Shaolin: Temple of Zen: Photographs by Justin Guariglia

[GeneChing]

Check out this new book coming from Aperture:
Shaolin: Temple of Zen (http://www.aperture.org/store/books-preview-bio.aspx?ID=590)
Photographs by Justin Guariglia
Essay by Matthew Polly (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26966)

Justin contributed the cover photo for our newest Shaolin Special, our Nov/Dec 2007 (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48258). We'll have more to come on this very soon. ;)

[Bruce W Sims]

Thanks, Gene:

How does this compare to what the Buddhists in Rangoon are doing tonight?

Thoughts?

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[GeneChing]

It probably deserves it's own thread.

[Bruce W Sims]

Sorry, Gene. I certainly did not mean to throw cold water on a topic or incur "thread drift". My only concern is that I sometimes get the feeling that terms such as "Shaolin", "Buddhism" and "monks" often get relegated to the level of "window dressing".

The practice of Buddhism is predicated on a great deal more than simply dressing-up in robes or wearing a mala around one's neck. Buddhist monks, whether Hinayana or Mahayana seek to guide people by their own example as provided for in such writings as the Monastic "108 Injunctions". To identify a person or oneself as a "monk" is to say that one has chosen to lead an exemplary life within a sangha or "community". The monks I mentioned currently being arrested, beaten and shot in Rangoon are living an ideal in service to their community. I think it would be tragic to allow people to imagine that the term "warrior-monk" as found in the write-up you cited automatically entails exotic postures and aerial kicking. In the Buddhist faith, oddly enough, the most "heroic action" is often electing NOT to act, but to persevere. FWIW.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[GeneChing]

You should take a closer look at this book when you get the chance. The cover has an aerial kick, granted, but it's from Shi Deyang, who is a traditional practitioner. The photographer, Justin Guariglia, went to great lengths to focus on what he considered to be authentic monks and traditional practitioners, not the performance wuseng that are featured in most of the Shaolin material you see nowadays. You should take a look at Matt's book too. These aren't window dressings. These are very intriguing looks behind the bamboo curtain, much different than what has preceded.

Clearly, the Burma situation is dire and China is a major factor. I'm surprised you didn't post any resources. Concern is reflected through action. (http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/u.php)

[Artemisalive]

Hello everyone!

We have a special treat this month - Shaolin Monk Shi De Chao is visiting from China and photographer Justin Guariglia is sharing photos from his new book Shaolin: Temple of Zen. This book was just released and is currently featured in the November/December issue of Kung Fu Magazine. The forewards to the book were written by Abbott Shi Yong Xin & Matthew Polly, author of American Shaolin.

This free three-hour event will be hosted by our good friends at Fighthouse in Chelsea (Manhattan), and the whole family is welcome. Please let everyone know.

Bring your copy of Shaolin: Temple of Zen and both Justin Guariglia and Shi De Chao (using Chinese calligraphy) will sign it for you. If you have not already purchased your copy of this wonderful book, there will be a limited number of copies available for sale on Sunday.

* Talk & Slideshow by author and fine art photographer, Justin Guariglia
* Demonstrations by Shi De Chao, including:
o Qigong
o Empty Hand Form
o Weapon Form
o Calligraphy

When: Sunday October 21, 2pm-5pm

Where: Fighthouse, 122 West 27th Street, 2nd floor (between 6th & 7th Avenues) New York, NY 10001 (212) 807-9202

Cost: Free! Bring your friends and family!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Joshua



Joshua Craig
Artemis Seminars
www.artemis-seminars.com
.................................................. .................................................. ..............................

[Artemisalive]

If you are at all interested in Shaolin or this book, it does not get better than this. Three hours of demonstrations, slideshows and talks...

Fighthouse - 122 West 27th Street, 2nd Floor...2pm.

See you tomorrow!

Joshua

[richard sloan]

unfortunately I missed Shi De Chao's visit- I would have liked to have seen him...maybe later in the week.

The book looks great, I like the mudra shots.

[GeneChing]

However, you can get a piece of him. He autographed some books, along with Justin Guariglia, which we are offering for our web sweepstakes (http://www.kungfumagazine.net/index.html) over the next two months. These came out really nice and we're very pleased to offer them. Our thanks to Justin, Dechao and all the good people at Aperture.

