Shaolin Monk Corps--Shaolin Temple

Home > Shaolin Kungfu Monk Corps > Abbot

Abbot Shi Yongxin, local name Liu Yingcheng, was born in 1965, his hometown in Yingshang, Anhui province. He got to Shaolin Temple in 1981 and respected Abbot Xingzheng, the twenty-ninth abbot of Shaolin Temple, as his master. Abbot Xingzheng passed away in 1987 and then Shi Yongxin took over the position of director of Shaolin Temple Management Committee, comprehensively presiding over the Shaolin Temple’ s affairs. Shi Yongxin got the honor to become the abbot of Shaolin Temple in 1999. Abbot Shi Yongxin has been selected as president of the Buddhist Association of Henan Province ever since selected in July of 1998. Abbot Shi Yongxin has been selected as the president of the Buddhist Association of China ever since September of 2002. Abbot Shi Yongxin has been respectively selected as the deputy to the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth National People’s Congress ever since March of 1998.

[Detail]

Coverage

People' s Daily Online: United World Chinese Association Leadership Conference 2015 held in Kuala Lumpur

Global Times: Shaolin Temple raises China’s national flag

Chan Sayings

Self-Discipline

Shaolin Chan Dharma

Understand the Mind and See the Nature

Sitting in Meditation

Chan Buddhism and Four Practices

Would you please give some account of the etiquette and life style of a monastic community?

What is the meaning of “Conglin Qinggui”?

Are there regular meetings of the Sangha?

Photos

Shaolin Temple Welcomes the New Year

Shaolin Temple rang out the old year and rang the new year. Feb. 11, 2021 was traditional Lunar New Year’ s Eve. Shaolin monks followed Chinese tradition with thousands of years, such as discussing couplets, worshiping ancestors, staying up all night on New Year’ s Eve, and striking the bell and praying, to celebrate the Chinese New Year together with Shaolin monks.

Chan Tea Cultural Communication in Shaolin Temple

Shaolin Temple holds the Chan tea cultural communication at 9: 30 am on September 13, 2020. Mr. Cai Mei, director of the standing committee of the National People’ s Congress in Fuding city and deputy group leader of the leading group of tea industry development, protector Fang Shoulong and his wife from Baicha Mountain and others visited Shaolin Temple, and exchanged Chan tea culture with abbot and monks from Shaolin Temple.

Worship Ancestors During the Qingming Festival

Shaolin monks worshiped ancestors during the year’ s Qingming Festival. Shaolin monks went to the Pagoda Forest to sweep pagodas and worshp ancestors to remember Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions and founders of generations on Mar. 27, 2021.

Visiting Shuiyu Temple in Dengfeng to Investigate and Guide the Work

A group led by master Shi Yongxin, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, president of the Buddhist Association of Henan Province and abbot of Shaolin Temple, visited an affiliated temple-- Shuiyu Temple in Dengfeng to investigate and guide the work, receiving a warm welcome from master Yankai, manager of the temple, as well as Buddhists and lay Buddhists.

Visiting Wangu Temple

A group led by master Shi Yongxin visited Wangu Temple to investigate and guide the work, receiving a warm welcome from master Yanzuo and monks from Wangu Temple on the afternoon of Oct. 4, 2020.

‹

›

Works

THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE STORY

THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE STORY is the first English book to provide an in-depth look at the temple's history and present culture, from its founding in the 6th century CE to the present day. Abbot Shi Yongxin who has lived and worked there for forty years provides an intimate look at the temple’s unique practices and beliefs, including martial arts, Chán Buddhism, and its traditional health and healing practices. In addition to archival pictures and documents, new photos of the Shaolin Temple were shot exclusively for this book.

View Details
Encyclopedia of Chinese Budd...

The Encyclopedia of Chinese Buddhist Medicine is a multi-volume series of ancient literature edited together by Shi Yongxin, and professor Li Liangsong from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The book consists of four sections including the medical theory of sutra, medicine in sutra, monks’ medical works and lay Buddhists’ medical works, which is known as “the most comprehensive literature collection of Buddhist medicine and health preservation throughout history”.

View Details
Encyclopedia of Shaolin Temp...

Encyclopedia of Shaolin Temple follows general rules of compiling an encyclopedia in the modern era, based on the characteristics of Shaolin Temple and Shaolin culture, striving to be comprehensive and scientific in terms of selected and classified entries, knowledge structure system, ways of compilation and others. The book takes Shaolin Temple as the core and knowledge system of Shaolin culture as its basic content, and also contains the basics of Buddhism.

