Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization
少林希腊文化組织

On 22 July 2016, the EPOS mission visited the Temple of Emptiness [chin .: kōng xiāng sì 空相寺], the place where Bodhidharma completed his teaching. The Temple of Emptiness is always included in the historical trails and treks organized by EPOS, not only because it is of historical importance for the Shaolin culture, but also because it is of prime patriarchal heritage.

The 34th generation Shaolin Master, Shi Yan Ci [chin .: shì yán cí 释延慈], Abbot of the temple, who has knowledge of Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu and is a great friend of Master Shi Yan Zhuo, had informed the day before, that everything was ready for the visit of the EPOS mission.

The mission arrived at the Mountain Gate at 8 am, and was welcomed by Master Shi Kong Zhan [chin .: shì kōng zhàn 释空湛] , who led them to the Central Hall. There, members of the mission were received by Master Shi Yan Ci. After tea and fruits were offered to the guests, Masters Yan Zhuo and Yan Kong chatted with the Abbot, for the works of completion of the Hall "Returning to the West" [chin .: xī guī táng 西归堂]. Then Master Shi Kong Guo [chin .: shì kōng guǒ 释空果] and Shi Kong Ju [chin .: shì kōng jù 释空巨], guided the members of the mission to the monastery halls and presented the relics of the monastery, the sacred rock confirming the historical existence of Bodhidharma, photos of the temple before the restoration, the Pagoda of Bodhidharma [chin .: dá mó tǎ 达摩塔] and the Tomb of Bodhidharma [chin .: dá mó mù 达摩墓].

In the Reception Hall, the two Masters alone with the Abbot, spoke on procedural and other issues, and then Master Yan Ci, asked his disciple Yan Kong, to present two rare skills of Shaolin Quan, Luohan Chan Da [chin .: luóhàn chándǎ 罗汉缠打] and Luohan Xi Yuan Quan [chin .: luóhàn xǐyuàn quán 罗汉喜怨拳]. In turn followed the masters and students of EPOS, who just returned to the room, and presented, one by one, skills of Shaolin Quan Tung.

Master Shi Yan Ci, spoke to the members of the mission, for the teaching and the Shaolin Monastery. He said that Chan and Kung Fu is one and that without Chan, kung fu is weak and may even be lost. Then, according to the patriarchal ceremonial, Master Shi Yan Ci asked the permission of Master Shi Yan Zhuo for the beginning of the student acceptance. Completing the integration of new students in his personal Teaching group, the head of Kong Xiang said: "Based on the Genealogical Tree of Shaolin, you belong to Heng generation, ie the 35th generation and you should pass on the culture and teachings of Shaolin, correctly from heart with love, "and continued" Chan has no country and nationality, but only body. It is universal and is for the benefit of all people. " And he ended by saying, "from today you can consider Kong Xiang, your home."

The day continued with vegetarian meal and then the Greeks of EPOS, went to the Damo Mu Hall, for a meditation course. All obviously excited, began their first training on the plateau of the Pagoda of Bodhidharma, under the guidance of Master Yan Kong. Most of the members of the mission had visited in the past the Temple of Emptiness and had trained there. But now it was their first time as students of the temple and Master Shi Yan Ci. The course was completed just before dusk, where the mission farewelled monks and Master Yan Ci, taking the way back.