The sweepstakes are online now, but the contest doesn't start until Friday, so don't enter until then. ;)

[Shaolinlueb]

I still have to buy the book by Matt Prolly. I have to get this one now.

[Keboh]

How can you tell which Shaolin monks are doing real martial arts and which are wushu?

Are the people in this Album genuine?
http://www.cgcmall.com/Shaolin_Kung_Fu_p/b00shao.htm

[GeneChing]

Unfortunately, you have to sign up for the free trial to get the whole article and I didn't feel like doing that. I'm just not into web subscriptions. Here at KFM, it's all free, as long as you all keep supporting the magazine (http://www.martialartsmart.net/19341.html).

Here's the teaser, nonetheless...
Not just for kicks
A US photographer is helping Shaolin monks shed that fight-club image, writes David Momphard (http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2c913216495213d5df646910cba0a0a0/?vgnextoid=1d53b21f52f16110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCR D&vgnextfmt=teaser&s=Life)

Nov 09, 2007
Shaolin Temple, in Dengfeng, Henan, often conjures an image of a lone kung fu monk surrounded by a dozen bad guys who are about to take a beating. American photographer Justin Guariglia received a similar impression at the historic site over the eight years he researched Shaolin Temple of Zen, his recently published coffee table book, the subject of his lecture to the Asia Society at the Helena May tonight. ...

[richard sloan]

I still have to buy the book by Matt Prolly. I have to get this one now.

lueb, it was a good read and pretty funny.

[GeneChing]

You must see the Shaolin Temple of Zen microsite (http://exposures.aperture.org/shaolin/) up on Aperture's site.

[GeneChing]

Justin is now in Asia and getting a fair amount of news coverage. He just sent me a few web vid links. I'll share them here:

RTHK The Works Art Program (Hong Kong)
(REAL player) http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/tv/theworks/20071120.ram
(Windows player) http://www.rthk.org.hk/asx/rthk/tv/theworks/20071120.asx

STAR TV (ASIA)
http://www.startv.com/starnewsasia/Home,$SpecialFeatures.$DirectLink_1.sdirect?sp=a%7 BS4028d8bb1657c0d5011657e3f01a0006%7D&updateParts=videoDetails

Channel News Asia (Singapore - live)
http://video2.channelnewsasia.com/cnavideos/multiplevideos_watermark.asp?skin=player1.swf&bgskin=playerbackground.swf&filename=shaolin.flv&adfilebefore=cna%20video2.flv&adfileafter=&playmode=S

[richard sloan]

ok- first, great book.

second, I have a pet peeve.

ZEN?

I know that is how it is known in the west, but if you are dealing with the source...let's educate, let's be accurate...

[GeneChing]

...we'd call in Zhongguo. ;)

[richard sloan]

...we'd call in Zhongguo. ;)

well if you really want to have the biggest pee pee we could use characters!!!

yeah I know it's just a pet peeve...like when the tv commercial announcer says MAHTZARELLA instead of muzzarella...or when people try and speak whacky patwa...

the calibre of this book, they could have used Ch'an and gotten the point across. I like the packaging too.

[GeneChing]

The book is already running into some marketing issues. Just like Matt Polly's American Shaolin (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26966), it's getting shelved in the martial arts section where it's getting lost amongst all the MMA titles. Ch'an is not as much a fixture in the American mind as Zen. Hell, there's a liquor called Zen (http://www.zenliqueur.com/) now - it's based on green tea (and I'm dying to try it, but I'm abstaining from alcohol right now :(). Matt's book should be shelved under nonfiction or travel writing; Justin's shelved under fine photography. Those will reach a much wider audience. It's important for Shaolin to reach a wider audience. The use of the Japanese term makes it more international. It loosens the ever-present and inhibiting Chinese possessiveness of their culture.

I know Yanming is into using the term Chan so your position doesn't surprise me at all. Back when I was working on his cover story for our mag (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=99) and the simultaneous IKF one (don't ever do that, btw, it almost cost me my career), the only change Yanming made to my original drafts was the zen-to-chan one. I understand where he (and you) are coming from on this, but being a print publisher, zen is just more practical and effective. When push comes to shove, I don't really care if it's Japanese, Chinese or Jamaican for that matter (you should hear my whacky patois some day ;)). I just want what is practical and effective.

P.S. We are the only print mag that uses Chinese characters. Our pee pee is hen da!

