin Monk Shi De Chao is visiting from China and photographer Justin Guariglia is sharing photos from his new book Shaolin: Temple of Zen. This book was just released and is currently featured in the November/December issue of Kung Fu Magazine. The forewards to the book were written by Abbott Shi Yong Xin & Matthew Polly, author of American Shaolin.

This free three-hour event will be hosted by our good friends at Fighthouse in Chelsea (Manhattan), and the whole family is welcome. Please let everyone know.

Bring your copy of Shaolin: Temple of Zen and both Justin Guariglia and Shi De Chao (using Chinese calligraphy) will sign it for you. If you have not already purchased your copy of this wonderful book, there will be a limited number of copies available for sale on Sunday.

* Talk & Slideshow by author and fine art photographer, Justin Guariglia
* Demonstrations by Shi De Chao, including:
o Qigong
o Empty Hand Form
o Weapon Form
o Calligraphy

When: Sunday October 21, 2pm-5pm

Where: Fighthouse, 122 West 27th Street, 2nd floor (between 6th & 7th Avenues) New York, NY 10001 (212) 807-9202

Cost: Free! Bring your friends and family!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Joshua



Joshua Craig
Artemis Seminars
www.artemis-seminars.com
.................................................. .................................................. ..............................

[Artemisalive]

If you are at all interested in Shaolin or this book, it does not get better than this. Three hours of demonstrations, slideshows and talks...

Fighthouse - 122 West 27th Street, 2nd Floor...2pm.

See you tomorrow!

Joshua

[richard sloan]

unfortunately I missed Shi De Chao's visit- I would have liked to have seen him...maybe later in the week.

The book looks great, I like the mudra shots.

[GeneChing]

However, you can get a piece of him. He autographed some books, along with Justin Guariglia, which we are offering for our web sweepstakes over the next two months. These came out really nice and we're very pleased to offer them. Our thanks to Justin, Dechao and all the good people at Aperture.

The sweepstakes are online now, but the contest doesn't start until Friday, so don't enter until then.

[Shaolinlueb]

I still have to buy the book by Matt Prolly. I have to get this one now.

[Tai-Lik]

Anyone coming down to the Washington/Baltimore area for the Kuoshu tournament or the Wong People Tournament, here's alittle something you can add to your sightseeing list if interested:

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MUSEUM:

Shaolin: Temple of Zen - http://www.nationalgeographic.com/mu...s/shaolin.html

There are other interesting exhibits such as "China's Forgotten Fleet
Voyages of Zheng He"

[GeneChing]

It was great to see him. He gave Gigi and me autographed copies of Planet Shanghai. We discussed a lot of interesting possible projects - he's headed back to China so I've got my fingers crossed that we'll see some more out of him soon.

[GeneChing]

Just got this from Justin. If you're in Shanghai, check it out!

Opening reception this SATURDAY, JULY 18!!!

Mosai|C|ity 城市拼接
Group exhibition at FELLINI Gallery
on view July 18, 2009 through August 31, 2009.

FELLINI Gallery has the great pleasure to invite
you for our new exhibition “Mosai|C|ity”, opening
on Saturday July 18th, 2009 from 5PM to 10PM
accompanied by a French wine and ****tails reception.

Time is simultaneous, an intricately structured JEWEL
that humans insist on viewing one edge at a time,
when the whole design is visible in every facet.
City is synchronized, an intricately formed MOSAICITY,
“rocking angle”, that people continually gaze at the
whole manifesto and it grows dull in our perceptions,
when every visage glows with its full glory, an inner vitality.

Mosai|C|ity, a group exhibition of internationally renowned
photographers Justin Guariglia and J Andrew Scott,
promising American artist Vincent Harkiewicz, and the winners
of the Most talented Chinese Young Artists 2008: Zi Bai,
Chen Duxi, Hou Xi and Cao Xihui. Together they explore the
past, present, and future of the CITY of the world through
different time frames. They witness and discover every aspect
and façade of the city: culture, tradition, construction vs.
deconstruction, collectivism v/s individualism, people,
immigration, environment, development, degradation and
the world embraced in a city and a city reflecting the world
via installation, painting, photography, sculpture, and video.

For more information, please contact us
at: info@fellinigallery.com or call (021)5404.7787

Mosai|C|ity 城市拼接
Group Exhibition on view July 18, 2009 through August 31, 2009
Opening 开幕式：7.18.2009 Saturday 星期六 5PM-8PM
Venue 地点：Fellini Gallery | 339 Changle lu #15 near Xiangyang lu
长乐路339弄15号
Tel.: +8621 5404.7787
www.FelliniGallery.com
info@FelliniGallery.com

[GeneChing]

I talked to Justin earlier this week. He's doing well and soon to be off on another Asia trip.

Shaolin: Temple of Zen, Photographs by Justin Guariglia
Exhibition

Exhibition on view: Friday, August 14, 2009 –Friday, October 9, 2009

Woodbury Art Museum
575 East University Parkway #250
Orem, Utah
(801) 863-4200

Over an eight-year period, photographer Justin Guariglia won the trust of the legendary warrior monks of the Shaolin Temple, a Chinese Buddhist sect dedicated to preserving a form of kung fu known as the "vehicle of Zen." With the blessing of the main abbot, Shi Yong Xin, Guariglia went on to earn the full collaboration of the monks to create an astonishing, empathic photographic record of the Shaolin art forms and the individuals who consider themselves the keepers of these traditions.