Shaolin Temple to take over management at four Kunming temples
Wednesday, 26th November 2008Chris ~ Link ~ Comments (0)
The temple's abbot Shi Yongxin (释永信) signed an agreement earlier this week with Kunming's Guandu district to take over management of four ancient temples in Kunming: Miaozhan Temple (妙湛寺), Tuwang Temple (土主庙), Fading Temple (法定寺), and Guangyin Temple (观音寺).
According to Kunming media reports, this new 'Yunnan Shaolin' is expected to serve as a platform through which the temple will transmit 'Shaolin Culture' to South and Southeast Asia. Ten monks from Shaolin Temple will be dispatched to the four Kunming temples, where they will manage business with the goal of attracting tourists.
The reported terms of the 20-year agreement between Shaolin Temple and the Guandu district are for Shaolin to take over management of the four Kunming temples in exchange for all the profits generated by the temples via ticket sales, sales of religious paraphernalia, religious texts and any donations made by visitors.
Eric Mu at Danwei explains that Shaolin's Shi is facing growing criticism for his business-oriented approach to running the temple.
Shi Yongxin said that the influence of the Shaolin brand will give a significant boost to the popularity of these temples. He denied that the takeover was part of expansion plans at his own temple, as well as the charge that he is running the temple like a chain store.
Earlier this year, Shaolin was criticized for opening an online store selling a variety of Shaolin-related products, including a book priced at 9,999 yuan that purportedly contained the temple's kung fu and medicinal secrets.
Earlier this year, Shaolin was criticized for opening an online store selling a variety of Shaolin-related products, including a book priced at 9,999 yuan that purportedly contained the temple's kung fu and medicinal secrets.
Image: neuwied-musik.de
Never - ever - leave one's tama exposed like thisWillson, a member of the Japan Karate Shotorenmei, said that the Tues/Thurs class was almost filled and he is preparing to add a Mon/Fri class.
Cost is 200 yuan/month for adults (twice weekly) and 150 yuan/month for children (once weekly).
Contact Details:
Room 120, 12th floor, Shouer Dasha (Seoul Tower), 276 Dongfeng Xi Lu
昆明市东风西路276号首尔大厦12楼1205室
135 2939 7334
karate.in.china(at)gmail.com
The Brazilian martial art of capoeira has also had a small but devoted following in Kunming for the last few years, led by Australian Michael Foster. Capoeira blends martial arts, dance, music and acrobatics. Interested? Here are the essentials about Grupo Bantus Capoeira in Kunming:
Class Times:
Tuesday and Friday, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
(No class during Chinese public holidays)
Or go down to Green Lake Park (cuihu gongyuan)on most fine Sundays at 2pm (no class fee)
Venue
Tao Yoga Centre (Next to Origus Pizza Works, opposite the Renmin Road McDonald's)
Tian Hao Sports Building, 4th floor
11 Renmin Lu
Kunming
Cost
One-off pass: 20 yuan
Ten-visit pass: 150 yuan
Contact
Michael: 13608813841
Website