[r.(shaolin)]

You must see the Shaolin Temple of Zen microsite (http://exposures.aperture.org/shaolin/) up on Aperture's site.

Nicely done microsite! Beautiful photos and videos.

In the video section (http://exposures.aperture.org/shaolin/) there is a set labled 'Yue Ya Cha'. The term is not exactly correct for the weapon being demonstrated. Shaolin monks used three alarmed spades in travelling: Yue Ya Cha, Fang Bian Chan and Liu Jing Dang Chan. Yue Ya Cha (月牙叉), is a kind of spade called, Crescent-Moon Fork and, Fang Bian Chan (方便鏟) which is called a Four Directions Convenient Spade. Liu Jing Dang is a 'combination' spade which was designed with Yue Ya Cha on one end and Fang Bian Chan on the other. This is the weapon demonstrated in the video. According to our tradition, this rare double end spade is unique to Shaolin Monastery and was reserved for use by the Abbot and other high ranking monks. This double ended alarm staff was considered one of the 'sacred' weapons of Shaolin and its methods guarded from outsiders. Even its name is not commonly known among traditional Chinese martial arts circles. Today's monks at Shaolin call this weapon "Lu Zhi Dang Chan". However, what has been passed down by our ancestors the name for this alarmed spade is: Liu Jing Dang Chan 流境擋鏟. Interestingly both names resemble and sound similar.

According to the oral tradition the PRC Shaolin monks received, the name "Lu Zhi Dang Chan", comes from Lu Zhi Shen, the name of the monk that allegidly created this weapon; 'Dang – 鐺' meaning clang or the sound of metal colliding; and, 'Chan – 鏟' meaning spade. In our tradition the name 'Liu Jing Dang Chan' means something different: 'Liu 流' – moving place to place; 'Jing 境' – boarder; 'Dang 擋' – block the road, get in the way; and 'Chan 鏟' – shovel.

I find the movements in the form demonstrated in the video to be traditional, however, placing the metal part of this double ended weapon on to the ground in the manner shown is not something one would do in a traditional set.

[David Jamieson]

green tea liquor you say G~? hmmmmmnnn. I'm not abstaining for the next week or so, I shall attempt to find this, consume it and relay back to you whether or not it is crap.

the problem is the cover. Put people with praying hands and beads on the cover bowing as they tuck their incense into some bowl or another and it will get tossed into the world religions section. :p

[r.(shaolin)]

I find the movements in the form demonstrated in the video to be traditional, however, placing the metal part of this double ended weapon on to the ground in the manner shown is not something one would do in a traditional set.

In looking at this video again it occurred to me, that although this set appears traditional, it appears to be done with the wrong weapon.
Sets done with a double ended weapon like the "Lu Zhi Dang Chan" / "Liu Jing Dang Chan" would have made more liberal use of tactics with the back end. The set being done
has only as 4. Looking at the set more carefully, I strongly suspect this set may in fact be for Fang Bian Chan which is a single ended weapon. This would explain why the weapon is placed on the ground as it is.
r.

[MasterKiller]

In looking at this video again it occurred to me, that although this set appears traditional, it maybe being done with the wrong weapon.
Sets with a double end weapon like the "Lu Zhi Dang Chan" / "Liu Jing Dang Chan" would have made more liberal use of tactics with the back end. The set being done
has only as 5. Looking at the set more carefully, I strongly suspect this set many in fact be for Fang Bian Chan which is a single ended weapon. This would explain why the weapon is place on the ground as it is.
r.

That form is identical to the form on Shi De Yang's video cd "Shaolin Convenience Spade".

[GeneChing]

I expect to see all SoCal KFMers in the house. :cool:

02-02-2008 (56 days)
Shaolin Temple of Zen (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/news/index.php?month=02&year=2008)
Photographs by Justin Guariglia FEB 2-MAR 29 Otis College of Art and Design. FEB 2: Public Reception with special kung fu and calligraphy demonstration by Shaolin Monk Shi De Chao from Henan, China, followed by a book signing. FEB 4: Conversation with photographer Justin Guariglia of National Geographic Traveler; Gene Ching, Associate Publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine; and Craig Reid, martial arts film historian, fight choreographer and martial artist. FEB 25: Cultural Representation in the Media - A panel discussion with Felix Guiteirrez, Lena Chao-Young, Clint C. Wilson II and leg by Otis Director of Art History Parme Guitini. FEB 29 Film Screening - Double feature introduced by Craig Reid: 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) and Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1983).
For more information, contact: Otis College of Art and Design, Ben Maltz Gallery
Phone: 310-665-6905
Event Address: 9046 Lincoln Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA, 90045 USA
Online: galleryinfo@otis.edu - www.otis.edu/benmaltzgallery

[Blacktiger]

What a great book - my better half had the great inspiration to get this for me for my birthday. After going to Shaolin for the first time late last year this is just what the doctor ordered as most of my shots dont even come close to capturing the vibe of the place.

