The Science of Shaolin seminar kicked off at the Great Meditation Hall of Shaolin Temple at 9am on Oct. 23, 2021. Master Shi Yongxin, vice president to the Buddhist Association of China, president of the Buddhist Association of Henan Province and abbot of Shaolin Temple, division head Sun Ruqi of the Henan Provincial Committee of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, chairman Yang Xuchao of the Dengfeng Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’ s Political Consultative Conference, He Congdao, member of the Standing Committee of the Dengfeng Municipal Party Committee and minister of the united front work department, professor Huang Xianian of the institute for Works of Religion of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, professor Ma Mingda of the department of history of the Ji’ nan University, Shaolin monks and others attended the opening ceremony.

The seminar opened three sub-forums--Inscriptions of Shaolin Temple, Chan and Chinese Ecological Culture, and Shaolin Kungfu and Health China, aiming to enable the study of science of Shaolin to be promoted to a new level and then service socialist construction with Chinese characteristics better in the new era. 

Abbot Shi Yongxin expressed his welcome to guests and scholars present at the opening ceremony and said: Shaolin Temple, as the ancestral monastery of Chan sect, was created during the high tide period of the first sino- foreign cultural exchanges in the history of China; Shaolin culture is the outcome of the combination of Buddhist belief and excellent traditional Chinese culture, and the treasure of traditional culture of the Chinese nation. Shaolin culture is extensive and profound. The study on Science of Shaolin must be intensively cultivated. I hope that all parts of society can strongly support it and play an active role, making Shaolin culture contribute its new efforts to carrying Chinese Buddhist culture, traditional culture, strengthening the cohesiveness of the Chinese nation and others.

Division head Sun Ruqi noted in his speech, “In recent years, Shaolin Temple unceasingly strengthens self-construction, works hard to improve monks’ quality, pays attention to heritage and preservation, contributes to innovation and development, strengthens international exchanges, promotes Shaolin culture outgoing, expands the influence of the Chinese nation, enhances soft power of the Chinese nation and also enriches the connotation of Shaolin culture. The success of the seminar will certainly play an positive role in the propagation of Shaolin culture, innovation and practice of the construction of ecological culture, purification and health of human mind, and heritage and development of Chinese culture meanwhile certainly having a positive impact on Buddhist career of Henan province.

Minister He Congdao mentioned in his speech, “It is hoped that the seminar can tell good Dengfeng stories and Chinese stories, increasingly boost the international influence and reputation of science of Shaolin, find the greatest common divisor to speed up Dengfeng’ s construction of the international historical and cultural city, and international tourist destination of China’ s Shaolin Kungfu, implement new progress and development in the new era, and draw up the biggest concentric circle, under the guidance of general secretary Xi’ s guideline of boosting creative transformation and innovative development.

Professor Ma Mingda spoke off the cuff at the opening ceremony. He mentioned Shaolin skill in wushu was turned into Shaolin Kungfu, showing true power when combined with the cultural connotation of “day line, the gentleman to self-reliance”. Shaolin Kungfu monks make a great contribution to protect the country, people’ s stable life and independent development of Chinese culture. 

After the opening ceremony, guest present watched wonderful Shaolin Kungfu performance in front of the Abbot Hall, winning applause from audience on the scene. The three sub-forums of the science of Shaolin seminar conducted simultaneously. (Edited by Zou Xiang, Ma Ang and photographed by Wang Haitao, Liu Shuaipeng and Fu Xueliang)