Disciple Acceptance
Shaolin Orthodox Disciple Acceptance
Core Purpose: Uphold the inheritance core of Shaolin’s “Uniting Zen and Shaolin Kungfu, Cultivating Shaolin Kungfu with Virtue”, abide by the ancient maxim of “Learning Etiquette Before Practicing Art, Cultivating Virtue Before Practicing Shaolin Kungfu”, strictly follow the norms of Shaolin orthodox disciple Acceptance, select disciples with correct moral character, determination to inherit, and acceptable talent, continue the bloodline of Shaolin Kung Fu and culture, cultivate orthodox Shaolin successors with both skills, morality and inheritance awareness,adhere to the “Ten Taboos of Non-Transmission”, and ensure the intergenerational inheritance of Shaolin intangible cultural heritage skills and spirit.
Principles of Disciple Accetance
- Moral Character (Primary Condition): Correct conduct, respect for teachers and the Dao, modesty and introversion, perseverance and hard work, no bad habits, recognition of Shaolin’s “Uniting Zen and Shaolin Kungfu” concept, adherence to “Filial Piety, Fraternity, Loyalty and Trustworthiness”, no rebellious, bullying, lying or other behaviors, and compliance with the requirements of “Integrity, Perseverance and Cherishing” in Shaolin’s “Ten Taboos of Non-Transmission”.
- Physical Condition: Physical and mental health, well-proportioned figure, good physical fitness, flexibility and coordination, no physical disabilities, congenital diseases (such as heart disease, asthma, etc.), no drug dependence, and ability to bear the rigorous Shaolin Kungfu training and Zen practice life in Shaolin.
- Talent and Comprehension: Beginners need to have strong learning and comprehension ability, imitation ability, and a strong interest in Shaolin Kungfu and Zen practice; those with Shaolin Kungfu foundation are preferred, who need to demonstrate basic Shaolin Kungfu movements and show certain sports talent and strength potential. “Extraordinary talent” is not pursued, but “Diligence can make up for stupidity” is advocated.
- Other Requirements: Voluntarily abide by Shaolin temple rules, school precepts and various management regulations after Acceptance, obey the arrangement of the master and coaches, be able to participate in systematic training in the whole process, be determined to inherit Shaolin Kung Fu and culture for a long time, and have no intention of dropping out halfway or learning Shaolin Kungfu for utilitarian purposes; those under 18 years old need the consent of their guardians, sign an inheritance commitment letter, and clarify the responsibilities and obligations of “Respecting Teachers and the Dao, Studying Hard, and Inheriting Skills”.
Follow-up Training and Management
- Training System: Be included in the training system of the long-term Shaolin Disciple Inheritance Class, and systematically learn classic Shaolin routines (Xiaohong Fist, Dahong Fist, Luohan Fist, etc.), weapons (knife, spear, sword, staff, etc.), Zen practice, traditional Chinese culture, and basic Shaolin medicine in three stages: Foundation Building, Skill Improvement and Inheritance Practice, with the master personally teaching skills and guiding Zen practice.
- Daily Management: Strictly abide by Shaolin temple rules and school precepts, implement full-time closed-door management, practice the Four Deportments of “Sleeping like a bow, Sitting like a bell, Walking like the wind, Standing like a nail”, cultivate the disciple’s sense of discipline and consciousness in practice; arrange Zen practice, training and cultural courses every day, combining movement and stillness to balance physical and mental development.
- Assessment Management: Conduct an assessment every stage. Those who fail the assessment will be guided and rectified by the master and re-tested within a time limit; those who fail twice in a row will be deemed unsuitable for inheritance and advised to leave the school to ensure the quality of inheritance; those who pass the long-term assessment will officially become the master’s personal disciples and can participate in Shaolin cultural inheritance, performances and other activities.
- Inheritance Responsibility: After completing their studies, the disciples need to assume the responsibility of inheriting Shaolin culture and Kung Fu, can stay in the temple to teach, participate in intangible cultural heritage promotion, or carry out inheritance work under the guidance of the master, must not use the learned skills for evil purposes, must not arbitrarily pass on the school’s unique skills to outsiders, and adhere to the original intention of inheritance.
Disciple Acceptance Ceremony (Following Ancient Shaolin Systems, Solemn and Sacred, Establishing Master-Disciple Relationship)
- The core of the ceremony is “Respecting Ancestors, Honoring Teachers and Making an Agreement”, presided over by the orthodox Shaolin inheritor, with Shaolin elders and senior fellow disciples as witnesses, following traditional rituals throughout. The specific process is as follows:
- Setting Up the Hall and Preparing Gifts: Arrange the incense hall, hang the memorial tablet of Patriarch Bodhidharma in the center, place the incense table and candlesticks, and prepare the teacher-invitation letter, Six Gifts of Apprenticeship (celery, lotus seeds, jujubes, longans, red beans, dried meat), and the master’s return gift to create a solemn atmosphere.
- Welcoming the Master into the Hall: The disciple stands at the door of the incense hall, bows to guide the master, elders and witnesses to take their seats, and then the disciple retreats to the left side of the incense table, maintaining a respectful posture.
- Offering Incense and Respecting Ancestors: The disciple takes three sticks of incense, holds them to the brow, silently recites the inheritance oath, lights them and inserts them into the incense burner in a “pin” shape, performs three kowtows, pays homage to Patriarch Bodhidharma and past Shaolin ancestors, and comforts the ancestors that “Today we accept disciples to continue the inheritance”.
- Presenting the Letter and Offering Gifts: The disciple kneels down, holds the teacher-invitation letter (handwritten, indicating the disciple’s name, native place, date of birth and inheritance commitment) above his head and presents it to the master, then offers the Six Gifts of Apprenticeship to express his sincerity in learning; after the master receives the letter, the master-disciple relationship is confirmed.
- Performing the Teacher-Worshipping Ritual: The disciple performs the Three Kneels and Nine Kows to the master, first kneeling to heaven and earth, second to the ancestors, and third to the master, symbolizing “Respecting Heaven, Respecting Ancestors and Honoring Teachers”; the master sits upright to receive the ritual, then gently pats the disciple’s left shoulder, symbolizing “Entrusting the responsibility of inheritance”.
- Master’s Instruction: The master reads the school precepts and inheritance responsibilities to the disciple, admonishes the disciple to “Cultivate Virtue Before Practicing Shaolin Kungfu, Study Hard to Learn Art”, clarifies the responsibilities and obligations of both the master and the disciple, and inherits Shaolin’s master-disciple philosophy of “Being both a teacher and a father”.
- ExZenging Tokens: The master gives the disciple a token (such as Shaolin prayer beads, practice weapons, hand-copied scriptures, etc.), symbolizing “Passing on Art and Heart”; the disciple presents a gift of inquiry to the master to express respect, and the exZenge of tokens symbolizes the unity of the master and the disciple.
- Taking the Oath and Making an Agreement: In front of the ancestor’s memorial tablet, the disciple reads the inheritance oath led by the master, promising to “Respect Teachers and the Dao, Study Hard, Never Betray the Master’s Kindness, and Inherit Shaolin”, then signs the inheritance commitment letter, clarifying “Being a Disciple for Life, Bearing the Responsibility for Life”.
- Ceremony Completion and Group Photo: After the ceremony, the disciple takes a group photo with the master, elders and senior fellow disciples to record the moment of entering the school, and is officially included in the orthodox Shaolin inheritance genealogy. The teacher-invitation letter is held by both the master and the disciple as a certificate of inheritance.
