It's the third time that the Shaolin Monks will be performing in Malta. What is so different this time?
Shaolin Monks are touring since 1995 worldwide. They have played more than 4,000 shows in front of more than 4 million people in 4 continents. The first 2 times in Malta, they played a show called “The best of Chinas Monasteries”, presenting the best martial arts of the Shaolin Monks.

This time the show is called “The holy mountain” presenting the story of the Indian monk Tamo, who is the founder of Zen Buddhism and who went to China to reform Buddhism. This happened 1,500 years ago and is the basic idea of the show. For the first time Indian Kalari fighters (this is the oldest marshal art in the world, approximately 5,000 years old, will perform together with the Shaolin Monks. We will show that the roots of many Shaolin exercises are in the Indian Kalaripayattu marshal art and it is very interesting to watch differences and similarities in the Indian and the Chinese martial arts.

Is it the first time that the monks will be performing on stage together with the Indian fighters?
The show “The holy mountain” started in January 2008 in Vienna, where the Kalari fighters went on stage for the first time with Shaolin Monks. Meanwhile they have been performing more than 100 shows in different countries. In Malta it will be the first time that they are on stage together.

If you were to rate both the Shaolin Monks and the Indian fighters, how would you rate them?
Kalaripayattu has been forbidden by the British government of India for hundreds of years. It was only drafted secretly in the underground. About 50 years ago when the British left India, Kalaripayattu was established again and slowly some schools started to teach Kalaripayattu again. We have to understand that Kalaripayattu, Yoga and Ayurveda have the same roots. It is a sound mind in a sound body. So it is similar to the Chinese where Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the knowledge of the physical body are basic of all Kung Fu. Shaolin Monks and Shaolin Kong Fu are much more popular all over the world, but in a few years I am sure that Kalaripayattu will be as popular as Shaolin Kung Fu.

What is the difference in training compared to many years ago?
I think training methods have not changed. Since many many years it is the toughest training you can imagine. In schools with up to 10,000 students Shaolin students are taught 7 days a week, 10 hours a day to get their bodies in a good shape.

Are the Shaolin Monks considered to be the inventors of martial arts?
There is a Chinese saying that “all martial arts have been created under the sun of Shaolin”. Our show “The holy mountain” shows that this is not really true because Kalaripayattu elements were used by the Shaolin Monks.

The founder of Shaolin Kong Fu and Zen Buddhism, the Indian Monk Buddidharma who was called Tamo by the Chinese was actually an Indian Monk and was a master of Kalaripayattu. So you find many elements of Kalaripayattu in the Shaolin movements and exercises. Referring to Indian training, Yoga is part of the basic part of Kalaripayattu. From childhood on the Yoga movements are taught to the Kalari students and one brunch which is very similar is the traditional Indian dance, but this will not be part of our show.

How much time is spent in training on a daily basis?
As well the Shaolin Monks as the Indian Kalari fighters train 7 days a week, for a few hours every day. Kalaripayattu is a though training taught inside in a small room and it is very dangerous as they use really dangerous weapons.

What changes has the monastery seen along the years in cultures and traditions?
The monastery has a 1,500-year-old history. Many times it was destroyed and rebuilt, burned down and rebuilt and nowadays after the Cultural Revolution, it is one of the most important touristic spots in Henan province in the heart of China. They have more than 2 million visitors from China, mainly Buddhists who go there to see the old temple and the Monks. In the last years it has been completely restored in the original way. The Monks who live in the monastery make their religions services from 5 o’clock in the afternoon, when the monastery closes for the public.

Are the monks considered to have special powers? Healing etc?
The Shaolin Monks are all masters of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Part of the education is the knowledge of the human body, the knowledge of the flow of energy in every human body called QI. So many of the old Monks heal not only themselves, but people who come to the monastery with serious problems.

What kind of test does a person go through before being accepted as a monk?
Before you become a Monk you have to be not only in a good physical condition, but you have to be able to follow the strict rules of Tamo, the founder of Zen Buddhism. These rules are very hard especially for young people and these rules have to be followed as long as the Monks stay in the monastery. They can at every moment decide to step out and live a “normal” life.

Are all monks trained in martial arts?
The exercises of Kung Fu are body exercises against the stiffness after long meditation. So all Shaolin Monks know basic Kung Fu exercises mainly to keep their body in good shape, but the hard exercises of Kung Fu like breaking bricks, iron bars and sticks on your body, is a special physical training that not all of the Monks do.

Is it a dying tradition?
No, it is not a dying tradition. Thousands of young people attend the schools around the monastery, but only those who have the physical and mental abilities can become a Monk. Kung Fu as well as Tai Ji are basic exercises that are taught in all Chinese schools and it is as popular as soccer in Europe or skiing in Austria. Of course not every Chinese, who is training Kung Fu in school will become a Monk, but everyone knows about Shaolin Kung Fu and the special abilities of the monks in the Henan province.

What or who keeps the tradition alive?
China is completely different than the western world. It keeps its traditions high and it takes care of the old people and tries to participate in the wisdom and knowledge of the past generations. It is an honour to find a master who teaches you the traditional Chinese medicine, the movements of Tai Ji or the exercises of Kung Fu. So China’s traditions will be awake and part of China’s life even in the current industrial revolution.
 

The Holy Mountain will be held on November 6, 7 and 8 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.

For reservations call MCC on 2559 5750/1 or send an email to bookings@mcc.com.mt. The MCC box office is open Monday to Friday from 1000h to 1300h and from 1700h to 1900h. On Saturday the office is open from 1000h to 1300h. The box office in Gozo can be reached on 2155 8266 or 7981 5541.

 Click here to participate in a weekly competition with a chance of winning tickets for the show.

Related websites

• www.holymountaininmalta.com

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