:D

[LFJ]

You should take a closer look at this book when you get the chance. The cover has an aerial kick, granted, but it's from Shi Deyang, who is a traditional practitioner.[/URL]

and from a traditional form. its the datongbi style of the southern yard. if you look at how his hands are you can imagine how it lands. right fist smashing into the left palm. familiar move? this one just has a jumping split, but its in the traditional form.

on the zen or chan issue-

i agree with fa, because its not just about the word or language its in. zen and chan carry with them implications of separate cultures and practices. zen in japanese traditions is not chinese chan, in that respect. chan is its spiritual parent. zen is a separate evolution with its own distinctly different style. therefore, to say shaolin is a temple of zen would be incorrect.

[GeneChing]

Did you even enter? :rolleyes:

Our Shaolin Temple of Zen sweepstakes winners are announced. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=831222)

[richard sloan]

Ch'an is not as much a fixture in the American mind as Zen.

well...since we're in the fam, it's kinda up to us to be the gatekeepers...no? I mean, like LFJ said...Zen definitely carries with it a lot of contextualization and it's a loaded term here as you point out.

I took another look through the book...I really like those mudra shots a lot!!

and I like the way the book was put together. I'm sorry I missed the dinner when they were around...

I'm surprised nobody is *****ing about them wearing their watches, lol...

[GeneChing]

It's the Passage to China: 6th Annual Photo Issue. Justin did the cover photo and is profiled in the One on One section. The video of that interview is online here (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4341&d=1199908487).

[GeneChing]

The microsite for the upcoming Otis Gallery is online now (http://www.otis.edu/index.php?id=236). Hope to see some of you there on the day after Superbowl Sunday!

[GeneChing]

I'm leaving for L.A. this weekend for the Otis event. I hope to see plenty of KFMers there on Monday night. It should be good fun.

[GeneChing]

...but no one from KFM showed. :(

One of my old classmates showed. So did James Kyson Lee, who plays Ando on Heroes, but that was the opening night and I missed that. Missed Dechao too - he was only in L.A. for a day - but he gifted me an extraordinary bamboo carving. That was very generous.

If you're anywhere near L.A. you must see the installation at the Ben Maltz Gallery (http://www.otis.edu/index.php?id=236). I remember when I first met Justin in 2005. He had found me and wanted to show me what he was working on. It was phenomenal then, even in it's rough form. Now to see it all come together in this gallery - to see Justin's vision actualized - was a genuinely remarkable experience. I also had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Craig Reid face-to-face for the first time. I've worked with Craig for 8 years now, so it was delightful to finally meet him in the flesh, thanks to Justin.

The installation will be up until March 29th - don't miss it!

[GeneChing]

There will be an east coast exhibit too, scheduled for June 11, 2008 - Sept 11, 2008 at The National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C.

Kung fu's spiritual side (http://www.calendarlive.com/galleriesandmuseums/cl-et-shaolin13feb13,0,3664571.story)
Photos give rare glimpse inside China's Shaolin Temple.
By Diane Haithman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

NEVER call the practice of classical Shaolin kung fu a "performance," says American photographer Justin Guariglia, whose new book, "Shaolin: Temple of Zen," takes the reader into the cloistered world of the monks who uphold the tradition in China's 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple.

The correct term, says Guariglia, is "demonstration."

"The monks are not entertainers," says the 33-year-old photographer, who spent five years building the trust of the monks to gain access to their life inside the monastery.

Photos from the book, published by Aperture in October, are featured in a traveling exhibition, on display at the Ben Maltz Gallery at Otis College of Art and Design through March 29.

