Entrevista al Gran Maestro Shi De Yang

Grandmaster Shi De Yang: A Warrior Monk's Life

Grandmaster Shi De Yang is a 31st-generation student and teacher of the Shaolin Temple’s ancient traditions, and is one of a few ‘warrior monks’ at the forefront of taking the Temple and its martial arts through the rapidly changing modern landscape to find a secure home in the 21st century. Regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on Shaolin kung fu, the young grandmaster has featured in many books and documentaries on the Temple and its martial arts. During a recent visit Down Under to teach at the Brisbane school of Shaolin disciple Sifu Ramesh Patel (or Shi Xing Zhong, as the temple has anointed him), Grandmaster Shi De Yang gave Blitz an insight into a life devoted to Shaolin.

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GM Shi De Yang - Shaolin Monk
Sifu De Yang, how did you first come to be a student at Shaolin Temple?

When I was young my family had a good relationship with a Shaolin monk. I was inspired by the stories he told and the presence he commanded. The Shaolin monks were things of legend and with movies being made about them and their amazing history, I was very inspired to go to Shaolin.

Although, when I went to Shaolin, my parents did not share the same views as I had of Shaolin and the monastic life. I was one of the first new monks after the Cultural Revolution and I was very fortunate to have been accepted as a disciple of the late Great Master, my sifu, Shi Su Xi.

Were you enthusiastic about taking up the monastic life of a warrior monk, or did you find it daunting at first?

Many people find monastic life difficult, mentally and physically. A life dedicated to Chan [Buddhism] and its Dharma is not for everyone.
I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a monk at Shaolin Temple so, my life there, although hard, I enjoyed it a lot…it has shown me many amazing aspects of life, many of which most people will never get to experience.

What were the most difficult parts of temple life to get used to?

During the early days of my life in Shaolin Temple, training and living was very basic. The food and the living conditions were very humble. My sifu and the masters of the temple would train us in Chan, kung fu and medicine intensely and diligently every day. Our sifu was very strict and we were punished if we did not do it correctly. The ji ben gong [fundamentals] were the main focus of our training. Sometimes my master would make me hold a posture or movement for over an hour to make sure that it was correct. We studied in the old ways (he smiles); my master would sometimes have a stick to make sure we remained disciplined; if not, then we would be struck. It was not in the way of causing us harm or as abuse; it was a reminder of what was right and what was not. My master was very gentle and had many students, but was strict and precise, just like his master, the great Shi Zhen Xu.

Although many people see this life as hard or [see] that it seemed like our sifus were harsh, we see that the path of Chan is not one that is easy, physically or mentally. Although tough and what many would consider a desolate lifestyle at times, I enjoyed my life at the temple as it was where I wanted to be. As time has progressed, the temple life has improved, with better living conditions and better facilities for the continued learning of Shaolin culture, skills and philosophies.

For those like yourself who choose to follow kung fu within their study of Chan, what does the daily training involve?

When I arrived in Shaolin Temple, [I found] that kung fu is not a choice but an essential part of Chan and Shaolin culture. The study of kung fu within Shaolin Temple is a decision made by your sifu and he must see that it is for you.

The study of Chan encompasses all elements of physical, mental and spiritual development. Kung fu is a gift that has been given to us by our ancestors and it is part of my daily life, just like cooking or going to work. A normal day will consist of meditation, studying the teachings of the Buddha, martial practice and then the allocated job within the temple, which, depending on what your role in the temple is, will vary in time invested in it, but every monk has a responsibility within the temple. This is to ensure that the temple is maintained and runs well, just like any family household.

Shaolin monks train very hard every day, so how do you avoid and treat injuries? Are there experienced medical practitioners around the temple as well?

Shaolin Temple is known for Chan Buddhism, Shaolin kung fu and Shaolin medicine. Very few are aware that the monks of Shaolin Temple have been practising ancient medicine practices since the temple was started. We have unique herbs found only within the mountain ranges of Song Shan [Song Mountain] that we use in our medicines and treatments we provide and administer. We produce our own medicines from within the region the temple occupies.

