"This one body has a dual purpose:
My hands do my work,
My legs get me around.
I know my own limits.
I'll rest when it pleases me,
And work again when I wish."
-p. 148, Kamo no Chomei, Hojoki
August 8th, 2024.
A day I'll remember for quite some time. An early morning breakfast of simple veggies, eggs, porridge and bread. Then, we loaded into the bus towards our destination. It was a relaxing car ride. Students made idle chatter as I read a few pages of a book. Occasionally looking out the window to see the surroundings. Lush greenery dotted with brick and mortar homes. Rain drops gliding across the river as the bus curved around mountains.
Soon, the bus carved it's way through narrow village streets. Villages turned into towns. Towns turned to a city. Martial art schools could be seen here and there. Some small others large. The most dominant being Ta Gou Martial Art school. Where hundreds of students could be seen practicing.
Arriving at the Temple
Before we arrived at the temple, we performed the discipleship ceremony of fellow student Michael Torres. But, I'll let him tell his perspective on that event.
Then, we arrived. As the students unloaded the bus and we walked past the giant Ying Ke Seng statue, many feelings ran through me. Tourist groups swarmed around us. With each step, the Shaolin Temple revealed itself to us. The many thoughts continued to flood my mind like the tourists. The biggest thought was: How did a simple Midwesterner end up on an adventure like this?
An adventure full of succulent noodles, fried dumplings, drunken monks, love, heartbreak, smoke filled cabs, intense training, and long evenings spent looking into nothingness. Traveling through ancient villages, modern cities, packed metros, and running on dirt trails through jungles. The adventures all blur together into a collection of experiences that have made me who I am today. All leading me to the moment of entering the gates of Shaolin.
Quest Complete
Our trip was quick. The senior students and I saw most of the famous Shaolin Monuments. The pagota forest, Er Zu Shrine, Guan Yin Statue, the famous floors and trees. Snapping photos along the way to have memories. Then, it was time to go.
Although I didn't see the Bodhidharma Cave, or statue, I left feeling accomplished. Almost like a quest was completed. Riding the bus home, I didn't touch my book as this feeling of accomplishment bled into my thoughts. As the bus traced its way back to Gong Yi, a weight left my shoulders.
The weight of Kung Fu. Shaolin. Tournaments. Martial Arts. And more...
I've been pondering this feeling, and it's meaning.
📿Johnny
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