Song Shan, China
Buddhist monks at China’s Shaolin Temple, birthplace of kung fu, have discovered capitalism. The abbot, Shi Yongxin, is currently producing a $25 million movie about the temple’s legendary fighting monks of yore, and he’s planning a reality TV show for kung fu masters, the Los Angeles Times reported this week. At 40, Shi is one of the youngest abbots in the temple’s 1,500-year history, and he has sent his monks abroad to perform and to promote Shaolin kung fu. He dismisses critics who say such commercialism is sacrilegious. “Buddhist statues too are a form of advertising,” Shi said. “If we don’t advertise, nobody would know about us.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
An ingredient in Coca-Cola may be funding Sudan's warUnder the Radar Global trade in gum arabic centres on the African nation – and proceeds bankroll conflict between the army and paramilitary rebels
-
Homes for multi-generational familiesFeature Featuring a 1900 Jacobean-style mansion in Massachusetts and a 22.5-acre compound in California
-
The Week contest: Foot PSAPuzzles and Quizzes
