Australian critics wrong, says abbot
Print Edition
The head of China鈥檚 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 鈥淎ustralian culture center鈥 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.
鈥淢any 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,鈥 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.
鈥淚f 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,鈥 he said.
Shaolin has established more than 40 culture centers around the world.
Shi claimed his motivation for the expansion is 鈥渞especting religion, culture and lifestyle ... Promoting dialogue about culture and strengthening international understanding and cooperation.鈥
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鈥檚 mayor, the first concrete step toward establishing Shaolin鈥檚 first center in Australia.
Built in the late 5th century, the Shaolin Temple, in central China鈥檚 Henan Province, is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and the cradle of Chinese kung fu.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