The ability to help other people is one that resonates within all monks and that is also why we have been renowned as Chinese medical practitioners in the past. Our specialised treatments and medications have been sought after for centuries due to their effectiveness, especially within the area of martial arts. Obviously with martial arts training there can be injuries, so over time we developed medicines and treatments to aid in recovery and revitalisation of the affected area. Our medicine is slowly spreading out of our temple and we have had many elite sportspeople, such as NBA players, seek out treatments for their knees at Shaolin Temple.

Many Westerners and other foreigners now come to Shaolin wanting to train, or come to you to invite you to do seminars. Has this been a good thing for Shaolin or has it presented problems for the temple and teachers such as you?

As you know, Shaolin Temple’s reputation has grown in recent years due to many things and more and more people are able to come to China now; however, not many foreigners are actually able to study within the temple without the appropriate connection or invitation, and it is even harder to train directly with the senior monks like myself. As one of the senior monks, I also am very busy with duties and other commitments throughout China and the globe, so it is not so easy to achieve this goal.

In the past I did not travel or conduct seminars; it wasn’t until 2007 that my disciple, Sifu Ramesh, who is very dedicated and a great family member of Shaolin Temple, encouraged me for the first time to leave the temple and pass on my knowledge to Shaolin enthusiasts in Australia. I have found that from this experience that it was essential for me and the monks of Shaolin Temple to encourage and share our rich and deep culture outside the temple, just as Shaolin Monks had done in the past.

One of the problems we do encounter, which is not just found in our art but in all arts, is when people have attended a workshop or have just got a photo with me or the monks and then [they] inform others they are our students, disciples or representatives. In recent times some of these people have been found to be engaged in criminal activities, which reflects badly on everyone and discourages me from being more active.

Other problems we find is when people come to the temple and believe it to be like a movie and they are shocked when they are told they cannot train at the temple or train with any monk they like. We welcome all to study Shaolin Temple’s skills, culture and philosophy but it must be conducted in the right way, according to the customs and rules of our temple.

In the West, in martial arts like karate, for example, much of the old-style conditioning such as hitting a makiwara has long ago been abandoned in an attempt to make the arts more popular. Is this likely to happen to Shaolin kung fu as its popularity increases?

The short answer is no. We have been training these skills for centuries and it is what is considered the foundations of our physical and mental conditioning. We are not looking to make things easy or popular just to attract people. We have been renowned for centuries for our intense conditioning so I do not see us changing our traditions.

Since the incorporation of sanshou/sanda (full-contact sport kung fu)practices at the Shaolin Temple, has this had any effect on the focus of the daily kung fu training and how it is done?

Sanshou/sanda has its origins and foundation from Shaolin and many of the world’s greatest sanda fighters originate from the Shaolin region. At the schools in Deng Feng, you will find many schools practising sanda; however, at Shaolin Temple it is not an addition or new concept added to Shaolin Temple, it is just another part of our training — but we train the skills for real combat and not for sport.

Many people are not aware that sanda has three types. The first is for the general populace, like self-defence; the second is the sport that many recognise as sanda; and the third is for the military and real combat, designed for the battlefield. We train for [the latter] usage and not sport, which is why you do not see the monks engaging in bouts outside of the temple.

For me and the monks, the traditional kung fu practice is where the skills of combat can be found and that sparring or combat with single or multiple partners is an essential practice we engage in.

I understand there are more than 300 different forms or styles of kung fu at Shaolin Temple today. Why do so many different styles exist at Shaolin? Would it not make sense for the most experienced Shaolin warrior monks to refine them all into a smaller number of systems using the most effective techniques and training methods?