"When the media shows up, they want to be entertained," Guariglia continued in a recent conversation at Otis College, joined by Shaolin monk Shi De Chao, who had flown in from China to demonstrate -- not perform -- kung fu at the gallery recently. "They are overwhelmed and bombarded. A lot of people want to exploit them."

Most pilgrims to the Shaolin Temple, Guariglia says, come looking for the drama of kung fu as seen in movies starring Jackie Chan or Jet Li, or the flying fight scenes of Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Jet Li's skill, Guariglia explains, is actually the modern competitive martial art wushu, not traditional Shaolin kung fu.

The "warrior monks" don't fight, Guariglia says. "They did 100 years ago, but there's no warlords running China anymore. If you ask a monk why he practices kung fu, he'll say that kung fu is a vehicle for Zen, meaning it's a form of meditation."

Guariglia's exhibition, which includes stills from the book as well as videos, captures the active and the contemplative sides of the monks' existence, mixing serene black-and-white portraits with vibrant color shots of the monks executing kicks, poses, jumps and spins, practiced out of view to visitors.

The photographer also turns his lens on the tourist's effect on the peaceful surroundings, including a gaggle of visitors paying for a look through binoculars at a stone statue of the founder of Zen Buddhism, Bodhidharma. Another shot shows cartons and plastic bottles strewn outside.

Guariglia's wife, visual artist Zoe Chen, 33, contributed to the project by creating assemblages of photographs of the monks in practice. Formerly a fashion designer for Issey Miyake in Tokyo, Chen has created designs that often involve intricate knit patterns that seem reflected in the photo assemblages.

As explained in the book in an essay by scholar Matthew Polly, an Indian Buddhist missionary named Damo -- Bodhidharma in Sanskrit -- brought to the temple the idea that the key to enlightenment was "not merit (i.e., good works) but a dawn-to-dusk practice of sitting meditation."

Problem was, sitting meditation also resulted in some very flabby monks, so Damo introduced a series of calisthenic exercises much like yoga. The practice, Polly writes, "introduced the idea that action could also be spiritual."

To protect the real monks' practice from exploitation, Guariglia says, Shih Yong Xin, abbot of the Shaolin Temple, often calls upon students from the many nearby martial arts schools to provide a show for the tourists. "The kids dress up as monks and give performances; not many people see anything beyond that," he says.

Though a few schools are run by monks, most are led by folk masters. And, Guariglia adds, "most of the kids have no Zen training at all; they are not trained in Buddhism. At the temple, you have monks that only pray and monks who do kung fu, and some do both -- but all are trained in Buddhism."

It is perhaps telling that, at his gallery demonstration, De Chao spent more time on the meditative than the martial aspects of his practice.

De Chao briefly exhibited his skill at wielding the "monk's spade" or "Bodhidharma spade" -- a pole with two curved blades of hardened steel flashing wickedly on each end. "You might want to stand back," suggested Guariglia with a grin.

But then the massive monk took an unexpectedly passive stance: In the next portion of the presentation, the martial arts master allowed inexperienced visitors to hit him, inviting 18 randomly selected onlookers to make three selfless wishes, then slap the back of his hand as hard as they liked.

As with most actions of a Shaolin monk, there was a spiritual purpose: To channel the qi, or energy, of those who would strike him into a work of calligraphy, another aspect of De Chao's practice.

The blows included the hesitant tap of a preschool child and ringing slaps from strong adults. Through it all, De Chao stood like a stone. Then, still smiling, he crouched and slammed the back of his thick-wristed hand against the gallery's polished concrete floor, a harder strike than any that had been wielded against him by the others. De Chao says that, by hitting the floor, he "is gathering energy from everyone on Earth, and all of their wishes are being transmitted through the brush . . . to be preserved in the calligraphic painting forever."

With the collective qi gained from both, De Chao was ready to set to work on two 4-by-6-foot sheets of white paper, weighted to the floor with smooth river rocks. With large brushes dipped in pots of black ink, he fills one white sheet with the Chinese character "Fo," for Buddha, and the other with "wu," for martial arts.

To the question of how he chooses the characters, De Chao responds through translation from Mandarin by Guariglia: "It comes from my heart."

De Chao and Guariglia both laugh as they note that the three days Guariglia spent as De Chao's kung fu disciple were a dismal failure, but De Chao says -- this time with Chen as the interpreter -- that he believes fate led Guariglia to the Shaolin Temple.

