A Richmond-based Buddhist organization has kicked off a fundraising campaign to build its first temple in North America.
The Shaolin Temple & Cultural Centre of Canada announced this week that it has started fundraising for a temple in the Lower Mainland, which would also be its third in the world.
The Shaolin Temple in Henan, China is a renowned monastic institution, recognized as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin Kung Fu. Built in 495 AD, it has more than 1,500 years of experience.
“I moved to Richmond five years ago with a goal to build a Shaolin Temple here in Canada and introduce Shaolin culture and Kung Fu to Canadians. I’m glad that this is happening now,” said Yandi Shi, headmaster of the centre, who joined Shaolin Temple in China at the age of eight.
Over the past few years, Shi and another master from China set up a two-storey office on No. 5 Road as a temporary base for people in Metro Vancouver to learn about and practice Chan Buddhism.
The centre also offers meditation and Kung Fu classes, but Shi said the centre doesn’t serve the same function as a temple.
“A temple can benefit people here in Canada for thousands of years,” said Shi.
“It can welcome more visitors and host more masters, provides a better environment to spread the Shaolin culture and benefit the mental and physical health of more people,” said Shi.
Kung Fu school in the works
The scale of the temple will depend on the funds raised. The Shaolin Temple is expected to include a temple, accommodations for masters and volunteers, a Shaolin Chinese traditional medicine clinic, a Kung Fu school and even senior housing, according to Shi.
“It will be a long-term project that takes decades to complete. We hope to build a functional construction in the first 10 years and then continue to expand it in the years to come,” he said.
There are some potential locations for the temple on land owned by donors, including one in Mission and one in Chilliwack, and Shi said he hopes more location options, including Richmond, will be made available by donors.
“We hope more people can contribute to it because the temple will benefit everyone,” said Shi, adding that the centre will host a fundraising gala in November.
The only Shaolin Temple that’s been built outside of China is in Zambia and there are more than 200 Shaolin culture centres in more than 80 countries. Shi said the temple is non-political.
