Chinese Kungfu and World Cup

Invited by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, the Abbot of China’s ancient Shaolin Temple will fly to Berlin, Germany to watch the World Cup final and attend the closing Ceremony according to Dahe daily.

As the birthplace of Chinese Zen Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin Kungfu as well as one of the orthodox schools of Chinese martial arts since ancient times, Shaolin Kungfu seems drawing more attention from the world now. It is gaining more popularity and increasing influence in Germany since the Shaolin Temple built a Shaolin Culture Center there in 2001.

Especially after Russian President Putin paid a visit to Shaolin temple and introduced Shaolin Kungfu to Blatter, that aroused the FIFA president’s interest, according to Xinhua Daily.

Abbot Shi Yongxin said Shaolin Kungfu, like soccer is the essential of western culture, represents the Chinese traditional ancient culture. Although he rarely watch soccer play on TV and doesn’t play soccer, he thinks Shaolin Kungfu and Soccer share the common ground as the world’s cultural heritage. Shaolin Kungfu focus on fighting spirits as well as individual talents and skills much like soccer is a team sport. Whether you are an excellent soccer player or a talented kungfu master, you should be a good person with love, kindness and loftiness against committing moral and physical fouls.

Accepting the invitation, the Abbot hopes the exchange of the typical western culture and ancient culture will improve the understanding of the world.