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xiao
04-18-2006, 02:45 PM
Academy looks to begin Kung Fu Certification

DAPHNE, Ala. – The President of Russia and the President of the United States Sports Academy have a common heritage, and both have visited their roots in the past couple of months.

Vladimir Putin has a black belt in judo. The Russian chief executive visited China recently and paid a visit to the Shaolin Temple where he met The Abbot, Shi Yong Xin, leader of the Shaolin Temple Buddhists and master of Kung Fu. Kung Fu is considered to be the “mother of all martial arts.” USSA President Thomas P. Rosandich, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, met with The Abbot two months ago and is now developing a nine-part certification program to teach Kung Fu through the Academy.

The Abbot and his certified Kung Fu instructors will be appearing at the United States Sports Academy graduation at the Admiral Semmes in Mobile, Alabama 22 July to be presented with an international honorary doctorate. The Abbot traveled to Hollywood in April to produce a nine-part television documentary on Shaolin Kung Fu.

Shaolin Kung-Fu refers to the traditional cultural system that has been formed in the particular Buddhist cultural environment in the Shaolin Temple over its long history. Shaolin Kung-Fu boasts a history of more than 1,500 years. It is based on a belief in the supernatural power of Buddhism and fully reflects the wisdom of Chan Buddhism. The martial arts practiced by the monks in the Shaolin Temple are its major form of _expression. It is a system of skills and knowledge which is transmitted from its masters to it acolytes in a strict and systematic manner.

Shaolin Kung-Fu is the centuries-long result of the Shaolin monks’ efforts to create a practical martial arts system closely integrated with the study of Buddhism and Chan Buddhism in particular. The result is a huge and well-developed technical system as opposed to the many “schools” or “boxing styles” of other martial arts forms. The Chinese martial arts are complex in structure and rich in many schools, and even sects, but according to historical records, Shaolin Kung-Fu is that preeminent sect that boasts a long history, and a complete spiritual, physical and intellectual system, which is accompanied by the mastery of many complex and difficult skills.

Shaolin Kung Fu has a cultural meaning that transcends combative martial arts. It is characterized by a belief in supernatural power and the pursuit thereof. The ability to control the body with the mind extends beyond physical self-defense and combat. A public demonstration of Kung Fu by the Abbot is being planned for graduation week.
Ok I really don' twant to miss his demonstration :D

There are three principles of Kung Fu: meditation, Chinese medicine and combative drills.

“The monks can do a hand stand on one finger,” Rosandich said. Another demonstration the USSA president witnessed was of a monk balancing on swords without piercing the skin. :rolleyes:

Buddhists monks follow the purist of principles. The five principles of Shaolin are: Do not kill any animal or fish (all monks are vegetarian :eek: ); Do not steal; Practice celibacy; Do not lie; and Do not drink alcohol. These principles are instilled in them at an early age :rolleyes: , as most are selected for this type of service at age 3 or 5.



The Kung Fu certification program developed by the Academy will not be the first of its kind for the Academy. The leaders of Tae Kwon Do in Korea and Judo leaders in Japan have asked the Academy to develop certification programs for their martial arts as well. Do I smell some $$$$$ ?



The United States Sports Academy, “America’s Sport University,” is an independent, nonprofit institution that offers sport-specific programs to students, teachers, and administrators around the world. The Academy has a special mission to serve the sports industry as a resource in instruction, research, and other vital sports-related services. It is the only freestanding institution of higher learning in the United States offering bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in Sport Science and Sport Management, in addition to its extensive certification programs.

GeneChing
04-18-2006, 04:06 PM
I got this 'press release' in my email today too. I debated posting it, but decided to just file it for now, because it was so odd. Does anyone know anything about the United States Sports Academy? Here's their website: http://www.ussa.edu. It's the first I've heard of them.

xiao
04-19-2006, 06:03 AM
Hey Gene,

No idea about that Academy but don't we all become a bit tired of that kind of bull**** ? It doesn't matter how much they (and we) are talking about it. If nobody practise, the little (original:rolleyes: ) stuff that is still around will disappear anyway..

GeneChing
04-19-2006, 09:24 AM
Never! Shaolin BS has been going on for several centuries. If you have an issue with it, you should study another style. Maybe MMA is more towards your liking. :p

Seriously, I thought things were getting a little boring around Shaolin lately and have been waiting for some good controversies to stir the pot. To be honest, it's one of the things I enjoy about Shaolin. It keeps you on your toes. No resting on 1500 years of laurel leaves. The old stuff won't disappear as long as you and I (and hopefully a few others) are practicing it. You are practicing the old stuff, right? So no worries. Have no fear.

What I find really interesting about this is: The Kung Fu certification program developed by the Academy will not be the first of its kind for the Academy. The leaders of Tae Kwon Do in Korea and Judo leaders in Japan have asked the Academy to develop certification programs for their martial arts as well.
First of all, aren't there already formal certification programs for TKD and Judo? I also find clumping kung fu with the two Olympic martial arts very interesting. This is why I'm curious about who this academy is.

There have been many attempts to formalize academic certification on the MA and PhD level for martial arts and they'll all come out kind of odd. Of course, academic degrees exists in PRC. I'm not sure that it's viable in the west. In PRC, with such a degree, you can get a job. In the west, why would such a degree be of any more value than the kind og certifications that are passed down already today? I can't imagine that such a degree would have any weight anywhere beyond the institution that issued it. So whatever kung fu program might be established at USSA, I highly doubt it will have much of an effect on our practice at all. TaeBo had a greater impact than this probably will.

Is anyone else tripping on the acronym? USSA reminds me so much of USSD. Maybe the Abbot has a thing for USS*? Maybe I should start a new org - USSG - and get some 'official' Shaolin endorsement? ;)

GeneChing
09-15-2006, 11:57 AM
Abbot Shi Yongxin Receives Honorary Doctorate, Hosts Kung Fu Seminar at the Academy (http://www.ussa.edu/ussanet/tempShaolin.asp)

Abbot Shi Yongxin will receive an International Honorary Doctorate from the United States Sports Academy for leading a rebirth of Shaolin Kung Fu throughout the world and for his contributions to sports and culture. The Abbot and the Academy are developing a 10-part certification program to teach Kung Fu.

The Abbot will also host a Kung Fu Seminar with 10 of the best Kung Fu disciples in the world.

The public is invited to attend all events below free of charge. Please call (251) 626-3303 to reserve a seat.

Kung Fu students will earn a certificate by participating in the Kung Fu Seminar (2 CEUs) for $50. Click here to register.

Cultural Event - Rick Rush Art Show honoring Abbot Shi Yongxin
When: 9 November 2006 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Where: Academy Campus

Abbot Shi Yongxin International Honorary Doctorate Presentation and Kung Fu Demonstration
When:10 November 2006 10:00 AM-Noon
Where: Academy Campus

Kung Fu Seminar and Demonstration
When:11 November 2006 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Where: Daphne Civic Center
Steve Demasco, an Academy national faculty member, is the master of ceremonies.

While you're at it, check out USSA's artist Charles Billich and his Shaolin series (http://www.billich.com.au/thumbnail.asp?subcategoryid=28). Just glancing at those prices, I know I'm in the wrong freaking business when it comes to Shaolin.

GeneChing
10-20-2006, 11:08 AM
Apparently, because the Abbot was part of a Chinese delegation, there was some security issue with the seminars, so they have been cancelled.