Shaolin Temple Under New Leadership, implements Strict Reforms
Monk Teach An Loc will lead Shaolin Temple, replacing former abbot Teach Bin Tin. – Photo: SOHU
On November 16, the People’s Procuratorate of Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China approved an arrest warrant for Shaolin Temple’s former head monk Shi Yongxin, heightening interest among martial arts fans in the famous temple.
at the end of July, the Shaolin Temple officially appointed the monk tich an Lac as the new abbot of Shaolin Temple, after the monk Tich Bin Tin was deposed due to several scandals related to corruption and embezzlement.
According to Lien Hop Taobao, as soon as abbot Tichianrak took office, he issued the “Five Regulations” to change the direction of the temple’s activities.
These changes include eliminating purely commercial martial arts performances, banning costly rituals such as “peace incense” and “family blessing incense,” eliminating shops on temple grounds, encouraging monks to grow their own food for self-sufficiency, and adjusting the way internal income is distributed.
additionally, the new abbot proposed a traditional model of monastic life. That is, monks and nuns must wake up early in the morning to recite sutras, work in the fields during the day, practice meditation or martial arts in the afternoon, and meditate together at night.
At the same time, cell phones were confiscated and entertainment was severely restricted.
Shaolin monks were once criticized for moving away from martial arts and focusing solely on acting – Photo: CN
Though, Finance Sina reports that martial arts performances continue.The Shaolin Temple still holds six performances a day, and the performances…
Related reading