The 2023 North American Shaolin Games, held in Los Angeles, marked a significant cultural event, showcasing the rich tradition of Shaolin kung fu. This event, which drew around 500 Shaolin disciples from over 40 US states and countries including Canada and Mexico, exemplified the global appeal and enduring legacy of this ancient martial art.
A decade since the inaugural North American Shaolin Cultural Festival in 2013, the Shaolin Temple, renowned for its centuries-old martial arts tradition, organized this official cultural exchange event in the US. The event featured performances and competitions for participants ranging in age from 4 to 60, highlighting the inclusivity and broad appeal of Shaolin culture.
Shi Yongxin, Abbot of the Shaolin Temple, emphasized the significance of Shaolin culture as a beacon of traditional Chinese values such as compassion, peace, health, and harmony. During his opening speech, he expressed the hope that the values embodied by Shaolin kung fu – physical fitness, mental clarity, and harmony – would be effectively showcased at the event.
Wang Taiyu, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, echoed these sentiments at the opening ceremony. He highlighted the role of overseas Shaolin kung fu practitioners in actively inheriting and disseminating Chinese culture, fostering understanding and appreciation among people of various ethnicities.
The Shaolin Temple traditionally assesses eight kinds of practice annually, including preaching, chanting, and etiquette. The Shaolin kung fu examination, or “kaogong,” is a crucial part of this assessment, reflecting the temple’s commitment to maintaining high standards in martial arts practice.
Since 2011, the tradition of Shaolin kung fu competitions has flourished overseas, with events like the European Shaolin Cultural Festival and the North American Shaolin Cultural Festival placing a strong emphasis on Shaolin kung fu competitions. In 2022, the online competition continued this tradition, uniting thousands of participants from across the globe.
The North American Shaolin Games are part of a series of events organized by the Shaolin Temple and the Six Continents Shaolin Federation. These games aim to promote the organization of competitions, encourage participation and exchanges, and enhance the standardization, internationalization, and socialization of Shaolin kung fu.
In addition to Los Angeles, previous editions of the Shaolin Games have been held in Zambia, Singapore, and Argentina. The current North American examination saw over 500 disciples participating in nearly 2,000 matches, demonstrating the wide-ranging appeal and influence of Shaolin kung fu.
Grandmaster Sin Kwan Thé, a leader of several Shaolin centers in the US, noted the physical benefits of regular Shaolin kung fu practice, including improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone, flexibility, and posture.
Currently, the Shaolin Temple operates over 300 overseas cultural centers in more than 100 countries and regions. In the US alone, more than 40 states have Shaolin cultural centers, some run by monks from the temple and others by overseas disciples.
Shi Yongxin’s 13-day North American tour included various celebrations, book signings, and visits to Shaolin academies. He introduced the “Shaolin Duanpin system,” a standardized rating system for evaluating Shaolin kung fu practitioners, reflecting the temple’s commitment to promoting systematic and scientific learning of this martial art.
The 2023 North American Shaolin Games thus not only celebrated the martial art of Shaolin kung fu but also served as a platform for cultural exchange and the promotion of traditional Chinese values. As Shaolin culture continues to gain international recognition, events like these play a crucial role in preserving and disseminating this rich cultural heritage.
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