2024年少林寺朝圣
Pilgrimage in Shaolin Temple 2024
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At the invitation of the Shaolin Temple and the European Shaolin Cultural Federation, a delegation of Greek Shaolin teachers embarked on a journey of cultural and spiritual significance. Representing the Shaolin cultural centers of Greece and Athens, the Masters—Stavridis Iordanis - [Chin.: shì yán zhuō 释延卓] Katakalaios Dimitris - [Chin.: shì yán kōng 释延空], Antoniou Efstathia - [Chin.: shìyányùn 释延运], and Stavridou Alexandra - [Chin.: shìyánjiā 释延佳] —traveled to the revered Shaolin Temple in China for the unveiling of the stone inscription "European Shaolin Disciples Return to the Mountain Monument" [Chinese: Ōuzhōu shàolín dìzǐ guī shān bēi 比面少林弟子归山碑] which celebrated the 15th anniversary of the European Cultural Shaolin Federation, whose Greek Masters are among the Founding Members.
The inscription proudly mentions the European Shaolin Cultural Centers, along with the names of the masters who played a vital role in promoting Shaolin culture and philosophy throughout Europe. This milestone marked a deeper connection between the Shaolin Temple and its European affiliates.
The unveiling ceremony coincided with the start of the three-day Ullabana Festival [Chin.: Yú lán pén 盂兰盆], a significant event on the Shaolin calendar that celebrates the August full moon and honors the ancestors. The festival, rooted in Buddhist traditions, saw more than 500 teachers and students from across Europe gather at Shaolin Temple, including ten teachers from Greece. In total, 17 Shaolin teachers from Greece are registered with the temple, further highlighting the strong bond between the two nations.
Exploring the Birthplace of Martial Arts
Beyond the unveiling event, the Greek delegation visited other historically and culturally rich areas of Henan Province, known as the cradle of martial arts. Their journey took them to key sites that are registered in China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, reflecting the deep historical roots of these martial arts traditions.
One of the highlights was a visit to Zhoukou[Chin.: Zhōukǒu 周口市], the birthplace of Xingyi [Chin.: Xíng yì quán 形意拳], a style of internal martial arts, located in Boai County [Chin.: Bó'ài Xiàn 博爱县]. The group also explored the origins of Baji [Chin.: Bājíquán 八極拳], another powerful martial art style, where they visited the Moon Mountain Temple [Chin.: Yuè shān sì 月山寺]. These stops offered the teachers a profound insight into the origins and evolution of martial arts, helping them further connect with the cultural heritage they have committed to preserving and teaching in Greece.
This journey not only commemorated the 15th anniversary of the European Shaolin Cultural Federation but also reinforced the strong cultural ties between Greece and the Shaolin Temple. The visit allowed the Greek Masters to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Chinese martial arts and culture, strengthening their connection to the spiritual and cultural practices that they teach and uphold in Greece.
The historic unveiling of the stone inscription at Shaolin Temple symbolizes the enduring relationship between Europe and the Shaolin tradition, with Greece playing a vital role in this growing cultural exchange.
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China, Chinese Kung Fu, Kung Fu, Kung Fu Grading, Martial Arts, Chinese Martial Arts, Shaolin, Shaolin Kung Fu, shaolin kung fu grading, shaolin temple, Shifu Shi Yan Zhuo, Changchun Wushu CenterA Friendly Reminder: All content included on this site, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, and software, is the property of Hellenic Shaolin Cultural Center or its content suppliers and protected by US and International Copyright Laws. The compilation (meaning the collection, arrangement, and assembly) of all content on this site is the exclusive property of Hellenic Shaolin Cultural Center and protected by US and International Copyright Laws. Any use of the content on this site, including the reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission, reindex_usation, display, or performance, is strictly prohibited.