what type of monk was FA HUI

[RJW]

Not exactly mine, I've just reworded it a few times over the years. But sure you have my permission to do with it as you will.


become a Shaolin monk....
There used to be this 1 guy I'd see in Chinatown years ago. He slept on the street, I don't know if he was an actual monk but he shaved his head, wore some kindah robes, would beg for alms on the street corner when he wasn't leaping around the park beating up trees and yelling something about Bruce Lee. He was very serious about what he was doing, I think he thought he was a Shaolin monk, he certainly didn't care if you didn't think he was. (No idea what relevance that has with anything you just suddenly reminded me of him.)

[cassius]

which chinatown was this?

[joehaz100]

ya tells us RJW what china town was it? was it in cali?

[kirvixus]

that's some good advice fa hui. however I still want to go live shaolin style for a while. personally I enjoy isolation. or maybe I just think I do? well either way I'm looking forward to the experience of visiting.

[RJW]

LOL! Shaolin bum style. Well we have at least 5 but it was Dundas & Spadina in the park behind the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) in Toronto, & that's going back almost 15 years now.

[Asger]

Doc, I have a question. I want to become a Shaolin monk. Can you please tell me exsactly how i would come about doing such a thing as just that?

[kirvixus]

asger read around the site some more. particularly the shaolin FAQ under site content:Shaolin

[joehaz100]

hay i have checked all though this site but have not found out how to bcome a really shaolin but then agin Asger why do you want to be a shaolin monk just woundering ?

[doc]

Asger, right here baby, it's all right here...

http://x.russbo.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1006

[dadoo]

Get your kit while they last. IThry must be going fast based on recent posts at this site.

[RJW]

Why does everyone here (in the West) want to be a SHAOLIN monk? The Qing Dynasty is long gone & along with it the Shaolin temple everyone thinks they want to go to. Kids dropped off and not given the choice as to whether they want to be monks. Out side of Buddhism, martial arts, some reading & writing, a little math & some Chinese history & geography thrown in for good measure these men aren't well educated. Peasants with no money. Plus the extra added bonus of being under the thumb of the government. What do the Shaolin monks want? To get out! They want to go to Europe or North America to be out from under the gov't thumb, to make a little money, to get out from their cloistered existence & experience the world! My favorite story in "Shaolin Ulysses" (outside of Doc's of course, he A #1!) was the monk who arrived in New York and stated that it was never his intention to remain a monk all his life. He disrobed & married a white Christian lady and had a kid they're raising to be a Buddhist/Christian (or is it a Christian/Buddhist, Oy!)

What's so special about Shaolin other than your fantasies? You want to learn martial arts? Plenty of places to do that. I once read an article in a tae kwon do mag. about some Buddhist monks in Korea that use martial arts in their practice. You want to learn Buddhism? There are a lot of places to do that too. Fa Hui went to Plum Village in France, a place a lot less alien than China. There's a Buddhist temple about a mile from my house that has a much larger monastery less than 100 miles from the city; I wouldn't even have to leave my province, if I were so inclined. That would be a good thing, my medical would still be covered for one! Of course I've already had the Asian experience, I've lived and studied, & traveled, all those things the Shaolin monks want to do.

[doc]

was the monk who arrived in New York and stated that it was never his intention to remain a monk all his life. He disrobed & married a white Christian lady and had a kid they're raising to be a Buddhist/Christian (or is it a Christian/Buddhist, Oy!)

It apparently wasn't in his tea leaves to remain married either, from what I've heard.

[joehaz100]

did he get devored already doc?

[Asger]

Fa Hui, I think so many westerners want to become a monk for the same reason the shaolin monks want to experience the west. Don't we feel a little under the government's thumb? Don't we feel we live a rather controlled life? as if we don't really have the power to do what we want to. Not to speak of all the materialism which will make you one mad man.

We want to go out and experience the world too. Very simple, no?

[doc]

Well, I like going there for the peace and quiet. Away from American life. To train, without distraction. To feel the qi. To breathe the fresh air, eat the fresh veggies, and get a nightly body rub from some 19 year old hair dresser girl....