2024 Shaolin European Federation Returns to Shaolin Temple to Return to the Mountain Pilgrimage
On August 15, the “2024 Shaolin European Federation Returning to the Ancestors” activity initiated by the Shaolin European Federation was held at the Shaolin Temple in Songshan Mountain. From 22 countries in Europe, 509 Shaolin disciples, not far from thousands of miles to Songshan, China, in Shaolin Temple, “return to the ancestor”, attracted the attention of the world. This is also following the July 4, 2006 more than 500 American Shaolin disciples return to the mountain pilgrimage, the largest overseas Shaolin disciples to find the roots of the trip.
At 9:00 a.m. that day, a thousand years of ancient temples, Zen ancestor Shaolin Temple outside the gate, 509 foreign disciples dressed in different costumes are divided into many rows, their hands together, return to the ancestor, a thousand piety.
The 509 Shaolin disciples came from 22 countries in Europe. Among them, some are government workers, members of parliament, some are teachers, police officers, but also doctors, science and technology workers …… cover all areas of society, with different skin colors of the foreign disciples, men and women, old and young, most of them came to China for the first time, they crossed the time and space and language barriers, with a sincere heart, just to find the faith! Most of them came to China for the first time, crossing the barriers of time and space and language, with a sincere heart, just to find the source of faith.
Under the protection of flags of various colors, the disciples faced the center of the podium, where Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin gave a compassionate speech.
“Today, disciples from Europe, with the love and yearning for Shaolin culture, crossed thousands of mountains and rivers to return to their ancestors, and I am deeply delighted. You are not only purveyors of Shaolin culture, but also a bridge of cultural exchange between the East and the West.” Shi Yongxin said he hoped that the foreign disciples would continue to uphold the Shaolin spirit, study hard, cultivate their bodies and improve their character in the days to come. At the same time, it is also hoped that they can become messengers connecting the East and the West, passing on the wisdom of Shaolin culture and the concept of peace to more people, and contributing to the building of a community of human destiny.
“Shaolin Temple will always be your warm home and the home of your hearts. Wherever you are, as long as you have Shaolin in your hearts, you can feel the warmth and strength of home.” As the head of the Shaolin family, Shi Yongxin said so.
The influence of Shaolin Temple in Europe
As the birthplace of Zen and Kung Fu, Shaolin Temple has, over the centuries, combined Zen culture with Kung Fu, medicine and art to form a unique Shaolin cultural system. This cultural system not only conveys the tenets and concepts of compassion, health, and peace to the world, but has also had a profound impact on world culture, including European culture. Feeling the majesty of the thousand-year-old temple, experiencing the wonders of Shaolin meditation, and slowly savoring the essence of Shaolin culture, the foreign disciples were satisfied.
Over the past twenty years, the Shaolin Cultural Delegation has been invited to Europe many times to spread Shaolin meditation and martial arts culture, which has been loved and recognized by more and more European people. Over the past decades, through the majority of foreign disciples, Shaolin culture has integrated with the local culture of Europe, not only allowing it to take root in Europe, but also allowing people around the world to feel the unique charm of Chinese culture, which has made an important contribution to the international dissemination of Shaolin culture, and also played a positive role in promoting the diversity and inclusiveness of world culture.
The Spread of Shaolin Kung Fu in Europe
“Shaolin culture is profound and profound, and we spread Shaolin culture in Europe through three main ways: firstly, public courses, including sparring, confrontation and gongfu; secondly, Shaolin health courses, including the Ba Duan Jing, Yi Jin Jing, and Marrow Cleansing Sutra; and thirdly, Zen cultivation courses, which adjust the physical and mental state by sitting in Zen.”
Shi Yongxin said that Shaolin culture is particularly suitable for the slow life pursued by Europeans. After their material life is satisfied, their spiritual life needs are higher, and through the Shaolin culture series of courses, they can achieve spiritual enjoyment, which is very attractive to them.
As we all know, the most important thing in Buddhism is the “precepts, determination and wisdom” three studies, there is a standardized system, and overseas Shaolin disciples use the system to regulate the behavior, quietness produces wisdom, both for themselves and for the future of society are helpful.
“The Shaolin way of life has very distinct advantages. What we offer to our foreign disciples is a way to live a healthy life, a healthy mind, body and soul, which is naturally welcomed.” Shi Yongxin said.
Summarize
Returning to the ancestor is not only a kind of reverence and return to the Shaolin Temple, but also a kind of pursuing and practicing the Shaolin spirit. Through this activity, they can communicate with more fellow disciples and gain something from it.
“I hope that the Shaolin disciples will continue to uphold the Shaolin spirit, study hard, cultivate their bodies and improve their character in the days to come. At the same time, it is also hoped that they can become ambassadors connecting Eastern and Western cultures, passing on the wisdom and peace concepts of Shaolin culture to more people, and contributing their respective strengths to building a community of human destiny.”
