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Article: Fight club: the Shaolin monk show delivers action-packed kung fu entertainment to audiences around the world. But the martial art is as much about serenity and contemplation, as speed and aggression. (Shaolin monks).
- Article from:
- Geographical
- Article date:
- June 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Circle Publishing Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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EMPTY FOREVER DOES NOT LOOK LIKE JEAN CLAUDE Van Damme. He is feminine, almost androgynous. That is, until he strikes the eagle pose. Instantaneously, the 36-year-old Shaolin monk is transformed into a warrior. The lightning speed of his movements makes you wonder if Van Damme, with all his brawn and flashy showman kicks, would stand a chance.
His real name is Shi Yongchuan; `Empty Forever' is his monk name. He is one of about 80 monks in the Shaolin temple, located some 60 kilometres south of the ancient Chinese capital of Luoyang, in the province of Henan.
Yongchuan lives in a small room just outside the temple compound, where some workers are busy ...