Stold Posted February 14, 2003 Posted February 14, 2003 Well, $4500 a year is about the cost of college, so I wouldn't think someone would rip you off. That's actually pretty cheap. In all honesty, I'd rather it not be the temple. I'd rather it be someone I could relate to. And monks in orange robes, well...
Ender Posted February 15, 2003 Posted February 15, 2003 I wonder how good monks really are. Do they sparr? Good luck Henry. Yellow Belt W.T.F. TKD
Iron Arahat Posted February 15, 2003 Posted February 15, 2003 This whole thing is interesting to me, and I've been contemplating it too. But like everyone is saying, I'd rather not be pandered to like a tourist either. Though even if it isn't in the actual temple, when being taught by a monk's disciple in close to the same ways they were taught, knowledge-wise would it really be a rip off? Does it really matter if it's the actual temple or not? I'm looking for more people who have hands-on experience with it. The problem is currently that Shaolin has supposedly "endorsed" people like Steve DeMasco in the US. The push of the Chinese government also has most Monks teaching 'modern style', which is very different from the 'inner school'. Does it matter if you learn actual 'shotokan karate'? Or actual 'WTF Tae Kwon Do"? How many schools do we see that teach their own brand of Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Jujitsu, and so on? China is not immune to these things either. Many people will cash in on money, so call disciples are often not even that. Many people donate to the temple to get plaques of recognition erected, and then claim to be endorsed by the Shaolin Temple, ie. shaolin-do. People such as Grandmaster Simon and Temple Kung Fu also claim to be prophets of Shaolin, which is sad because he switched from Simon's Karate School, when Kung-fu became popular (even though never training), and does not admit that history even though there is evidence otherwise http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives/blackbelt/1965/apr65/wwtourn/wwtourn.html Does it matter? I guess that is for each individual to judge for himself. Personally it saddens me, the world of commercialism, and martial arts. It also saddens me that China is not immune and the damage being done to the history of Shaolin. Martial Arts School http://www.shaolinwushu.cahttp://www.liveyyc.comCalgary Photographer: http://www.jdirom.com
Henry South Posted February 26, 2003 Author Posted February 26, 2003 dear Iron, u havent told me anything i didnt know already and frankly (as i said in an earlier post) i know i am not learning in the actual temple. i wouldnt want to. i want to go to china, explore and learn martial arts. nothing more. i also wanted to share this experience with others of like mind who may consider going as well. i will be learning from people who did learn themselfs in the temple itself and national champions. and thats good enough for me. so if u wish to partake in a disscussion like were i can buy several deacent cheap pairs of wushu shoes i would ask you to please stay out of a friendly exchange of knowlage. yours sincerly Henry South
mikelw Posted March 6, 2003 Posted March 6, 2003 Hello all, well its been a while since i posted or even replyed to this board. mainly because i had no news. now however i do. in 5 months time im off to china to join the shoulin temple. im not just posting to brag. im posting for two reasons. im going for 3 years and im scared to death of leaving everyone behind my friends my family... EVERYONE! and secondly i have access to a computer once every 2 weeks. and i am currently making a mailing list for my jornal walst im there. so if u want to hear how much i suffer. or just laugh at me send me a msg. and i will be starting it up within the month as a build up. i am also sending copys to several newspapers in the uk. yours sincerly Henry South Henry, It has been my dream to do what you are going to do. Please tell me how you arranged for yourself to join a shaolin temple. It would mean the world to me if i coudl do the same.
Iron Arahat Posted March 20, 2003 Posted March 20, 2003 dear Iron, u havent told me anything i didnt know already and frankly (as i said in an earlier post) i know i am not learning in the actual temple. i wouldnt want to. i want to go to china, explore and learn martial arts. nothing more. i also wanted to share this experience with others of like mind who may consider going as well. i will be learning from people who did learn themselfs in the temple itself and national champions. and thats good enough for me. so if u wish to partake in a disscussion like were i can buy several deacent cheap pairs of wushu shoes i would ask you to please stay out of a friendly exchange of knowlage. yours sincerly Henry South Henry...my prior posts are for some of the other users that have been posting in this thread. I know that you are aware of the fact you are training in a satellite school. As for shoes call phone - 0371-2878398 they are in Denfeng. Henry this is a forum as well, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Enjoy your training. Martial Arts School http://www.shaolinwushu.cahttp://www.liveyyc.comCalgary Photographer: http://www.jdirom.com
diamondick Posted April 5, 2003 Posted April 5, 2003 Being a Shaolin monk requires many things, among others you have to study Buddhism for three years in China.-The only occidental monk who has entered the temple is called Juan Carlos Aguilar (Huang Aguilar) he is from Spain like me.
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