New Temple New Life Campaign

ABOUT THE NEW TEMPLE CAMPAIGN

Many people are drawn to the USA Shaolin Temple by the allure of learning legendary Shaolin martial arts from a true master. We stay because of Shifu’s dynamic spirit, his Chan Buddhist message of mutual respect and understanding and the diverse and welcoming community the Temple offers. As a result, we are quickly outgrowing our existing leased space in Manhattan.

We have launched a capital campaign to raise the funds we need to build a new Temple in upstate New York while maintaining a presence in Manhattan. 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.

Once the Temple has room to grow, Shifu will be able to share the teachings of Shaolin with anyone who is willing to train hard and learn. In this way, the Temple will preserve the Shaolin legacy and spread its universal message: Strengthen your mind and body, understand yourself so that you can understand others, and help yourself so that you can help others.

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.

Our next step:
We are in the process of selecting the right land on which we will build the new temple. Currently we are looking in the Upstate New York area ( with an approximate distance of no greater than four hours from New York City ). At the same time, we are continuing to raise funds for the land purchase.

 

Common Questions About The New Temple, New Life Campaign

 

What is the capital campaign all about? What is going to built?
Shifu Shi Yan Ming's goal is to build a New Shaolin Temple that will carry on the traditions of the old Shaolin Temple in China but will allow anyone around the world to have access to its training and teaching. The New Temple will be located in the upstate New York area. The New Temple will include 72 chambers of authentic Shaolin training, where students and instructors can live and train winter, spring, summer, and fall.

 

Can I train at the New Shaolin Temple?
Yes, you will be able to train at the New Temple. The New Temple will allow our community to grow. Additionally the Temple will be able to expand the types of training offered, which will allow more classes, providing room and board, hosting summits and other special events, running corporate retreats and other team building programs, and expanding the outreach efforts to give more young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to train. Once the Temple has room to grow, Shifu will be able to share his philosophy with anyone from around the world who is willing to train hard and learn. In this way, the temple will preserve the Shaolin legacy and spread its universal message: Strengthen your mind and body, understand yourself so that you can understand others, and help yourself so that you can help others.

 

Can I contribute? What ways can I help to build the New Temple?
Yes, everyone is encouraged to contribute. There are also many ways to help. This is a great way to preserve the wisdom and knowledge of 1,500 years of Shaolin tradition for this generation and future generations. The Temple is currently in the process of raising capital to purchase the land and for the New Temple's construction. The capital campaign is currently approaching a quarter of a million dollars. There have been numerous donations from both students of the Temple and many people from around the world wishing to help this mission succeed. All we ask is that you give from your heart. Any donation amount is wonderful and moves forward the campaign as a whole. In the future, the Temple will be able to accept other forms of donations, including materials, consulting, and more. Another way to help is to spread the word about the New Temple New Life campaign. The more people that are involved in the campaign will generate a faster realization of the goals. One way to build awareness of the Temple’s campaign is to link to the Temple's website (or this page) from your own website or company's website. If you need additional linking information, please send us an email with the title "I would like to link to the New Temple website", and we will promptly send you options. 

 

Where will the New Temple be built?
Shifu Shi Yan Ming has selected the upstate New York area in the vicinity of the Catskills, because of the remarkable similarity of this area to the area surrounding the old Shaolin Temple in China. We are currently in the process of selecting land which will best suit the New Temple. 

 

Will there still be a Temple in New York City?
Yes, after the New Temple is built upstate, we will still continue to have a presence in Manhattan so that people may train harder everyday.

 

Who will teach at the New Temple?
Shifu Shi Yan Ming will continue teaching authentic Shaolin martial arts or Chan philosophy in the New Temple. There will be additional instructors to help teach—some of the instructors will be brought from China and some will come from the USA Shaolin Temple.
 

Student Testimonials:

“The Temple is a place where I, like so many others, have found compassion, happiness and inspiration. It is a place that asks only that you give your best to receive the best everyone else has to offer.”
– Gay Haubner, Writer & Temple Student


“I am so happy to train with people from such diverse racial, cultural, religious and economic backgrounds. I am struck by the seriousness of many of the students and the way they support each other. It is clear Shifu embodies and communicates an ancient tradition, a depth of power and brightness that everyone, in their unique identity, feels and shares.”
– Ellen Hwalan, Artist, Yoga Instructor & Temple Student


“When I think back on the person I was before I came to the Temple, I am amazed by how greatly I have changed. I could never be the way I was. It seems I am no longer capable of being lazy.”
– Joe Simonsen, College Student & Temple Disciple

 

How Can I Contribute?

To make a financial contribution to the New Temple, New Life fund, please visit the donate page:

Help build the new Temple >