On the morning of February 1, Pope Francis welcomed a delegation of monks from the Shaolin Temple at the Vatican. The Shaolin Temple, an important site in the history of Buddhism in China, is renowned for its preservation of Zen Buddhist traditions. Photos published by the VaticanNews website depicted the pontiff meeting with the monks from Henan province in his study.
This meeting followed the Future World Chan Forum, which was held at the Shaolin Temple from January 19 to 22. The forum gathered spiritual leaders and scholars from across the world to explore ways of promoting meditation for personal well-being and fostering harmonious international relations. Among the notable attendees at the event in China was Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb, who spoke about the significance of the 2019 Declaration on Human Fraternity, a document he co-signed with Pope Francis.
The Shaolin Monastery is widely recognized in the West for its association with kung fu, a martial art that continues to be practiced by its monks. However, beyond martial arts, the temple holds a deep-rooted significance as a guardian of Zen Buddhism in China. It is located on the slopes of Mount Song, one of China’s five sacred mountains, and has a long history dating back to the 5th century AD.
The origins of the Shaolin Temple can be traced to an Indian monk named Bada, the 28th successor in a lineage of Buddhist religious leaders. Bada arrived in China and began disseminating Buddhist teachings. In AD 495, Emperor Wei Xiaowendi ordered the construction of the temple, which played a pivotal role in the translation of sacred Indian Buddhist texts into Chinese. These translations helped shape what are now recognized as the fundamental precepts of Zen Buddhism.
Over the years, the Shaolin Temple has gained worldwide recognition, and in 2010, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, the temple has also faced criticism due to its increasing popularity as a tourist destination and its strong association with kung fu. In response, the monks emphasize that martial arts represent only one aspect of their cultural and spiritual traditions. They also highlight the global reach of their teachings, noting that over 200 Shaolin-affiliated centers exist worldwide, attracting more than 100 million visitors.
A new three-story museum is currently under construction at the Shaolin Temple and is expected to open this year. The museum’s first floor will focus on the life of Monk Bada and the foundations of Zen Buddhism. The second floor will present a detailed account of Shaolin history and culture through historical artifacts, documents, and digital exhibits. The top floor will display an extensive collection of the temple’s artistic and cultural heritage, including inscriptions, sculptures, murals, paintings, and calligraphy.