On August 12, 2023, hosted by the China Weiqi Association and China Songshan Shaolin Temple, undertaken by the Henan Provincial Weiqi Association and Shaolin Weiqi Academy, and co-sponsored by the Daxiang Merged Media, the First Chinese Chan Go Congress and the Fourth Shaolin Black and White Go Open kicked off in Shaolin Temple.

Taking a souvenir photo with delight

The lofty Songshan Mountain stands erectly in the center of Heaven and Earth. Shaolin Temple with rich historical cultures is the ancestral monastery of Chan sect. The Great Monk Shi Yongxin, abbot of Shaolin Temple, national Go master Nie Weiping, Wang Runan, Chang Hao and Liu Xiaoguang, president Sun Weike of the Chinese Institute of Dream of the Red Chamber as well as representatives of Japanese Go circles and cultural circles, and other fine guests gathered in the Songshan Mountain. 

The Great Monk Shi Yongxin addresses the ceremony

At the ceremony, abbot Shi Yongxin said Chan and Go is consistent of all ages. Many senior monks have a close bond with Go and take it as a convenient dharma gate of practice to attain enlightenment. Sitting in meditation has different between the dynamic and static status meanwhile Go has difference between Black and White, however, both of which contain deep magical significance. He also said, the Chinese Chan Go Congress was held is a pioneering undertaking that Shaolin Temple carries forward traditional Chinese culture, “we hope Go, the fine traditional Chinese culture, could be carried forward to meet friends with Go and widely form ties with people through the grand Go congress.”

Mr. Chang Hao, chairman of the Chinese Weiqi Association, gives a speech

Chang Hao, president of the Chinese Weiqi Association, said, the origin between Go and Chan is deep. Many Chan masters of ancient ages are also Go masters. The first Chinese Chan Go Congress could be held in Shaolin Temple, the ancestral monastery of Chan sect, which is a fine integration of Go and Chan in the new era. It is believed that the event held must be able to drive the growth of Chan Go culture in the future.

Taking a group photo at the donation ceremony

The donation ceremony for the screen of Dharma Xuemai Theory was solemnly held at the Sutra-keeping Pavilion in Shaolin Temple after the opening ceremony. The screen embodies not only Dharma’ s faith, but also a model of communication between China and Japan meanwhile this is a symbol of the friendship between the two peoples.

Tatsuya Mimura reads a congratulation letter from the Japanese ambassador

The grace of Go players

Master Shi Yanyong, director of the Shaolin Weiqi Institute, takes media interviews

During the Chan Go congress, the fourth Shaolin Black and White Go Open will be held. There will be 38 domestic top dilettantes participating in the qualifier. The first six winners and two special players (containing the defending champion) are able to play in the finals. Then the player winning the final could eventually take part in the challenge of national player masters on August 13. (Edited by Zou Xiang and photographed by Wang Haitao, Gong Wuwei)