"Everyone has their own kung fu, and his is photography," De Chao says, the heavy prayer beads around his wrist clacking softly as he fingers them. "The photographs show his spiritual side."

diane.haithman@latimes.com

'Shaolin: Temple of Zen'
Where: Ben Maltz Gallery, Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays

Ends: March 29

Price: Free

Contact: (310) 655-6905

[shadowlin]

...but no one from KFM showed. :(

One of my old classmates showed. So did James Kyson Lee, who plays Ando on Heroes, but that was the opening night and I missed that. Missed Dechao too - he was only in L.A. for a day - but he gifted me an extraordinary bamboo carving. That was very generous.

If you're anywhere near L.A. you must see the installation at the Ben Maltz Gallery (http://www.otis.edu/index.php?id=236). I remember when I first met Justin in 2005. He had found me and wanted to show me what he was working on. It was phenomenal then, even in it's rough form. Now to see it all come together in this gallery - to see Justin's vision actualized - was a genuinely remarkable experience. I also had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Craig Reid face-to-face for the first time. I've worked with Craig for 8 years now, so it was delightful to finally meet him in the flesh, thanks to Justin.

The installation will be up until March 29th - don't miss it!


what kind of work do you do for Dr. Craig?

[MasterKiller]

what kind of work do you do for Dr. Craig?

LOL! Classic.

[shadowlin]

I am not on here all the time so I am not up to speed. I know where Gene works, but I don't know what he does for Dr. Craig. Just curious is all. Happy to amuse you with my ignorance. Maybe instead of thinking it's so amusing, you wouldn't mind saying why it's so amusing? Maybe you could just answer the question since it's so obvious.

[MasterKiller]

I am not on here all the time so I am not up to speed. I know where Gene works, but I don't know what he does for Dr. Craig. Just curious is all. Happy to amuse you with my ignorance. Maybe instead of thinking it's so amusing, you wouldn't mind saying why it's so amusing? Maybe you could just answer the question since it's so obvious.

He writes a monthly article for the magazine that sponsors this board.

[shadowlin]

Thanks for your answer and thanks to Gene.

[GeneChing]

You can find Craig Reid's movie reviews here (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/TOC/index.php#R), exclusive to our e-zine and completely free.

Check this out - it's Shi Dechao at the Ben Maltz Gallery opening for Justin's exhibit. I'm sorry I missed this. I love the way he warms up for calligraphy.

spade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_NNHWN-0fw&feature=related)

brush (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ziKQdLy0E&feature=related)

[GeneChing]

And they've made these cool youtube vids of the Gallery opening. They really capture it well.

"Shaolin: Temple of Zen" Opening Night at Otis College (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWYhGIariGs)

Justin Guariglia: Shaolin: Temple of Zen (Otis College) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTFOFl_7q0E)

[LFJ]

that was pretty awesome but this guy really needs some education!

bodhidharma was not the founder of the shaolin temple (that was batuo), and didnt create gongfu- he taught some qigong sets.

counting back thirty-some generations does not end at bodhidharma, it comes to fuyu in only the song dynasty- the current lineage founder.

yin-yang is a daoist concept. buddhism is rather non-duality. but thats a whole other discussion.

[GeneChing]

After I heard his talk at the opening, I corrected him on Bodhidharma and the generation names. As for the yin yang duality, despite Buddhism's view on non-duality, I have heard many monks speak of Shaolin kung fu in yin yang terms. Yin yang theory is quite pervasive in Chinese martial arts and that bleeds over into Shaolin kung fu. Plus there's the whole precedence of Taoism to Buddhism in China, so there's overlapping terms in many sects. I didn't see that as that much of a gaff.

[LFJ]

thats why i said thats a whole other discussion. i think yin and yang are not as clear cut in buddhist thinking. it all depends and if anything they cancel each other out which brings you back to the original state of non-duality. sometimes you have to use such concepts to communicate out of convention. but its important to recognize them as mere concepts. imagine if buddhists were not allowed to use the words "i", "me", or "mine". :)

but basically, i find it somehow disappointing when someone is doing a lot of work to make shaolin known but then, doesnt even know who the founder of the temple was. his work is fascinating and much appreciated though! and i know history may not be his major, but. :rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

I've edited the redundancies out the the quoted text below:
Washington, D.C.
Shaolin: Temple of Zen (http://www.aperture.org/store/events-single.aspx?id=375)
Photographs by Justin Guariglia

