United States Sports Academy & Shaolin

[GeneChing]

But it's reported in the Taipei Times, so that's worthy of note.

Anyone know anyone who has graduated from this course?

Sat, May 19, 2012 - Page 19　
US academy offers online course on Shaolin kung fu
By Cobus du Plessis / Staff Reporter

Those intrigued by the secrets of Shaolin kung fu now have the opportunity to study its mysteries in the comfort of their own home.

The US Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama, has been working with the Shaolin Temple in China’s Henan Province to develop a course on the 1,500-year history and philosophy of Shaolin.

Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin gave his blessing to the course during a more than three-hour meeting in Dengfeng, Henan Province, with academy vice president T.J. Rosandich and Shaolin Temple general manager Qian Daliang.

The online, continuing education course — “The Philosophy of Shaolin Kung Fu” — derives its core text from a newly translated English version of a Chinese manuscript, Shaolin Kung Fu Secrets, which the abbot presented to the academy during a visit in November 2006 to receive an honorary doctorate.

Also drawing on five books on Chan Buddhist teachings provided by the abbot, who is vice chairman of the Buddhist Association of China and a representative of China’s Ninth National People’s Congress, the academy has developed an online format to present key tenets of Shaolin philosophy.

The course, which costs US$200, offers students who finish it a certificate of completion signed by Shi and academy president Thomas P. Rosandich. The course covers qigong, meditation, Chinese medicine, martial art practice and strengthening exercises, as well as spirituality and history. It also touches on the effect the political situation in China has had on the development of the Shaolin Temple and its philosophy.

For more information, visit the academy’s Web site, www.ussa.edu, or e-mail admissions@ussa.edu.

[taai gihk yahn]

But it's reported in the Taipei Times, so that's worthy of note.

Anyone know anyone who has graduated from this course?

I could probably take it for free, I'll ask my dad to talk to Tom, lol...

[GeneChing]

I could probably take it for free, I'll ask my dad to talk to Tom, lol...

We'd all respect you so much more if you had proper credentials.

Seriously, we'd be interested to know your thoughts on the course from the inside.

[taai gihk yahn]

We'd all respect you so much more if you had proper credentials.

isn't it enough that I am certifiable?

Seriously, we'd be interested to know your thoughts on the course from the inside.

let me see what I can get going...

[mooyingmantis]

I contacted the USSA and will be speaking to a representative Monday morning. $200 is chump change for a CEU and the subject sounds interesting.

I will keep you posted on what I find out and the quality of the course.

[GeneChing]

let me see what I can get going...

I contacted the USSA and will be speaking to a representative Monday morning. $200 is chump change for a CEU and the subject sounds interesting.

I will keep you posted on what I find out and the quality of the course.

Looking forward to your reports on this here, gentleman. You are now official forum moles. Stay cool and don't blow your cover.

[taai gihk yahn]

Looking forward to your reports on this here, gentleman. You are now official forum moles. Stay cool and don't blow your cover.

well, spoke to my dad to talk to Rosandich about a freebie - let's see what happens...

[LFJ]

But it's reported in the Taipei Times, so that's worthy of note.

Anyone know anyone who has graduated from this course?

I don't get it. Why is it $200? What would graduation from this get you? How would this course pay for itself?

If something like this is just to educate people on Shaolin history and philosophy, it should rather be free than $200. Just publish the info online like other Buddhist resources.

[taai gihk yahn]

I don't get it. Why is it $200? What would graduation from this get you? How would this course pay for itself?

If something like this is just to educate people on Shaolin history and philosophy, it should rather be free than $200. Just publish the info online like other Buddhist resources.

There's no graduation for this, you get a certificate. It probably wouldn't get you anything per se, except that if you are a PE teacher and need to complete a certain quota of CE credits, this would satisfy the requirement.

The reason it's not free is because USSA is a private, for-profit institution.

Bearing in mind also, that most people who take courses through them are middle-America types who wouldn't know from a Buddhist website if it hit them in the head...

[pazman]

Bearing in mind also, that most people who take courses through them are middle-America types who wouldn't know from a Buddhist website if it hit them in the head...

Any Buddhist monastery or temple in "middle-America" usually offers courses and resources for free (or a donation).

[taai gihk yahn]

Any Buddhist monastery or temple in "middle-America" usually offers courses and resources for free (or a donation).

that's fine, they are Buddhist Temples, it's part of their precepts, and they are supported by donation, as well as being tax-exempt; AFAIK, USSA is a for-profit institution (I can double check on that though), and, again, offers certificates that satisfy things like continuing professional education for PE teachers, who get CE $ from their places of employment to spend at places like USSA;

also, we all know how mercenary the Shaolin Temple™ is these days - no way they would pony-up the goods (Abbot-signed certificate, for example) w/out there being some ¢a$h in it for them...