Publish Date:2018-07-13
On July 1, 2018, Yandeng, the Founder of the United Studio of Self Defense, led 230 overseas disciples to make a pilgrimage to Shaolin Temple and received a warm welcome from the Abbot Yongxin and Shaolin monks.
At 9:00 am, 4 overseas disciples including Yandeng and others folded hands and welcomed the Great Monk Yongxin to the Mountain Gate. Flowers and fruits were offered for Buddha on the prepared counter in front of the Mountain Gate. Shaolin monks lined up to welcome the returning disciples coming from afar. 230 American disciples lined up in front of the Mountain Gate in the Shaolin Temple. The Shaolin Temple was full of Dharma joy atmosphere against the backdrop of the red banner “Welcome USSD Shaolin Pilgrimage”.
Rounded with sandalwood incense smoke nearby, the Abbot Shi Yongxin led Shi Yandeng and other disciples to offer incense and paid a respect for Patriarch Bodhidarma statue among the sounds of chanting sutras. The Abbot Shi Yongxin said in his speech: “today is a sunny day and welcome you to the Shaolin Temple. The United Studio of Self Defense aims to promote Chinese culture and has made unremitting efforts for the public health from all walks of life. USSD has become the largest Shaolin martial arts hall alliance recognized by the United States. Yandeng had led overseas disciples to pilgrimage the Shaolin Temple for many times since 1997. He also invited Shaolin warriors to the US for performance and communication, carefully translated the Shaolin martial arts Cheats and has been enthusiastic about public welfare. Yandeng contributed to the development of the Shaolin culture overseas.” “Shaolin Kongfu is the crystallization of the study by Shaolin monks of all generations, is the crystallization of oriental philosophy and culture and is also the eternal home of Shaolin disciples around the world. Welcome back home and hope you could be comfortable and peaceful in the Shaolin Temple.”
Yandeng also expressed excitedly: “Shaolin Temple is our home and we haven’t been home for some time. Today I led the US Shaolin disciples to pilgrimage, have fulfilled our long-cherished wish and thanks very much for Shaolin monks’ warm reception.”
Then students of the United Studio of Self Defense showcased Shaolin boxing, weapon routines, Kungfu pair practicing and so on, which won a round of applause from Shaolin monks and travelers at home and abroad. After that, Shaolin warriors’ Kungfu performances pushed the atmosphere to a climax. Chinese and American students communicated what they had learned and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
At the welcoming ceremony, the Abbot Yongxin presented Guanyin statue to the United Sudio of Self Defense, praised them not to forget their initial determinations, bravely and diligently promote, continue to spread Shaolin culture overseas and benefit more sentient beings.
Among the sound “Wo ai zhongguo, wo ai Shaolin” shouted together by disciples of the United Studio of Self Defense, the ceremony of “the USSD disciples’ pilgrimage” completed a success. Over the next two days, they will accept Shaolin Kungfu test and Kungfu training. Under the guidance of Shaolin monks, they will practice Kungfu and communicate culture.
The United Studio of Self Defense was founded in 1972. In 2002, the Founder Charles Mantra led delegation to Shaolin Temple to travel and study. He converted to the Abbot Shi Yongxin with dharma name “Yandeng”. For many years, entrusted by his teacher, Yandeng has been dedicated to spreading Shaolin culture. He has set up hundreds of martial arts halls across 17 states of the United States. Registered members of the martial arts halls have been over one million people. For years, Yandeng’s heart is Shaolin and the cultural exchanges with the Shaolin Temple have never been interrupted. In 2003, Yandeng invited the Abbot Shi Yongxin to go to the US to teach Shaolin culture in person and led thousands of disciples to worship and welcome the Abbot Shi Yongxin. In 2004, Yandeng led more than 300 Shaolin disciples to Shaolin Temple to pilgrimage. In 2006, he led 500 overseas Shaolin disciples to make a pilgrimage to Shaolin Temple again and accepted CCTV interview. In 2008, after learning Sichuan province suffered a great earthquake, Yandeng raised 15,000 dollars transferred to disaster areas by the Shaolin Temple. In 2011 and 2013, Yandeng led hundreds of Shaolin disciples to pilgrimage Shaolin Temple. As he said, “everyone has to find their roots and the root of the United Studio of Self Defense is in the Shaolin Temple.” (Editor: Yue Long)
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