The Shaolin system is extensive; however, the concept you describe is exactly what the monks of Shaolin Temple have done for centuries and the culmination of this knowledge is what we see today. This is the refinement of the skills from the ancient masters that even today are still useful. In the past, our library of skills was much larger — almost double of what we have today — but a lot has been lost over time. However, what remains is considered the cream of martial arts skills, philosophy and culture.

We have to remember that Shaolin Temple is over 1500 years old and that styles like aikido, karate or taekwondo are very young in comparison. This is why in comparison to their arts Shaolin is so extensive. Please remember that our martial abilities are not just for combat; this also is why we have a very deep knowledge base to draw from. We have been researching and developing the art of combat for centuries and continue to this day.

What are your favourite kung fu styles and in which ones have you specialised?

I enjoy all that Shaolin quan [literally ‘fist’, meaning combat system] has to offer, because it is so diverse there is always something to inspire you. Although I am fortunate to have a very deep and extensive background in Shaolin quan, you find you have different favourites at different times, but at present I enjoy Da Hong quan.

How do you see Shaolin Temple’s kung fu training and the systems themselves changing in the future, if at all? With the increased focus on kung fu for performance since the Warrior Monk theatre shows became such a big part of promoting the temple, do you think this will have any overall influence?

I don’t see the training and the systems found within the temple changing, it is the people practising them that may be different. When I started at Shaolin Temple, television was but a luxury; today we [monks] have mobile phones with videos and TV shows on them. This is what will change but Shaolin itself will move with the times as it has done for its entire life.

In regards to the performance team and the shows, they are separate from daily life at the temple. It is something additional that some of the monks have the opportunity to be a part of, but it is not the main focus. It is just another way that Shaolin is able to touch the lives of people through expression of martial movements and Chan.

Although the kung fu itself is the primary tool for promoting Shaolin Temple, are there other aspects of Shaolin practice besides the arts of self-defence that you think people in modern society could most benefit from?

To slow down. We live in a fast world, which creates stress and a loss of focus, which impacts on our health, our relationships and our mental health. To calm down and to look after our health, be kind to the people in our life and to stay focused is just a small piece of a very large pie [with which] Shaolin can help people in our modern society today.

Read martial arts masters interviews

http://m.blitzmag.net/people/kungfu-taichi-qigong/623-grandmaster-shi-de-yang-a-warrior-monks-life

Próximo libro Monasterio Shaolin

Example of 1/1 and 1/2 pages in the upcoming book Shaolin Monastery for Shaolin temples/Martial arts clubs.

Ejemplo de 1/1 y 1/2 páginas en el próximo libro Monasterio Shaolin para los clubes templos Shaolin / Artes Marciales.

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¿QUÉ ES LA MEDITACIÓN?

¿QUE ES LA MEDITACIÓN?

En el Templo Shaolin la meditación es una de las prácticas más importantes ya que constituye el pilar del Budismo Chan (Zen). Los monjes diariamente se sientan en meditación siguiendo una tradición de más de mil años que busca la unión entre el hombre y la naturaleza.

“Sólo aquel que guarde su equilibrio interior logrará su equilibrio hacia afuera”.

La meditación es el término general para una variedad de técnicas destinadas a cultivar la mente, aumentar la calma, y ​​para liberarla de las preocupaciones de la vida cotidiana. Si lo llevamos al ámbito budista podemos decir que es un medio para alcanzar la iluminación y el fin de todo sufrimiento. Al calmar la mente uno puede cultivar la ecuanimidad y mantener una actitud equilibrada y constante, así como las olas pueden calmarse para revelar la tranquilidad de las profundidades, también es posible apaciguar la turbulencia de la mente y revelar su pureza y claridad natural lo que le permitirá alcanzar una mejor perspectiva del yo y la naturaleza personal.

Podemos dividir la naturaleza de la meditacion en tres partes: el desarrollo de la conciencia, la concentración profunda, y el desarrollo de una visión clara.

