Op108wc
03-23-2006, 08:34 PM
Russian president Vladimir Putin has paid a visit to Shaolin Temple in central China's Henan province for a taste of Chinese Kong Fu.
Arriving on Wednesday afternoon, Putin was the first Russian head of state to visit Shaolin temple, the cradle of Chinese martial arts in history.
With the red carpet, grand ceremony was held to welcome the distinguished guest coming from afar. Nine pairs of monks in yellow robes standing along either side of the temple's gate holding up streamers, Shi Yongxin, Abbot of Shaolin Temple stepped forward to greet President Putin.
"The deafening sound of bells and drums is usually the most courteous reception for guest in Shaolin Temple, " said Abbot Shi.
In front of a stone tablet engraved with the legend that 13 Shaolin monks with unique stick skills rescued Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty, Shi explained that the emperor granted 40 qing (a traditional unit of area and equivalent to 6.667 hectares) of land to Shaolin Temple right after he succeeded the throne.
"It was the most prosperous period for Shaolin Temple, " said Abbot Shi.
"Yes, I am quite familiar with that period of history," nodded Putin.
When the two walked in front of another stone tablet, Abbot Shi pointed at a tortoise-shaped sacred beast and said that it was the son of dragon, and was here especially for carrying the tablet.
"I was born in the year of dragon," said Putin with a smile.
Accompanied by Abbot Shi, President Putin came to a chamber where monks practiced marital arts. When Abbot Shi told Putin that a monk named Shi Yanzhou could protect himself with qigong (a system of deep breathing exercises), Putin, a judo black belt couldn't help beating on Shi's chest with his fist and touched his shoulder to show his praise.
Apart from Shaolin Kong Fu, Putin also showed great interest in the daily life of monks by keeping asking questions such as 'are there any female monks in the temple?' 'are the monks who practiced martial arts also vegetarian like other monks?' and 'how long did monks here practise martial arts', etc.
As Abbot Shi invited Putin to a living chamber that had always been off limit to others, a mysterious scene presented itself before their eyes: 40 monks were sitting down cross-legged with eyes closed in meditation.
The explanation by Abbot Shi in simple language has helped Putin better understand the reason of sitting in meditation. While listening, Putin nodded repeatedly.
President Putin watched the demonstration of Shaolin Kong Fu by monks in the open space in front of Abbot's room, and applauded warmly after each performance.
Putin was very pleased when abbot Shi presented him a set of "the secrets of Shaolin Kong Fu".
"May I show the books to my daughters? They will be very happy to read the books I think," he said.
Upon his departure from Shaolin Temple, Putin said that he was a "super fan" of Chinese martial arts. When asked whether he would show off Chinese Kong Fu to his daughters,
"They are practising it themselves," answered Putin repeatedly and proudly.
When bidding farewell to President Putin, Abbot Shi invited Putin to come again at his earliest convenience.
"I will, and thanks for showing me the genuine Chinese Kong Fu," said Putin.
By People's Daily Online
Arriving on Wednesday afternoon, Putin was the first Russian head of state to visit Shaolin temple, the cradle of Chinese martial arts in history.
With the red carpet, grand ceremony was held to welcome the distinguished guest coming from afar. Nine pairs of monks in yellow robes standing along either side of the temple's gate holding up streamers, Shi Yongxin, Abbot of Shaolin Temple stepped forward to greet President Putin.
"The deafening sound of bells and drums is usually the most courteous reception for guest in Shaolin Temple, " said Abbot Shi.
In front of a stone tablet engraved with the legend that 13 Shaolin monks with unique stick skills rescued Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty, Shi explained that the emperor granted 40 qing (a traditional unit of area and equivalent to 6.667 hectares) of land to Shaolin Temple right after he succeeded the throne.
"It was the most prosperous period for Shaolin Temple, " said Abbot Shi.
"Yes, I am quite familiar with that period of history," nodded Putin.
When the two walked in front of another stone tablet, Abbot Shi pointed at a tortoise-shaped sacred beast and said that it was the son of dragon, and was here especially for carrying the tablet.
"I was born in the year of dragon," said Putin with a smile.
Accompanied by Abbot Shi, President Putin came to a chamber where monks practiced marital arts. When Abbot Shi told Putin that a monk named Shi Yanzhou could protect himself with qigong (a system of deep breathing exercises), Putin, a judo black belt couldn't help beating on Shi's chest with his fist and touched his shoulder to show his praise.
Apart from Shaolin Kong Fu, Putin also showed great interest in the daily life of monks by keeping asking questions such as 'are there any female monks in the temple?' 'are the monks who practiced martial arts also vegetarian like other monks?' and 'how long did monks here practise martial arts', etc.
As Abbot Shi invited Putin to a living chamber that had always been off limit to others, a mysterious scene presented itself before their eyes: 40 monks were sitting down cross-legged with eyes closed in meditation.
The explanation by Abbot Shi in simple language has helped Putin better understand the reason of sitting in meditation. While listening, Putin nodded repeatedly.
President Putin watched the demonstration of Shaolin Kong Fu by monks in the open space in front of Abbot's room, and applauded warmly after each performance.
Putin was very pleased when abbot Shi presented him a set of "the secrets of Shaolin Kong Fu".
"May I show the books to my daughters? They will be very happy to read the books I think," he said.
Upon his departure from Shaolin Temple, Putin said that he was a "super fan" of Chinese martial arts. When asked whether he would show off Chinese Kong Fu to his daughters,
"They are practising it themselves," answered Putin repeatedly and proudly.
When bidding farewell to President Putin, Abbot Shi invited Putin to come again at his earliest convenience.
"I will, and thanks for showing me the genuine Chinese Kong Fu," said Putin.
By People's Daily Online