Shaolin Summit: Zen, Power of the Mind and Martial Arts

Interdisciplinary look at religion, martial arts, and psychology - at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

A celebrated panel of professionals from the fields of martial arts, entertainment, academia and clinical psychology will be discussing “Zen, Power of the

Mind and Martial Arts” as a key panel among other presentations at the Shaolin Summit in Los Angeles on May 21st. The Summit is the first-of-its-kind event focusing on China’s renowned ancient Shaolin Temple and its 1,500-year-old influence on traditional and popular culture. It will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center (West Hall) from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m.

In addition to panel discussions, the event will also feature a rare appearance by Shi Yong Xin, the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple of China. The originating source of a substantial portion of Asian martial arts practiced today and birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, Shaolin estimates that there are 200 million followers worldwide practicing martial arts derived from Shaolin.
The Summit’s first panel participants include:

• Lucia Rijiker, world champion kick boxer and boxer who amassed a record of 54 wins with 39 knockouts before becoming the first female inducted into the international World Boxing Hall of Fame. As an actress she has appeared in such films as Million Dollar Baby and Rollerball, and has been the subject of the documentary Lucia Rijiker: A Boxer, Buddhist, about her use of Buddhist practices to deal with the challenges of life and career;

• Matthew Polly, author of the forthcoming Tapped Out about mixed martial arts and American Shaolin, which recounts his experiences living in China and studying with monks of the Shaolin Temple. A Rhodes Scholar, he has also written for numerous high profile publications, including Esquire, The Nation, Playboy, Publisher’s Weekly and Slate, among others;

• Gene Ching, publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine and www.KungFuMagazine.com, the largest English-language magazine and website devoted exclusively to Chinese martial arts. He has authored hundreds of articles and produced videos on martial arts, including his first book published last year, Shaolin Trips, documenting 15 years of research on Shaolin;

• Dr. David Rapkin, a clinical and health psychologist and founding director of the Mind-Body Medicine Group in the UCLA Department of Surgery, Head and Neck Division. Recognized for his humanistic perspective, Dr. Rapkin’s clinical work integrates Buddhist psychology and philosophy with aspects of the psychoanalytic/psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral traditions;

• Moderator Jonathan Blank is an award-winning writer, filmmaker and creative technologist. He has spent 25 years studying high-level martial arts. Meditation, Eastern philosophy and esoteric metaphysical practices across the globe. His extensive writings on the subjects include the books Secrets of Dragon Gate and Still as a Mountain, Powerful as Thunder.

Other events during the day will include powerful Shaolin Martial Arts/kung fu demonstrations with secret techniques and training tips revealed by authentic Shaolin Warrior Monks; a dialog with the Shaolin Temple’s Abbot Shi Yong Xin, along with a preview of his autobiography; and a second panel discussion on Shaolin’s cultural heritage and its influence on popular culture today.

Tickets are $20 per person through May 14th, after which the price will be $25 per person online or at the door. Groups of 10 or more will have a fixed price of $20 per person. A limited number of seats are available, so tickets should be ordered by visiting www.shaolinunited.com or calling 310-358-3136.

The event is being produced by the non-profit Shaolin Association of North America in association with the Shaolin Temple of China to enlighten people and generate further support of the Temple’s basic philosophy of bringing compassion and health into the world that empower people through non-sectarian practices.

Event sponsors include Orb Media Group, East West Bank, Kung Fu Magazine and United Studios of Self Defense. For further tax-deductible sponsorship information by corporations, organizations and individuals, contact Robert Wu at 310-358-3187 or Robert@orbmediagroup.com. A similar event is being planned for New York on May 23rd in association with the Asia Society (www.asiasociety.org).

About the Shaolin Temple

The Shaolin Temple of China has persevered through 1,500 years of evolution, affected by invasions, wars and revolutions, dynasties and more. Shaolin became the most famous Buddhist temple in China and grew into a center of philosophy, history, mathematics, martial arts and poetry. Today, Shaolin’s powerful influence in these areas is still felt. The Temple has also continued its unbroken cultural and philanthropic initiatives, including work with orphans and other charitable endeavors, large scale performances and demonstrations, preservation and teaching of its core practices in martial arts, health/healing and the arts, and many international cultural and educational initiatives.

For tickets and more information: www.shaolinunited.com.