Just got this press release from Shaolin Temple USA:
The Venerable Shi Yongxin
Abbot of China Songshan Shaolin Temple
Meets the Press
Date & Time: Monday 3/17/2014, 3 pm
Place: Shaolin Temple USA Culture Center, 5509 Geary Blvd. San Francisco
Contact: Diana Hong 415-666-9966
Website: www.ShaolinUSA.us
Email: ShaolinTempleUSA@ShaolinUSA.us

Host: Shaolin Temple USA
Founder: Master Shi Yanran
34th Generation Shaolin Temple Monk


Venerable Shi Yongxin, Abbot of China Songshan Shaolin Temple
to visit Bay Area for
China Songshan Shaolin Temple Day
in California
10th Anniversary Celebration
March 17-23, 2014


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The Venerable Shi Yongxin, Abbot of China Songshan Shaolin Temple will arrive in San Francisco on March 17 to preside over Celebration events for the 10th Anniversary of "Songshan Shaolin Temple Day in California," March 17 - 23, 2014.

The California State Assembly first proclaimed March 21 as "China Songshan Shaolin Temple Day" in 2004 in recognition of the 1,500-year old Buddhist monastery's contributions to world civilization and the human spirit. Californians welcomed the Abbot and this friendship delegation with overwhelming reception and great interest in Shaolin traditions.

As Abbot of China Songshan Shaolin Temple (est. 495 AD), birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, the Venerable Shi Yongxin is the leader of the Chan Buddhist sect with over 200,000,000 followers worldwide. He also serves on the People's Congress of the People's Republic of China as a representative of China's 120,000,000 Buddhist practitioners.

China Songshan Shaolin Temple is also the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu (martial arts) with tens of millions of practitioners around the globe. It is respected as the origin of many martial arts disciplines in different regions of the world.

The culture of Shaolin Temple is a unique blend of Buddhism and Kung Fu (martial arts). Besides for the self defense and health benefits, Shaolin monks train in Kung Fu as a form of spiritual cultivation. Shaolin Warrior Monks have toured over 60 countries and dazzled world audiences, including many heads of states, with their extraordinary prowess.

In 2009, the 5th Anniversary of Shaolin Temple Day was again celebrated in the Bay Area and at the State Capitol with great fanfare. The Abbot and a friendship delegation arrived for the weeklong festivities that included a whole-day-event at San Francisco's Union Square introducing Shaolin Temple's heritage in Chan (Zen) Buddhism, Shaolin Kung Fu (martial arts) and Shaolin Medicine, and a theatrical production featuring the legendary Shaolin Warrior Monks at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

The 10th Anniversary festivities that span 6 days and multiple cities are hosted by Shaolin Temple USA, an official overseas cultural institution of Songshan Shaolin Temple. The Abbot visits California to further the cultural exchanges and share the wonders and benefits of Shaolin Temple's rich cultural heritage with the American people.