A former warrior monk from the famous Shaolin Temple turned to making short videos for online platforms after leaving the temple, allowing more people around the world to understand and appreciate authentic Chinese kung fu.
After a decade of training, Shi Yanpei left the Shaolin Temple and re-emerged as an actor and an ambassador for the promotion of kung-fu. He said that leaving the monastery was the beginning of a larger journey.
"I'm Shi Yanpei, I'm 25. I started kung fu at 12, entered Shaolin at 15, and trained there for 10 years. Now I've left to reach more young people -- as a creator and an actor," Shi said.
With over two million followers on short video platforms, Shi said that merging centuries-old Chinese martial arts with contemporary acting is the best way to make kung fu thrive in today's world.
In an interview with China Global Television Network, Shi recalled the training days at Shaolin Temple, where strict discipline was intertwined with deep Chinese philosophy and tradition.
"Every day we woke to the sound of our masters' wooden temple blocks, then ran into the mountains. Every trail held our sweat. It was painful -- every muscle. But Shaolin wasn't just about fighting. It taught self-cultivation and deep Chinese traditions," he said.
Shaolin taught Shi to fight without anger, to move with purpose, and to carry the essence of kung fu in every action. The Chinese kung fu tradition, Shi said, is that weapons extend the body, never the ego.
With his remarkable kung fu skills and the wisdom embedded in martial arts, Shi and his team have performed across the globe. Every international performance has been met with standing ovations.
"I've performed in the U.S., France, even Africa, Switzerland, and Egypt. Every time I bring Chinese kung fu to a new place, I feel proud and grateful," Shi said.
Former Shaolin monk promotes Chinese kung fu through online videos, performances