Opening:
Thursday, June 12, 2008
6-7:25 p.m.
Exhibition on view:
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 — Sunday, September 07, 2008
National Geographic Society Museum
1145 17th Street NW
Washington, D.C.
(202) 857-7588

Over the past eight years, photographer Justin Guariglia won the trust of the legendary warrior monks of the Shaolin Temple, a Chinese Buddhist sect dedicated to preserving a form of kung fu referred to as the "vehicle of Zen." With the blessing of the main abbot, Shi Yong Xin, Guariglia has earned the full collaboration of the monks to create an astonishing, empathic record of the Shaolin art forms and the individuals who consider themselves the keepers of these traditions.

Washington, D.C.

Shaolin: Temple of Zen, Justin Guariglia
Artist’s Talk, Book Signing and Kung Fu Demonstration
Thursday, June 12, 2008
7:30 p.m.

Fee: Members, $15; Non members, $18
Grosvenor Auditorium
National Geographic Society
1600 M Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
(202) 857-7700

Over the past eight years, photographer Justin Guariglia won the trust of the legendary warrior monks of the Shaolin Temple, a Chinese Buddhist sect dedicated to preserving a form of kung fu referred to as the "vehicle of Zen." With the blessing of the main abbot, Shi Yong Xin, Guariglia has earned the full collaboration of the monks to create an astonishing, empathic record of the Shaolin art forms and the individuals who consider themselves the keepers of these traditions.

Coinciding with the opening of the exhibition at the National Geographic Museum, Justin Guariglia will share the spirit of his work and Shaolin monk and Zen Master Shi de Chao, who is flying to D.C. from the Shaolin Temple for this special occasion and presenting a rare kung fu demonstration. They will both available to sign copies of the book.

Washington, D.C.
Shaolin: Temple of Zen, Justin Guariglia
Film Screening: t Fleet: The Epic Voyage of Zheng He
Kung Fu Demonstration by Shaolin Monk Shi De Shao
Friday, June 13, 2008
12:00 p.m.

Free
Grosvenor Auditorium
National Geographic Society
1600 M Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
(202) 857-7700

Over the past eight years, photographer Justin Guariglia won the trust of the legendary warrior monks of the Shaolin Temple, a Chinese Buddhist sect dedicated to preserving a form of kung fu referred to as the "vehicle of Zen." With the blessing of the main abbot, Shi Yong Xin, Guariglia has earned the full collaboration of the monks to create an astonishing, empathic record of the Shaolin art forms and the individuals who consider themselves the keepers of these traditions.

Coinciding with the exhibition at the National Geographic Museum and celebrating Shaolin Monk Shi de Chao’s rare appearance in the U.S., a kung fu demonstration will follow the screening, about the great Chinese explorer, Zhen He, Ghost Fleet: The Epic Voyage of Zheng He.

Washington, D.C.
Shaolin: Temple of Zen, Justin Guariglia
Reception, Artist’s Talk, and Kung Fu Demonstration
Saturday, June 14, 2008
5:00 p.m.

Fee: $25; RSVP by mail to Donald J. Gerson, 3148 Castleleigh Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20904-1713 before June 10; for information call (240) 293-6570
DACOR Bacon House
1801 F Street, NW
Washington, D.C.

Over the past eight years, photographer Justin Guariglia won the trust of the legendary warrior monks of the Shaolin Temple, a Chinese Buddhist sect dedicated to preserving a form of kung fu referred to as the "vehicle of Zen." With the blessing of the main abbot, Shi Yong Xin, Guariglia has earned the full collaboration of the monks to create an astonishing, empathic record of the Shaolin art forms and the individuals who consider themselves the keepers of these traditions.

Coinciding with the exhibition at the National Geographic Museum and celebrating the exceptional presence of Shaolin Monk Shi de Chao, The Explorers Club is organizing a special reception where Justin Guariglia will share the spirit of his work and Shi de Chao will present a kung fu demonstration.

Washington, D.C.
Shaolin: Temple of Zen, Justin Guariglia
Film Program: “Kung Fu Cinema: Master of Shaolin”
with Dr. Craig D. Reid, martial arts historian
Saturday, June 14, 2008
1:00 p.m.

