Shi Yongxin

Shi Yongxin (Chinese释永信, Shi term for a Buddhist monk in China, Yong forever, always, xin trust reliably; * 1965 in Yingshang, Anhui Province ) is the 30th Enthroned abbot of the Shaolin Temple. In addition, he has worked as a politician and member of the Chinese National People's Congress.

Generally

Yongxin was included in the Shaolin Temple in 1981 at the age of 16 years and belonged to the 33rd generation of Shaolin monks. His foster father was the then abbot of the temple, Grand Master Xing Zheng. At 22 he was elected chairman of the management committees of the Shaolin Temple and was then the youngest leading Buddhist monk in China. In 1999 he was elected at the age of 34 years as abbot of the Shaolin Temple, which was founded in 495 AD by the Indian monk Batuo. By Yongxin efforts of the Temple and the Shaolin culture have gained inside and outside of China increasing awareness. Yongxin belongs to a new generation of religious leaders of the People's Republic of China, who were born after the Cultural Revolution. He was elected in 2000 by the official Chinese media as one of the hundred leaders of China, which could affect the country's future in the 21st century. The Chinese leadership attaches great importance to the accompaniment of the abbot during state visits abroad. He has met with numerous personalities from politics, economy, culture, religion and sports.

The abbot is quite controversial in China. Among other things he made in 2001, talked about when he tore down the Shaolin Village, a collection of martial arts schools and other shops close to the temple, but had no or only loose connections to the temple. This was in agreement with the Chinese government, but against the will of many of the owners. The owners of most martial arts schools were compensated by land in nearby Dengfeng and only one state wushu school remained. Today, the most important objectives of public criticism Shi Yongxin extreme commercialization of the Shaolin Temple and the Shaolin culture and its subservience to the state government in Beijing.

Political functions

1993 Yongxin was elected to the "Political Conference for Coordination of Henan Province". He is a member of the Chinese National People 's Deputies Congress and president of the Buddhist Association of Henan Province. He is also a member of the Chinese National Youth League.

Commitment to the Shaolin culture

For the Shaolin culture include the Chan Buddhism, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Shaolin Kung Fu, which together form an organic system. The crucial factor is the Chan Buddhism, which is the " soul" of the Shaolin culture. Shi Yongxin actively promotes the exchange of the Shaolin Temple with foreign countries. He opened temple in USA, England and Germany in Berlin the Shaolin Temple. The Berlin temple is the first offshoot of the mother temple in Germany was founded on behalf of Shi Yongxin. He ordained him personally in 2002 and appointed Shi Yong Chuan in November 2004 officially appointed Abbot of the German Shaolin Temple. Yongxin also made ​​in June 1993 for the first official contact between Buddhists from Taiwan and the People's Republic of China for over 40 years. He is engaged in active international understanding. In 2006 he founded the Shaolin Foundation, which has supported orphans and engage in well drilling, and the Shaolin Academy of Painting and Calligraphy. Yongxin is involved in the publication of numerous books and illustrated books about the culture and history of Shaolin. He also led the renovation and partial reconstruction of the temple and numerous pagodas.

Traveling abroad

He was received by Queen Elizabeth II in London in 1999. In 2001 he met the then Finance Minister Hans Eichel in Berlin. In March 2003 he was a member of the delegation of the then President of the National People's Congress, Li Peng, during the visit to Japan. The Legislature House of California he visited in March 2004 at the invitation of the President Yu Yinliang. The Legislature House has declared by a decision of 21 March for "Shaolin Temple Day". Since then Shaolin is celebrated annually in California. In November 2004 the abbot accompanied the Chinese President, party and military leader Hu Jintao during his state visit to South America. At the invitation of FIFA President Sepp Blatter Yongxin 2006 was guest of honor at the World Cup final and the World Cup closing ceremony in Berlin. There he met the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Foreign Minister Frank -Walter Steinmeier and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. On August 8, 2006, he visited Australia and met Prime Minister John Howard. On November 10, 2006 he received an honorary doctorate was awarded by the United States Sports Academy / USA. In April 2007, the abbot took part in the 8th Annual Laureus World Sports Awards in Barcelona, Spain, in part. It also came to a meeting with Spanish King Juan Carlos I.

Famous visitors to the Shaolin Temple

• Reception of the Russian Defense Minister Ivanov together with the Chinese Defense Minister Chao Gangchuan
• 2004 Jiang Zemin, former President and Party chief of China.
• On 22 March 2006 the Russian President Putin visited the Shaolin Temple.
• On 9 August 2007, Shi Yongxin was attended by IOC President Jacques Rogge at the Shaolin Temple in China.