Yao Ming might be accruing guanxi up the wazoo with his new standing committee gig, but it's Shaquille O'Neal who truly speaks to the people! Shaq showed up for Hunan TV's Spring Gala Festival to run around on stage with kiddie monks, and went through his usual patented brand of kung foolery while trying not to step on the children. more ›

138 instructors, disciples and students of the United Studios of Self Defense, said to be the largest martial arts school in North America, have arrived at the Shaolin Temple for the school's 15th annual pilgrimage. The abbott of the Shaolin Temple, Ven. Shi Yongxin (yes, the monk rumoured not so long ago to have visited prostitutes) presided over a blessing ritual and handed certificates of recognition to each disciple. more ›

If you're the sort to believe in online rumors, here's a juicy one for you: Abbot Shi Yongxin (释永信) of the world-famous Shaolin Temple was reportedly caught soliciting a prostitute during a recent vice crackdown in Henan province. more ›

Ip Man, the kung fu master who among others taught Bruce Lee some of his tricks and kicks seems to be the honey of the 2010 silver screens. Two years after the film Ip Man (叶问), a sequel is now released, once again under the direction of Wilson Yip (Yip Wai Shun) and with Donnie Yen in the leading role. Apart from this, two other pictures about the great fighter is under production right this moment. more ›

We have yet to make it to the famed Shaolin temple, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and kung fu epicenter of the world. It's a fabled place of fantasy: however, recent commercialization seems to have made it more of a Disneyland version of "where dreams come true" than the pious, bad ass temple of legend. Apparently, having Shaq and a bikini fashion show (not to mention raking in millions off 100RMB entrance fees) tend to take away from your credibility as a temple-cum-martial arts center. Maybe Rain's new remake of Enter The Dragon will help restore the renegade Shaolin monk's image, but it'll probably be more like a glorified Shaolin Pepsi commercial. more ›

Looks like Shaq's not the only celebrity to get some Shaolin fever. Over the weekend, the venerable Kung Fu institution saw an influx of pretty ladies as the Miss Tourism Queen International competition high kicked their way into Henan. more ›

Photo from fiverlocker. more ›

Every now and again, time and space just seem to line up in an incredible display of fate/coincidence (delete as appropriate). For months now, we have been trying to get to grips with the strange brand of Uncle Tom-ism on display in the Shanghai ex-pativerse. It has so many unique facets that it appears to defy summary or clear explanation. Then along came Matthew Polly who wrote American Shaolin, a book that sets it all out with the purpose and prose of a Plato’s Republic. Albeit unintentionally. more ›