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June 22 - July 3, 2002 We were thrilled to be escorted by Shi De Cheng to the Shaolin Temple itself. Although not nearly so grand in initial outward appearance as some of the other temples and monasteries we toured and trained at, it is a huge complex, with many temples, courtyards, living quarters, halls, and a few shops. There has been much talk about the shops in Shaolin. We heard myriad rumors about them having all been torn down, etc.. While it was true that we saw no other wushuguan - or kung fu schools - in Shaolin village proper (they have all relocated to Deng Feng, about 20 minutes away), the village outside the temple had many shops, selling everything from bottled green tea, to weapons, to the most gorgeous "Wong Fei Hong" style monk robes. Most of the shops are outside the temple complex. The price for weapons there may be a bit higher than for those in Deng Feng, but they are often of better variety and/or quality. Below is the entrance to the temple complex. |
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Two guardians warded the entrance to the Shaolin Temple. This imposing fellow was on the right. His flared nostrils and animated pose made him especially intimidating, and I was much impressed with the skill with which the carver made his garments flow. Note the elaborately painted beams above. Most of the temple buildings were decorated with this same level of gorgeous color and detail. |
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The second guardian, and again, those gorgeous beams. |
| There was so much to see! The senses quickly became overloaded. The serene courtyards with trees, the carved stairway banisters, the elaborate incense burners, the carved filigree in the doors, the intricately painted beams and lintels. One could easily spend a week, or two or three, just admiring. | |
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A famous Shaolin optical illusion. One
monk, or two? I waited five minutes, and in all that time couldn't once get a shot without a hand in it. As each of the tour guides would leave, another would rush in to take his or her place, and immediately place their hand on the carving. Note the interesting reflection off the glass . . . |
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Another temple. |
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(below) One of the famous murals of the Shaolin Temple, "Pair Practicing Six-in-One Boxing". |
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| Another temple . . . | |
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Interior shot of the temple dedicated to Guan
Yin, goddess of mercy and guardian of children. One telling story involves Na Zha, a popular child-hero, usually depicted riding on wheels of fire. Na Zha was born so hideously ugly, that his own father killed and dismembered him. Guan Yin, ever compassionate, restored the child, using parts of the lotus plant: the stalk for bones, the roots for flesh, the beautiful blossoms for skin. Na Zha was renewed, handsome and strong, and became a great hero. Guan Yin is usually depicted holding a vase, which holds the nectar of compassion. Often she will be shown with a dragon. The dragon symbolizes the creative strength of heaven (Yang) and Guan Yin represents the earth (Yin). |
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| Shi De Cheng brought us to many areas of the Shaolin Temple complex that are usually off limits to outsiders. Below: the rambling living quarters. | |
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Entrance to yet another temple. Aren't
those lions gorgeous? We did get to see the famous Thousand Buddha Hall of the Shaolin Temple, where the floor bore mute testimony as to the immense power of the stamping feet of the monks at practice: forty-eight pits stamped into stone. Alas, I forgot a flash for my camera. |
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This is where it really pained me to have
forgotten my flash: a rare opportunity to meet the 30th-generation Senior
Monk of the Shaolin Temple, the Reverend Shisuxi. Shi De Cheng is a
disciple of Reverend Shisuxi, and thus we were privileged to meet him at his
home. Reverend Shisuxi has Parkinson's disease (which he impishly prefers to refer to as Mohammed Ali's disease). He received us warmly, especially the three youngsters in our group, and even asked if we would like to ply him with questions. All of us were too in awe to ask anything! Unless I am mistaken, on the left is Shi De Yang, another disciple of Reverend Shisuxi. Center, seated, is the Senior Monk himself, and to his right, Shi De Cheng, our teacher during our stay in Shaolin. |
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| Another field trip: the Pagoda Forest. | |
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| Sadly, may of these beautiful pagodas were damaged during the Cultural Revolution. |
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Our last day of training. Here, Chris strikes a crane posture atop the plum blossom poles at Shi De Cheng's wushuguan. |
| At the park: Chris and Mini Sifu show off with Shaolin Shuangdao. |
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| (below) The Fab Five: from left to right: Jeff-fu, Julie, Charlie, Mini Sifu II and Aaron. All you ladies out there, please take note that Jeff-fu is oh-so-available and wants to hear from YOU. He is not too bad looking, either, for a Canadian (how's that, Jeffy?). Julie - hope things are going well with the rest of your trip, and that you never have to use the Flagycil or Cipro. Enjoy the good old American TP! Charlie, Aaron: take a shower, will ya? Oh, and when you guys need a laugh, just remember that little building where Julie's knee is, and remember the big things that came out of it! | |
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| The helpful, friendly staff at Shi De Cheng's wushuguan. |
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Little Sifu II strikes a dynamic pose atop the
plum blossom posts. Our stay seemed very short, and yet, we were also anxious to return home to our spouses and our school. |
| We had a good laugh over this sign at the Guangzhou Airport. The English translation reads: "Old People's Special Seat". Sifu was very discouraged when she sat in it and no one protested. |
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We had an eight hour layover in Guangzhou, which flew by as we shopped. Sifu found the perfect item for Chris: a remote controlled snake. Chris had great fun playing with it at LAX, as they delayed our flight again, and again, and again! |
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So good to be home! We enjoyed our stay in
China, but nothing beats the good old U S of A!
Questions? Comments?
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