Desarrollo de la conciencia: En el desarrollo de la conciencia consciente uno debe concentrarse en la conciencia del cuerpo (como la respiración), la conciencia de las sensaciones (sensaciones físicas, así como sus sentimientos internos), la conciencia de la mente (como sus pensamientos), y finalmente la conciencia del dharma (que eventualmente puede conducir a la iluminación).

Concentración profunda: La concentración se irá desarrollando de forma natural a medida de que seamos más conscientes de nosotros mismos y de nuestro entorno. El enfoque y la concentración le permitirá a su mente profundizar en algún tema de su interés para analizarlo y obtener una perspectiva más significativa. Sin esta visión, la iluminación no es posible.

Desarrollar una visión clara: Podemos definir la visión clara como la sabiduría que se encuentra en el corazón de la filosofía budista. El objetivo final es lograr una visión de cambio de nuestra vida y naturaleza humana.  Para el correcto desarrollo de la visión clara debemos prestar atención a escuchar, la reflexión y la meditación.

Para finalizar podemos decir que la meditación no es simplemente cuestión de sentarse en determinada postura o respirar de una forma particular, sino que ayuda a concentrarse para adquirir un estado mental equilibrado. Si bien existen diferentes técnicas de meditación en las distintas culturas, todas comparten el principio común de cultivar la mente, de modo de no permitir que la mente controle nuestro comportamiento.

En nuestras clases de shaolin kung fu hacemos hincapié en la práctica de la meditacion ya que proporciona al practicante la llave para lograr la calma necesaria no sólo para la práctica diaria sino también para la vida cotidiana.

http://www.shaolinspain.com/que-es-la-meditacion/

MONASTERIO SHAOLIN – CUNA DEL ZEN Y EL KUNG FU

Monasterio Shaolin – La cuna del zen y el Kung fu

Ljubljana, Eslovenia, junio de 2014 – “Guardianes del Universo” ha lanzado oficialmente una campaña en Kickstarter en un esfuerzo por publicar su nuevo libro con una causa – “Monasterio Shaolin – La cuna del Zen y el Kung-fu”. La organización caritativa espera publicar el libro con los fondos recaudados, y planea usar las ganancias de las ventas de libros para financiar directamente la documentación y la reconstrucción del orfanato de Shaolin en la provincia de Henan, China, con el total apoyo del Abad Shi Yong Xin, figura religiosa del Monasterio.

“Guardianes del Universo” es una nueva organización ambiental global que emerge de Eslovenia, uniendo a los practicantes de artes marciales y amantes de la naturaleza de todo el mundo en la búsqueda de ayudar a los niños y preservar los hábitats naturales.

El libro fotográfico es el tercero de su tipo y ofrece una mirada exclusiva en el mundo interior del Monasterio Shaolin, revelando sus antiguos ritos y misterios.  El fundador “Guardianes del Universo”, fotógrafo y autor, Bogdan Kladnik, explica: “El núcleo de la organización se basa en una fuerte creencia de que los niños y la naturaleza son la base misma de nuestra existencia en el futuro.” A través de su filosofía, Bogdan ha creado una alianza entre los artistas marciales de diferentes estilos de todo el mundo para trabajar juntos bajo una sola causa, la reconstrucción de un orfanato en la cuna de las artes marciales.

Guardianes del Universo está formado por más de 50 Maestros de diferentes artes marciales, artistas y profesionales de otras áreas comprometidos con el medio ambiente y los niños.

Dentro de los 50 Maestros se encuentra nuestro Maestro español Bruno Tombolato, uno de los expertos en el kung fu shaolin, su historia y cultura de España. El Maestro Bruno Tombolato y su centro Shaolin Cultural Center Spain, que pertenece a la Asociación Europea de Shaolin, única organización oficial del mismo Templo que rige en Europa, se ha comprometido desde un primer momento en el apoyo mediático y económico del proyecto.