View Details
My Heart My Buddha

The book was edited by master ShiYongxin, abbot of Shaolin Temple and published by Hualing Press in 2008. Master Shi Yongxin tells us in the book truth that Buddha realized and contents that Buddha preached dharma over forty nine years whose core is five words: do not be imaging things (Chinese: 别胡思乱想).

View Details

NPC Proposals

Recommendations concerning making relevant policies and encouraging a pluralistic way of old-age care2021-10-21

The aging population in our country hit 0.25 billion people in 2014. The country makes relevant policies and governments at all levels, communities and social organizations do a lot of work about how the old people spend their later years happily and peaceful.
Some advice to restart the preparations for the “International Shaolin Federation”2021-10-21

Instructed and supported by a number of leaders of the central and provincial committee, the implement of the strategy of Shaolin culture outgoing yields impressive results.
Recommendations concerning revitalizing martial arts and implementing “Three entering” “Six entering” and “Entering the Olympic Games”2021-10-21

General secretary Xi Jinping noted: “Without the prosperity of Chinese culture there is no the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
Recommendations concerning the propagation of traditional sports and improving health2021-10-21

In recent years，all regions and related departments earnestly implement decisions and arrangements of the CPC central committee and the State Council, strengthen health education, focus on promoting environment renovation, take serious measures in hygiene and food safety, launch an extensive exercise campaign for the general public, promote lifestyle modification and other efforts, which plays an active role in improving public health.
Recommendations concerning protecting the material carrier of traditional culture2021-10-20

Tradition is the foundation and culture the vein of the nation. General secretary Xi Jinping noted in the book of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation Should Carry Forward Excellent Traditional Culture: “The strength of a country and a nation is always propped by the prosperity of culture.”
Some advice to boost cultural confidence and non-governmental organizations playing an active role in the strategy of Chinese culture outgoing2021-10-20

President Xi noted: “ The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is subject to the prosperity of Chinese culture.” Culture as soft power gradually becomes an improtant aspect of the core competence of all countries and a symbol of comprehensive national strength.
Some suggestions on the strategy of rural revitalization2021-10-20

Rural revitalization benefits the people, future generations and the nation. The current discussion on rural revitalization is particularly significant, giving people an opportunity to reconsider the present mainstream lifestyle and return to our traditional Chinese cultural.

Talks

Kungfu Practice2025-06-04

Practicing Kungfu is a profession. Martial arts is the foundation and Kungfu lies in youself. Practicing Kungfu has to be firm or solid: basic skills, sets, attack and defence as well as Kungfu, working steadily. The orderly Kungfu practice can change disorderly. Chan is the root and Kungfu lies in your heart. You must contemplate from your heart. Kungfu can’t be superb until finding your true self. (From Words of Chan by Shi Yongxin)
The Realm2025-06-04

Some people establish undertakings that are vigorous but may have a sense of emptiness; what some people do is the social edge career but may be very full. Therefore Buddhism thinks that it is not necessary for each one to become a monk and it is also necessary for everyone to have a very good job industry. No matter what you do, this is always a discipline or practice in every industry. That is also both responsibilities and obligations for society. Trying to satisfy people is the very state or the realm towards kindness and ascending. (From Words of Chan)
Root of Wisdom2025-06-04

Chan practice needs the enlightenment and Shaolin Kungfu also needs enlightenment. At the beginning of practicing Shaolin Kungfu, people is usually in the physical training stage. You will be able to improve Kungfu only with correct methods and hard work. Practicing to a certain extent, you will be beyond the physical training stage and enter upon a new phase. You have to practice with your heart during this period which does not mean practicing carefully and diligently but enlighten yourself by the heart. Becoming a holy one or an ordinary people hinges on this one action. If you can enlighten mental cultivation methods of Chan Wu, then you will attain the supreme realm of Chan Wu; if you does not enlighten it, you will waste your life. Enlightenment or no enlightenment is talent but not destiny. People with sharp root of wisdom enlighten themselves early. However, as long as people with blunt root of wisdom can correct themselves, sooner or later they will attain enlightenment. (From Words of Chan by Shi Yongxin)
What Effects Has Buddhism Had on the Development of Chinese Literary Style?2025-06-04

