For foreigners, they can engage in exchange and learning activities with Shaolin Temple under certain conditions. However, becoming an official Shaolin monk by joining Shaolin Temple is relatively complex and has certain conditions and limitations. The general process is as follows:
Temporary martial arts teaching activities are arranged for foreigners traveling to Shaolin Temple.
Preparatory Understanding and Communication
Self-assessment and Interest Confirmation: Foreigners must first have an in-depth understanding and strong interest in Shaolin culture, Buddhist doctrines, and the monastic life of Shaolin Temple. This can be achieved by reading relevant books, watching documentaries, and communicating with people with relevant experiences. Determine if you can adapt to the lifestyle of Shaolin Temple, abide by the temple rules and precepts, and truly be willing to learn and inherit Shaolin culture.
Contacting Shaolin Temple: You can contact the relevant departments or responsible persons of Shaolin Temple through official websites, emails, telephones, etc., express your intention to join, and consult the specific application process and requirements.
Application and Review
Submitting Application Materials: Generally, materials such as personal resumes, application letters, and recommendation letters need to be submitted. The personal resume should include personal basic information, educational background, martial arts foundation (if any), and understanding of Shaolin culture. The application letter should elaborate on the reasons, purposes, and expectations for joining Shaolin Temple. Recommendation letters can be issued by teachers, coaches, or relevant institutions who know you to prove your character and ability.
Preliminary Review: Shaolin Temple will conduct a preliminary review of the application materials to assess the basic conditions and sincerity of the applicant. If the application materials are incomplete or do not meet the requirements, the applicant may be asked to supplement or modify the materials.
Interview and Assessment
Interview: Applicants who pass the preliminary review may be invited to Shaolin Temple for an interview. The interview is usually presided over by Shaolin monks or relevant responsible persons, mainly examining the applicant’s language expression ability, understanding of Shaolin culture, personal character, and monastic intention.
Physical Fitness and Martial Arts Assessment (if required): For some applicants who want to learn Shaolin martial arts, there may also be assessments of physical fitness and martial arts foundation. The assessment content includes physical fitness, basic martial arts movements, flexibility, strength, etc., to determine if the applicant has the physical conditions to learn Shaolin martial arts.
Cultural Learning and Adaptation Period
Learning Chinese: Chinese is an important language for learning and communication in Shaolin Temple. Therefore, foreigners need to learn Chinese to better understand and learn Shaolin culture. Shaolin Temple may provide Chinese language courses or require applicants to learn Chinese on their own to reach a certain language level.
Cultural Adaptation: Before officially joining Shaolin Temple, applicants may need a period of cultural adaptation to understand Chinese cultural traditions, religious beliefs, customs and habits, etc., in order to better integrate into the life of Shaolin Temple.
Tonsure and Conversion (if choosing to become a monk)
Tonsure: If foreigners choose to become Shaolin monks, they need to undergo the tonsure ceremony. Tonsure is an important ceremony for becoming a Buddhist monk, representing cutting off troubles and leaving the secular world. After tonsure, foreigners will become novices or bhikkhus of Shaolin Temple.
Conversion: Conversion is the entry ceremony of Buddhism. Foreigners need to take an oath in front of the Buddha statue in Shaolin Temple, convert to the Triple Gem of Buddhism, and abide by Buddhist doctrines and precepts.
Formal Entry and Practice
Finding a Master: After completing the tonsure and conversion ceremonies, foreigners need to take a Shaolin monk as their master and learn Shaolin martial arts, meditation, Buddhist scriptures, and other contents. The master will formulate personalized learning plans and guidance schemes according to the characteristics and needs of the disciples.
Practice and Learning: After officially becoming a member of Shaolin Temple, foreigners need to conduct daily practice and learning according to the temple rules and precepts and the master’s teachings. Practice content includes meditation, martial arts training, chanting scriptures, labor, etc. Through continuous learning and practice, improve one’s practice level and martial arts skills.
It should be noted that Shaolin Temple is an inheritance place of Buddhist temples and martial arts culture, and the requirements for joiners are very strict. Before foreigners join Shaolin Temple, they must fully understand the relevant cultural and religious backgrounds, respect the traditions and rules of Shaolin Temple, and pursue their own monastic path with a sincere attitude and firm belief.