Illustration: Liu Xiangya/GT

The Shaolin Temple, nestled in the Songshan mountain range of Central China's Henan Province, is renowned not only as a sacred site of Zen Buddhism but also as the birthplace of the renowned Shaolin kung fu. Now, the temple is constructing a museum dedicated to promoting Shaolin culture.

The temple, which dates back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), was first established in 495 by Emperor Xiaowen to accommodate the Indian monk Batuo. 

The temple was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage site in 2006. In 2010, a portion of the buildings at the temple were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This initiative of constructing a ­dedicated museum comes at a time when the Shaolin Temple's current facilities are coming under strain from increasing demand.

"The existing facilities at the Shaolin Temple are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of martial arts performances, academic research, and manuscript preservation; they have exceeded the temple's capacity," said Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, during a recent interview with reporters.

According to Shi, they are establishing the Shaolin Temple Museum in order to better protect and showcase these invaluable cultural heritages. 

"It will not only serve as a central display of Shaolin culture but also act as a bridge connecting the past with the future," Shi said.

Set to open in the first half of 2025, the museum will occupy 2,300 square meters and span three floors, each dedicated to different facets of Shaolin heritage. 

The ground floor will offer immersive experiences related to the monk Bodhidharma and Zen Buddhism, while the second floor will provide a comprehensive overview of Shaolin history and culture through detailed historical records, artifacts, and digital displays. 

The top floor will showcase an extensive collection of Shaolin art and cultural treasures, including inscriptions, sculptures, murals, architecture, paintings, and calligraphy works.

Utilizing new technological display methods and innovative exhibition concepts, the museum aims to become a major platform for highlighting the appeal of ­Chinese culture, promoting Shaolin culture worldwide and cultural exchanges between China and the world, said Tian Kai, the executive deputy director of the Shaolin Temple Museum preparatory committee.

The construction of the museum is just one part of the temple's efforts to promote Shaolin culture. More than 200 Shaolin Cultural Centers have been set up globally, offering courses on kung fu, wellness, and Chinese culture, significantly expanding its international presence and influence.

It is estimated that there are about 100 million Shaolin disciples, Shaolin culture enthusiasts, and practitioners of Shaolin kung fu worldwide, among which approximately 60 million are located overseas, as reported by local media. 

Every year, the temple assesses eight kinds of practice, including preaching, chanting, and the etiquette of the disciples over the past year. The Shaolin kung fu examination, known as kaogong in Chinese, is one of these eight practices.

In September 2012, the first "European Shaolin Culture Festival" was held in Berlin, Germany, and Vienna, Austria. During the event, 443 representatives from 37 Shaolin cultural organizations across 22 European countries participated in the kung fu examination. This marked a breakthrough for overseas kung fu examinations.

In July, a total of 144 martial arts masters from 47 countries and regions competed in the finals of the 2024 Shaolin Games hosted at the Shaolin Temple, contending for the title of "2024 World Shaolin Kung Fu Star." 

Along with them were hundreds of kung fu lovers who gathered to show off their skills, share their personal journeys, and meet their peers.

After two days of fierce competition, 10 contestants from China, the US, Australia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Zambia, Peru, and other countries and regions were crowned "2024 World Shaolin Kung Fu Stars."

The international appeal of Shaolin kung fu is partly due to its portrayal in global media, noted Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration. 

Iconic figures such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan have brought kung fu into the limelight, capturing the imagination of audiences worldwide. 

Their films have showcased the dynamic and visually captivating nature of kung fu, contributing significantly to its global popularity. Beyond the cinematic influence, Shaolin kung fu embodies philosophical principles deeply rooted in Chinese culture, including elements of Buddhism. 

This philosophical depth adds an additional layer of appeal, attracting individuals interested in not only the physical aspects of martial arts but also the spiritual and mental benefits. 

Additionally, overseas Shaolin kung fu centers offer a space for international enthusiasts to practice martial arts. "In the future, to better promote Shaolin culture, new methods beyond traditional media such as film and television can be explored. This includes using new media, video games and animation to discover innovative ways of spreading the culture," added Sun.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn