2018年CRI Is Shaolin Kung Fu on the decline in China?

 

An ancient art that takes years to perfect. This group of about a dozen young monks¹ are working on their Kung Fu. Their every move watched closely by their Shi Fu- or master- Yan Chen.

The Shaolin Temple in China's centrally located Henan Province is seen by many as the home of Kung Fu. It's both a physical and spiritual workout and the Temple's Director of Foreign Affairs Wang Yumin says it was born on the principle of self-defense. 

"Because of a long time practice of meditation², the monks merged³ the Kung fu into meditation and the style of Shaolin Kung fu came into being." 

The Shaolin Temple in China's Henan Province was founded in 495 AD and is the home of Shaolin Kung Fu. A practice that combines martial⁴ arts with Zen Buddhism⁵.

It's this history that has attracted pupils the world over. Leonard Huetten has travelled from Germany and is one of 10 foreign students currently training at the temple. He's over six foot tall with blonde hair pulled back into a bun. 

He's just a few weeks into his three month program. He says a reason for joining is to get away from today's gadgets⁶. 

"Mobile devices are too important in our lives and if you're here you concentrate on your training and you have to rest and you're away from all the technology stuff."

Considered the birthplace of Chinese Zen Buddhism, thousands of people visit the Shaolin Temple every day to see the ancient temples and catch a glimpse of the monks practicing Kung fu. Tourism remains⁷ robust⁸ but some worry that Kung fu's longstanding grip on Chinese culture is starting to loosen. 

"Persistence⁹ and concentration are vital skills needed to become a Kung fu master. But some fear younger generations don't have the patience or attention spans needed to dedicate themselves to this art."

The Tagou Martial Art School has sought to keep the tradition of Shaolin Kung fu alive. ?

The 40-year-old school claims to be the largest martial arts institute in China, with 39,000 students currently enrolled¹⁰. In the main courtyard over a hundred students have split into groups practicing specific Kung fu skills- ranging from work on their set routines to mastering flips¹¹. ?

School coach Jiang Honghu says its principles can still play an important role in today's society."The parents send their kids to this school hoping that martial arts would change their kid's destiny, improve their physical condition, character and temperament¹²."

For those who lack the patience there's Mixed Martial Arts- or MMA. 

Market research firm Technavio estimate that the global MMA equiptment market alone will grow 7% annually¹³ over the next four years. 

Secretary General of the Martial Arts Industry Alliance Li Qiang says many people are choosing it as it better suits their busy lifestyles.

"People nowadays lived at a fast pace, so they want an effective relaxation¹⁴. Just like the videos trending on Wechat, nice and short, MMA is good in the same way."

Today's fast-paced way of life provides stiff competition for this ancient style of Kung fu. 

But the teachers believe it's worth investing the time to keep a tradition alive. 

1 monks   

n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The monks lived a very ascetic life. 僧侣过着很清苦的生活。
• He had been trained rigorously by the monks. 他接受过修道士的严格训练。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 meditation   

n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录

参考例句：

• This peaceful garden lends itself to meditation.这个恬静的花园适于冥想。
• I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation.很抱歉，我打断了你的沉思。

3 merged   

（使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中

参考例句：

• Turf wars are inevitable when two departments are merged. 两个部门合并时总免不了争争权限。
• The small shops were merged into a large market. 那些小商店合并成为一个大商场。

4 martial   

adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的

参考例句：

• The sound of martial music is always inspiring.军乐声总是鼓舞人心的。
• The officer was convicted of desertion at a court martial.这名军官在军事法庭上被判犯了擅离职守罪。

5 Buddhism   

n.佛教（教义）

参考例句：

• Buddhism was introduced into China about 67 AD.佛教是在公元67年左右传入中国的。
• Many people willingly converted to Buddhism.很多人情愿皈依佛教。

6 gadgets   

n.小机械，小器具（ gadget的名词复数 ）

参考例句：

• Certainly. The idea is not to have a house full of gadgets. 当然。设想是房屋不再充满小配件。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• This meant more gadgets and more experiments. 这意味着要设计出更多的装置，做更多的实验。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

7 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

8 robust   

adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的

参考例句：

• She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。
• China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。

9 persistence   

n.坚持，持续，存留

参考例句：

• The persistence of a cough in his daughter puzzled him.他女儿持续的咳嗽把他难住了。
• He achieved success through dogged persistence.他靠着坚持不懈取得了成功。

10 enrolled   

adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起

参考例句：

• They have been studying hard from the moment they enrolled. 从入学时起，他们就一直努力学习。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He enrolled with an employment agency for a teaching position. 他在职业介绍所登了记以谋求一个教师的职位。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 flips   

轻弹( flip的第三人称单数 )； 按（开关）； 快速翻转； 急挥

参考例句：

• Larry flips on the TV while he is on vacation in Budapest. 赖瑞在布达佩斯渡假时，打开电视收看节目。
• He flips through a book before making a decision. 他在决定买下一本书前总要先草草翻阅一下。

12 temperament   

n.气质，性格，性情

参考例句：

• The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
• Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。

13 annually   

adv.一年一次，每年

参考例句：

• Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。
• They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。

14 relaxation   

n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐

参考例句：

• The minister has consistently opposed any relaxation in the law.部长一向反对法律上的任何放宽。
• She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。