On Sep. 9,18 Shaolin disciples from Kenya, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria, Gambia and so on folded hands, silently standing in front of the Abbot Hall. The graduation ceremony of the 9th Shaolin Kungfu Training Courses of African Students for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China was completed successfully over three month. Abbot of Shaolin Temple the Grand Monk Shi Yongxin, Mr. Li Yanqing, Party member and deputy director-general of the Culture and Tourism Department of Henan Province, monastic managers of Shaolin Temple master Yankang and master Yanchong, and principal of the Shaolin Kungfu Corps master Yanchang, attended the graduation ceremony and inspected training results.

Abbot of Shaolin Temple the Grand Monk Shi Yongxin addresses

Deputy director-general of the Culture and Tourism Department of Henan Province addresses

Representative of African students addresses

Master Shi Yankang serves as host at the graduation ceremony

After three-month study and cultivation life in China, African students with rich courses and experiences, not only visited China’ s beautiful rivers and mountains, but also systematically studied Shaolin Kungfu, Chinese, Buddhist Medicine, Chan cultivation, Chan bow, calligraphy and so on, enhancing understanding and love for traditional Chinese culture and Shaolin culture. During the study, students also participated in the World Shaolin Kungfu Games Final and European Shaolin disciples’ pilgrimage to Shaolin Temple, built a good friendship with disciples from around the world, and went through sweat and laughter and challenge and growth together.

Classroom interaction

African students study Shaolin Chan medicine

African students study Chinese calligraphy

African students practice Shaolin Kungfu

Kungfu monks from Shaolin Temple demonstrate Shaolin Kungfu

Taking a group photo with delight

On Sep. 4, African students invited to Beijing attended the summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum 2024 and showed a friendly communication image of China-Africa, becoming messengers of China-Africa cultural exchange and witnessing a solid friendship between China and Africa.

In the meantime, students from Ethiopia, Nigeria and Gambia would be also invited to attend the 6th World Buddhist Forum held in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. These precious experiences would become unforgettable memories of their life and also build a firm foundation to better share Chinese stories and spread Shaolin culture in the future. (Report by Yue Long, photographed by Dong Wenke, Ren Hongbing and edited by Zou Xiang)