On August 25, 2018, at 9:30 am, the 6th “Shaolin Kungfu African Class of Students of the Cultural Department graduated successfully in front of the Abbot Hall through a three-month study. Director of the Cultural Department of the Henan Province Song Liping and deputy director Kang Jie, director of Henan Library Kong Dechao, abbot the Shaolin Temple Shi Yongxin, the monastic manager Master Yankang and others attended the graduation ceremony.

This African class consisted of 22 students from 7 countries including the central Africa, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burundi, Mali and Djibouti. During the three-month study in the Shaolin Temple, the chief coach Master Yankang arranged courses, including not only abundant martial arts training course, but also Chinese, calligraphy, Chan culture, Acupuncture and massage and other courses of traditional culture. During retaining excellent Kungfu skills, students could also appreciate the rich connotation of Chinese culture. Abbot Yongxin and masters gave students special concerns and caring in food, clothing, accommodation and transportation as well as study and training and helped them overcome differences of homesickness and living habits, making these students be able to dedicate themselves to practice life of the Shaolin Temple and increasingly improve self-cultivation while retaining dharma joy. Today they gathered in front of the Abbot Hall and expected to performance their three-month Kungfu results being able to be recognized by Abbot Yongxin.

The Cultural Department of Henan Province Song Liping said in the speech that the cultural department and the Shaolin Temple jointly opening African class have successfully completed 5 sessions. This year is the 6th session and would complete it successfully today. Friendship between China and Africa had been built during Mao Zedong’s period. After decades, the feelings between China and Africa have always been lasting and increasingly deepening ties of people between China and Africa. The opening of the Africa class is not only a symbol, but also a kind of promotion. It was hoped that China-Africa relations could be better and the Chinese and African peoples closer. In three months, the students of African class worked hard. “Today your study achievements will be witnessed and it is hoped that you could continue to carry forward and spread excellent traditional Chinese culture and Shaolin culture when you practice Shaolin Kungfu in your own hometown later.”

Abbot Yongxin said, “Bosom friends make distance disappear. Though bosom friends miles apart,no distance if sharing a heart.” In recent years, China-Africa relations go far. This time sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of China and the Cultural Department of Henan Province, “Shaolin Kungfu African Class of Students of the Ministry of China” is the important measure of the relevant commitments in culture that implement China-Africa Cooperation Forum, driving development principles of cooperation between China and Africa, and persistently focusing on cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa. Though the training was short, the results were very fruitful and significant, which provided a broad stage for cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa. “Shaolin Dream” and “African Dream” add radiance and beauty to each other and build a solid foundation for constructing community with shared interests, a community with a shared future and cultural and educational exchanges.

Feeling Master Yongxin’s sincere speech, a represent of students of the African class spoke, “we have received not only the warm reception and good education, but also as the friends, disciples and children of the Shaolin Temple. In the three months, we have learned a lot about ourselves, Chinese culture, Shaolin Kungfu and its values. We come here with nothing in our hands but return with fruitful results. We couldn’t wait to become a messenger to spread Chinese culture and spare everything that we have learned in the Shaolin Temple.”

Amid warm applauses, students of African class started performin Shaolin Kungfu they have learned in the three months, which obtained applauses and approval of Abbot Yongxin and leaders. Then Shaolin Kungfu Monk Corps also demonstrated on the stage. The Kungfu monks began practicing Kungfu from childhood. In the performance, they also served as models for the African students and told that knowledge is infinite. They should continue to practice, which would make Kungfu more solid and be able to go far.

At last, Abbot Yongxin and all guests presented books of traditional Chinese culture, issued course-completion certificates to the students and took group photos. The 6th “Shaolin Kungfu African Class of Students” graduated successfully. (Editor: Zou Xiang, Zhang Hailong)