USA Shaolin Temple. Amituofo. Welcome to the Temple.

The USA Shaolin Temple was founded in 1994 by 34th Generation Shaolin Temple Warrior Monk, Shi Yan Ming. The Temple teaches Chan philosophy or Action Meditation, continuing the tradition as founded by Bodhidharma ( Putidamo ) in the year 527. The USA Shaolin Temple is located in New York City and has branches in Austria, Mexico, South Africa, Chile, Trinidad and Tobago and Argentina.

The USA Shaolin Temple teaches Chan Philosophy through the core Shaolin disciplines of martial arts or action meditation: Gongfu (Kung Fu) Taiji Quan (Tai Chi) and Qigong (Chi Kung).  Students of all backgrounds, religions, ages, and athletic ability can train at Temple. Students come to the USA Shaolin Temple from all around the world to learn and grow from traditional Shaolin training. "Heart to Heart" and "Mind to Mind" is the essence of Shaolin Chan Philosophy -- and this system of training spans the differences between language and culture as a direct form of growth and understanding. Students find many paths to get to the Temple; while some students seek to build better health and create a feeling of well-being, others may train for self-defense or flexibility, but there is a singular concept behind Shaolin training: martial arts and Chan Philosophy are one and the same.

Shifu Shi Yan Ming, a 34th Generation Shaolin Temple Warrior Monk, has come to the United States, specifically New York City, as a way to give Shaolin Philosophy to the world.  Shi Yan Ming's message, as he frequently states, is quite simple: "Life is beautiful" and "Be honest with yourself and train harder." 

Shi Yan Ming's dream of expanding the USA Shaolin Temple to allow for more students, as well as international students, is currently taking shape. The USA Shaolin Temple has launched a capital campaign to raise the funds needed to build a new Temple in upstate New York while maintaining a presence in Manhattan.
 

New Temple. New Life.

Help us build a new temple. New Temple. New Life campaign.

The new Temple will allow our community to grow by offering more classes, providing room and board, hosting summits and other special events, running corporate retreats and other team building programs, and expanding our outreach to give more young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to train.

During this historic time, we need the support of everyone who recognizes the Temple's power to promote peace and harmony throughout the world by encouraging people to use their individual and collective chi (energy) productively in all aspects of their lives. We thank you for contributing what you can.
Learn more about the: New Shaolin Temple campaign >
 

Return To China, 2008

The USA Shaolin Temple contingent departed New York on September 13, 2008 on Air China flight 981 to Beijing. 21 disciples and students accompanied Shifu on this pilgrimage to China.
Read more about the trip >
 
 

Movie Night at the Temple: First Friday of Every Month at 9 PM

Every first friday of each month the Temple holds a movie night fundraiser for the USA Shaolin Temple Capital Campaign. All are welcome to attend. Admission is $5 in advance, and $8 at the door.

2008 San Bao Di Zi Ceremony

Shifu Shi Yan Ming and the disciples and students of the USA Shaolin Temple would like to welcome the new class of disciples to the extended Shaolin family. The ceremony took place this past Sunday on October 5th. Pictures from the ceremony are available in the image archive.


Shaolin: San Bao Di Zi Ceremony