Fee: $6 per film; all-day pass $12
Grosvenor Auditorium
National Geographic Society
1600 M Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
(202) 857-7700

Over the past eight years, photographer Justin Guariglia won the trust of the legendary warrior monks of the Shaolin Temple, a Chinese Buddhist sect dedicated to preserving a form of kung fu referred to as the "vehicle of Zen." With the blessing of the main abbot, Shi Yong Xin, Guariglia has earned the full collaboration of the monks to create an astonishing, empathic record of the Shaolin art forms and the individuals who consider themselves the keepers of these traditions.

Coinciding with the exhibition at the National Geographic Museum, martial arts historian Dr. Craig D. Reid is organizing a screening of three cult classic movies on the Shaolin Temple, including in order of appearance: Shaolin Temple by Chang Cheh (1976), Executioners from Shaolin by Liu Chia Liang (1977), and The 36th Chamber of Shaolin by Lau Kar-Leung (1978).

[Tai-Lik]

Anyone coming down to the Washington/Baltimore area for the Kuoshu tournament or the Wong People Tournament, here's alittle something you can add to your sightseeing list if interested:

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MUSEUM:

Shaolin: Temple of Zen - http://www.nationalgeographic.com/museum/exhibitions/shaolin.html

There are other interesting exhibits such as "China's Forgotten Fleet
Voyages of Zheng He"

[GeneChing]

It was great to see him. He gave Gigi and me autographed copies of Planet Shanghai (http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7110/title,Planet-Shanghai/). We discussed a lot of interesting possible projects - he's headed back to China so I've got my fingers crossed that we'll see some more out of him soon.

[GeneChing]

Just got this from Justin. If you're in Shanghai, check it out!
Opening reception this SATURDAY, JULY 18!!!

Mosai|C|ity 城市拼接
Group exhibition at FELLINI Gallery
on view July 18, 2009 through August 31, 2009.

FELLINI Gallery has the great pleasure to invite
you for our new exhibition “Mosai|C|ity”, opening
on Saturday July 18th, 2009 from 5PM to 10PM
accompanied by a French wine and ****tails reception.

Time is simultaneous, an intricately structured JEWEL
that humans insist on viewing one edge at a time,
when the whole design is visible in every facet.
City is synchronized, an intricately formed MOSAICITY,
“rocking angle”, that people continually gaze at the
whole manifesto and it grows dull in our perceptions,
when every visage glows with its full glory, an inner vitality.

Mosai|C|ity, a group exhibition of internationally renowned
photographers Justin Guariglia and J Andrew Scott,
promising American artist Vincent Harkiewicz, and the winners
of the Most talented Chinese Young Artists 2008: Zi Bai,
Chen Duxi, Hou Xi and Cao Xihui. Together they explore the
past, present, and future of the CITY of the world through
different time frames. They witness and discover every aspect
and façade of the city: culture, tradition, construction vs.
deconstruction, collectivism v/s individualism, people,
immigration, environment, development, degradation and
the world embraced in a city and a city reflecting the world
via installation, painting, photography, sculpture, and video.

For more information, please contact us
at: info@fellinigallery.com or call (021)5404.7787

Mosai|C|ity 城市拼接
Group Exhibition on view July 18, 2009 through August 31, 2009
Opening 开幕式：7.18.2009 Saturday 星期六 5PM-8PM
Venue 地点：Fellini Gallery | 339 Changle lu #15 near Xiangyang lu
长乐路339弄15号
Tel.: +8621 5404.7787
www.FelliniGallery.com
info@FelliniGallery.com

[GeneChing]

I talked to Justin earlier this week. He's doing well and soon to be off on another Asia trip.
Shaolin: Temple of Zen, Photographs by Justin Guariglia
Exhibition (http://www.aperture.org/events/detail.php?id=588)

Exhibition on view: Friday, August 14, 2009 –Friday, October 9, 2009

Woodbury Art Museum
575 East University Parkway #250
Orem, Utah
(801) 863-4200

Over an eight-year period, photographer Justin Guariglia won the trust of the legendary warrior monks of the Shaolin Temple, a Chinese Buddhist sect dedicated to preserving a form of kung fu known as the "vehicle of Zen." With the blessing of the main abbot, Shi Yong Xin, Guariglia went on to earn the full collaboration of the monks to create an astonishing, empathic photographic record of the Shaolin art forms and the individuals who consider themselves the keepers of these traditions.