Con los beneficios de la publicación de “Monasterio Shaolin – La cuna del Zen y el Kung-fu” la Organización Mundial del Medio Ambiente tiene previsto reconstruir el Orfanato del Templo Shaolin.

Para aprender más sobre libros con una causa y el proyecto KickStarter, por favor visite: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1814475327/shaolin-monastery

Si usted desea recibir más información de Guardianes del Universo o imágenes en alta resolución para fines de promoción, por favor póngase en contacto con Bogdan Kladnik en: bogdan@guardians-of-universe.org

   

http://www.shaolinspain.com/monasterio-shaolin-cuna-del-zen-y-el-kung-fu/

Resultados 1º Campeonato Nacional de kung fu y Tai chi Corpus Toledo

El Domingo 08 de Junio de 2014 tuvo lugar en Toledo en 1º Campeonato Nacional de kung fu y Tai chi Corpus Toledo

La Escuela Shaolin Cultura Center Spain competio con doce participantes de los cuales cuatro fueron de la Sede de Granada en las modalidades de mano vacia y armas.

El campeonato se desarrollo en un ambiente muy cordial y deportivo y participaron muchas escuelas de puntos muy diferentes de la geografia Española con un gran nivel de sus competidores.

La Escuela Shaolin  Cultural Center Spain logro una buena posicion y obtuvo una gran medallero :
- 4 Medallas de Oro
- 2 Medallas de Plata
- 3 Medallas de Bronce

Felicitar a la organiacion y a todas las Escuelas que participaron por permitir que este evento fuese posible y que se desarrollara de una forma tan grata.

Felicitar tambien a todos los competidores por darlo todo en el Tapiz y por su espiritu de competicion.

Agradecer a todo el publico que estuvo animando y apoyando en todo momento el evento.

Mi enhorabuena a los alumnos de la Escuela Shaolin Cultural Temple que estuvieron magnificos y año tras año y evento tras evento sigue cosechando exitos.

Y por ultimo manisfestar mi orgullo a los alumnos de Shaolin Cultural Temple Granada que en su primera competicion hayan demostrado tanta raza y tanto nivel tecnico logrando :

- Irene  : Una medalla de oro en categoria femenina armas

- Irene : Una medalla de Bronce en categoria femenina mano vacia

- Daniel : Una medalla de Bronce en categoria masculina mano vacia

y aunque Jesus y David no lograron podium consiguiron dos 4º puestos y una puntuacion muy alta .

Muchas gracias a todos por vuestro esfuerzo y a seguir en esa linea

Medallero y Placa de agradecimiento por participar

Representacion de la Escuela Shaolin Cultural Center Spain

Gran Maestro Shaolin Shi De Yang en la revista Cinturón Negro del mes de junio de 2014.

Ya salió publicada la nueva entrevista al Gran Maestro Shaolin Shi De Yang en la revista Cinturón Negro del mes de junio de 2014.

El maestro Bruno Tombolato entrevista al Gran Maestro Shi Deyang y da las claves sobre lo que debe ser un autentico monje Shaolin.

http://issuu.com/budoweb/docs/revista_artes_marciales_cinturon_ne_27e2714fde5dda

I Campeonato Nacional de Kung fu y Tai chi Toledo 8 de junio

La Escuela Shaolin Cultural Center Granada presentara a 4 competidores.

Toledo acoge este domingo, día 8 de junio, el I Campeonato Nacional de Kung fu y Tai chi con motivo de las fiestas del Corpus Christi y que recibirá a unos 200 competidores de artes marciales chinas de todas las comunidades autónomas de la geografía española, asistiendo 14 de los centros más prestigiosos de Kung fu y Tai chi existentes en España, todos ellos, escuelas miembros de la Asociación Hispano-China de Wush

   Esta cita está promovido por la Concejalía de Deportes del Ayuntamiento de Toledo y su Patronato Deportivo de Toledo, junto a la Escuela de Kung fu 'Hong Kun Toledo', tal y como ha informado en nota de prensa el Ayuntamiento de Toledo.

