Australian critics wrong, says abbot
The head of China’s Shaolin Temple has rejected claims that a center planned for Australia will be over-commercialized.
Abbot Shi Yongxin said that the temple will develop facilities for meditation, farming and the martial arts for which it is renowned at its “Australian culture center” in Shoalhaven.
Australian media said the center, to be built on 1,200 hectares of land bought by Shaolin, will include not only a temple and kung fu academy, but a hotel and a golf course, commercial activity apparently deviating from the spiritual essence of Buddhism.
“Many friends from the media were curious about how the Shaolin Temple could get so much money to build a golf course and a resort hotel. But the investment and planning for the course and hotel have nothing to do with Shaolin,” said Shi.
The land has been opened up for lease to investors wishing to build their own developments in addition to those for which Shaolin is responsible, he said.
“If entrepreneurs see business opportunities and want to build a new community of Sino-Australia cultural cooperation, as long as the Australian government, the public and the investors are willing to do it, I just say it is destiny,” he said.
Shaolin has established more than 40 culture centers around the world.
Shi claimed his motivation for the expansion is “respecting religion, culture and lifestyle ... Promoting dialogue about culture and strengthening international understanding and cooperation.”
Shi said he expects the center to open next year.
Last month, he presented a check for A$4.16 million (US$3.26 million) to Shoalhaven’s mayor, the first concrete step toward establishing Shaolin’s first center in Australia.
Built in the late 5th century, the Shaolin Temple, in central China’s Henan Province, is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and the cradle of Chinese kung fu.
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