To meet the need to extensively spread Buddhism, a peculiar style of literature, “Bianwen”, evolved. It actually springs from a style of songs and odes popular in ancient times. Bianwen is the expression of Buddhist scriptures in common words for easily narrating and singing. Various Bianwen discovered inside the Dunhuang Caves are popular literary works whose ease, verve and richness of imagination contributed to the subsequent popular forms of Chinese literature such as Pinghua, novels and plays. Besides, another special style named Recorded Utterance, arose out of the records of conversations and inculcations of the Chan masters. This simple and lively oral style was later followed by the Neo-Confucianist scholars in the Song and Ming Dynasties and many such works were produced. In addition, in the field of Chinese Phonology, a system of phonetic letters known as “Fanqie” developed under the influence of the Sanskrit alphabet. This was popularly used in the old Chinese dictionaries. Generally speaking, the Buddhist manifestations in Chinese literary are varied and colorful.
Are the four Holy Mountains also well-known in the world?2025-04-30

The Wutai Mountains as the preaching place of Manjusri was recorded in Mahayana Buddhist scriptures, so in ancient times, it was worshipped by quite a few eminent monks from India and Central Asia. There was even an old legend in Nepal saying that the Kathmandu Valley (where the capital of Nepal is located) used to be a large lake. It was Manjusri, after he arrived there from the Wutai Mountains, China, who cleaved apart a mountain, drained off the lake water, and settled down with his followers, thus founding the State of Nepal.
What is the etiquette between senior and junior monks?2025-04-30

In the monastic community, senior or junior does not refer to older or younger in age, but the number of years since ordination. The title “Thera” (Elder) is conferred on Bhikkhus 10 years after ordination, and “MahaThera” 20 years after ordination. Juniors should salute seniors. Seniors precede juniors while walking along.
Shaolin Culture2025-04-18

Shaolin is not only Kungfu. It is a culture. Mr. Zhao Puchu said: “Buddhism is a culture.” Shaolin is part of traditional Chinese culture, including Chan, martial arts, medicine and others. Then Shaolin Kungfu is the most important part of Shaolin culture. Shaolin culture has been inherited over thousands of years with a profound historical background. Shaolin Kungfu has also been inherited generation by generation, continuing developing and shaping the Chinese treasure, which is esteemed by people around the world. (From Words of Chan by Shi Yongxin)

Coverage

Chan Sayings

Photos

Works

THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE STORY

Encyclopedia of Chinese Budd...

Encyclopedia of Shaolin Temp...

My Heart My Buddha

NPC Proposals

Recommendations concerning making relevant policies and encouraging a pluralistic way of old-age care2021-10-21

The aging population in our country hit 0.25 billion people in 2014. The country makes relevant policies and governments at all levels, communities and social organizations do a lot of work about how the old people spend their later years happily and peaceful.

Some advice to restart the preparations for the “International Shaolin Federation”2021-10-21

Instructed and supported by a number of leaders of the central and provincial committee, the implement of the strategy of Shaolin culture outgoing yields impressive results.

Recommendations concerning revitalizing martial arts and implementing “Three entering” “Six entering” and “Entering the Olympic Games”2021-10-21

General secretary Xi Jinping noted: “Without the prosperity of Chinese culture there is no the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”

Recommendations concerning the propagation of traditional sports and improving health2021-10-21

Recommendations concerning protecting the material carrier of traditional culture2021-10-20

Some advice to boost cultural confidence and non-governmental organizations playing an active role in the strategy of Chinese culture outgoing2021-10-20

President Xi noted: “ The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is subject to the prosperity of Chinese culture.” Culture as soft power gradually becomes an improtant aspect of the core competence of all countries and a symbol of comprehensive national strength.

Some suggestions on the strategy of rural revitalization2021-10-20

Rural revitalization benefits the people, future generations and the nation. The current discussion on rural revitalization is particularly significant, giving people an opportunity to reconsider the present mainstream lifestyle and return to our traditional Chinese cultural.

Talks

Kungfu Practice2025-06-04

The Realm2025-06-04

Root of Wisdom2025-06-04

What Effects Has Buddhism Had on the Development of Chinese Literary Style?2025-06-04

Are the four Holy Mountains also well-known in the world?2025-04-30

What is the etiquette between senior and junior monks?2025-04-30

Shaolin Culture2025-04-18