   Por wushu se entienden todas las disciplinas inmersas dentro de las artes marciales chinas, como son el Kung fu, en sus vertientes tradicional y deportiva, y otras prácticas, como el Tai chi, con un gran bagaje de armas y modalidades.

   Por su parte, la Asociación Hispano-China de Wushu es un proyecto organizado y dirigido por la Escuela de Kung fu 'Hong Kun Toledo" que imparte clases de gimnasia china Mulan para mujeres y Kung fu, desde hace unos años, en el Patronato Deportivo Municipal de Toledo.

   Este proyecto, iniciado por la maestra china Bai Di y el profesor Daniel Martín, directores de dicha escuela, que cuenta con la participación de 21 centros de todos los rincones del país, en un intento de unir las escuelas españolas de artes marciales chinas que enseñan estilos de Kung fu oficiales y reconocidos por China, uniendo deportistas de diversas federaciones y profesores de prestigio internacional de China afincados en España.

PABELLÓN MUNICIPAL

   El Campeonato se celebrará este domingo en el pabellón municipal 'Javier Lozano Cid', en el complejo deportivo Salto del Caballo, en horario de 9.00 a 14.00 horas. Se incluirán categorías de todos los estilos tradicionales de Kung fu, con y sin armas, categorías de wushu contemporáneo, con ejercicios de dificultad y acrobacias, y categorías de Tai chi, también con y sin armas.

   Podrán verse competidores de todas las edades desde los 6 a más de 50 años, siendo el Kung fu y Tai chi artes marciales que educan en valores y promueven el desarrollo corporal de cada uno partiendo de su propia condición física hacia la mejora individual del cuerpo y mente.

   El evento tiene confirmada, entre otros, la asistencia del concejal de Deportes de Toledo, Alfonso Martín Alonso, siendo éste un evento que se continúe anualmente en próximas ediciones.

http://eldiadigital.es/not/103472/200_competidores_de_artes_marciales_participan_este_domingo_en_toledo_/

Taiji Chen con los Maestros Chen Ziquiang y Shi Xing Hui

Durante los dias 27 y 28 de Mayo el Maestro Chen Ziquiang XX Generacion de Taiji Chen, hijo del Gran Maestro Chen Xiaoxing y sobrino del Gran Maestro Chen Xiaowang ( Maximo exponente de Taiji Chen ), visito a su compañero y amigo el Maestro Qihui Zhu ( Shi Xing Hui ) en su Centro de Cultura Tradicional Shaolin en Valencia ya que el Maestro Zhu es discipulo del Gran Maestro Chen Xiaoxing.

El Maestro Zhu amablemente invito a Manuel Sanchez para compartir y aprender de este Maestro sus grandes conocimientos sobre el arte que se ha ido trasmitiendo de generacion en generacion durante 20 Generaciones.

Se trabajaron los aspectos basicos del sistema como el Chan si gong ( Enrollar el hilo de seda ) y Zhang zhuang ( Clavarse como una estaca ) asi como un trabajo muy menucioso y estructurado de la forma de 19 movimientos de Taiji Chen. Tambien se estudiaron algunas tecnicas de aplicacion marcial de la forma.

El Maestro Chen Ziquiang hizo una demostracion de la forma Taiji Chen Pao Chui en la que dejo claro su alto nivel y comprension de este arte.

Esperamos poder disfrutar de su compañia y enseñanzas en proximos eventos.

Dar las gracias al Maestro Zhu por permitirnos compartir estos maravillosos momentos con ellos y recordar que los dias 05 y 06 de Julio el Maestro Zhu estara en Granada impartiendo un curso sobre Taiji Chen y Shaolin Qigong, una gran oportunidad para aprender y estudiar el autentico Taiji Chen de linaje .